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Graphical User Interface (GUI) Programmer I Salary in the United States

How much does a Graphical User Interface (GUI) Programmer I make in the United States?

As of November 01, 2026, the average salary for a Graphical User Interface (GUI) Programmer I in the United States is $73,490 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $35.

However, a Graphical User Interface (GUI) Programmer I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $88,583
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $69,290 to $81,390
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $65,466
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Key Factors That Influence Graphical User Interface (GUI) Programmer I Salaries

A Graphical User Interface (GUI) Programmer I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Graphical User Interface (GUI) Programmer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Graphical User Interface (GUI) Programmer I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Graphical User Interface (GUI) Programmer I (0-2 years): $73,491
  • Intermediate UI Programmer (2-4 years): $92,572
  • Senior UI Programmer (4-7 years): $107,972
  • Lead UI Programmer (7+ years): $135,470
  • Expert UI Programmer (7-10 years): $162,201
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Graphical User Interface (GUI) Programmer I0-2 years$73,491
Intermediate UI Programmer2-4 years$92,572
Senior UI Programmer4-7 years$107,972
Lead UI Programmer7+ years$135,470
Expert UI Programmer7-10 years$162,201

How Do Graphical User Interface (GUI) Programmer I Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Graphical User Interface (GUI) Programmer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $81,390.
  • California: $81,090.
  • Massachusetts: $79,990.

Top Paying Cities for Graphical User Interface (GUI) Programmer Is

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $92,690
  • San Francisco: $91,690
  • Oakland: $89,790

What Skills Can Increase a Graphical User Interface (GUI) Programmer I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 2.22% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • API (Mentioned in 3.65% Job Postings): An application programming interface is a way for two or more computer programs to communicate with each other. It is a type of software interface, offering a service to other pieces of software.
  • User Interface (Mentioned in 2.08% Job Postings): The user interface (UI) is the point of human-computer interaction and communication in a device. This can include display screens, keyboards, a mouse and the appearance of a desktop.
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 2.22%
API 3.65%
User Interface 2.08%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Graphical User Interface (GUI) Programmer I's salary.

  • Written Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Written Communication $76,430
4%
Leadership $75,695
3%
Innovation $75,695
3%

Graphical User Interface (GUI) Programmer I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Graphical User Interface (GUI) Programmer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $82,020. While startup companies pay approximate $69,467.

Graphical User Interface (GUI) Programmer I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $69,467
Growth Stage 51~500 $73,446
Established 501~5000 $79,197
Enterprise 5000+ $82,020

Graphical User Interface (GUI) Programmer I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Graphical User Interface (GUI) Programmer I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Graphical User Interface (GUI) Programmer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Graphical User Interface (GUI) Programmer I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Graphical User Interface (GUI) Programmer I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$95,537$46.030%
Software & Networking$91,862$44.025%
Energy & Utilities$88,188$42.020%
Pharmaceuticals$88,188$42.020%
Healthcare$84,514$41.015%

How Education impacts a Graphical User Interface (GUI) Programmer I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Graphical User Interface (GUI) Programmer Is enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Graphical User Interface (GUI) Programmer I with a Associate's Degree is between $66,035 and $69,702).

Graphical User Interface (GUI) Programmer I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Graphical User Interface (GUI) Programmer I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 3.8%
High School 3.8%
Associates 25.0%
Bachelors 61.5%
Masters 9.6%
Doctorate 0.0%

Graphical User Interface (GUI) Programmer I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Graphical User Interface (GUI) Programmer I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on November 01, 2026
$69,290
Average $73,490/year
$81,390
$5,774
Average $6,124/month
$6,783
$1,333
Average $1,413/week
$1,565
$33
Average $35/hour
$39
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $81,390 $6,783 $1,565 $39
Average $73,490 $6,124 $1,413 $35
25th Percentile $69,290 $5,774 $1,333 $33

Graphical User Interface (GUI) Programmer I Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Graphical User Interface (GUI) Programmer I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Intermediate UI Programmer role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $92,600 - a projected growth of 26% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Graphical User Interface (GUI) Programmer I

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Graphical User Interface (GUI) Programmer I

Here are companies hiring for Graphical User Interface (GUI) Programmer I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Graphical User Interface (GUI) Programmer I

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Graphical User Interface (GUI) Programmer I?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Graphical User Interface (GUI) Programmer I roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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