Freelance Computer Programmer Salary in the United States

How much does a Freelance Computer Programmer make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Freelance Computer Programmer in the United States is $92,761 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $45.

However, a Freelance Computer Programmer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $105,217
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $81,956 to $99,281
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $72,119
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View as table View as graph 25% $81,956 10% $72,119 90% $105,217 75% $99,281 $92,761 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Freelance Computer Programmer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $99,281 $8,273 $1,909 $48
Average $92,761 $7,730 $1,784 $45
25th Percentile $81,956 $6,830 $1,576 $39
Check out Freelance Computer Programmer Job Openings in the United States
Computer Programmer

ORBIS INC. - SAN DIEGO, CA

Mid Computer Programmer

Prescient Edge - BETHESDA, MD

Mid Computer Programmer

Prescient Edge - NORFOLK, VA

Senior Computer Programmer

Prescient Edge - NORFOLK, VA

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Key Factors That Influence Freelance Computer Programmer Salaries

A Freelance Computer Programmer'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 Freelance Computer Programmer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Freelance Computer Programmer'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $92,461
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $95,448
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $99,020
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $99,542
  • Expert (over 8 years): $99,804
Levels Salary
Entry Level Freelance Computer Programmer$92,461
Intermediate Level Freelance Computer Programmer$95,448
Senior Level Freelance Computer Programmer$99,020
Specialist Level Freelance Computer Programmer$99,542
Expert Level Freelance Computer Programmer$99,804
$92,461 0 yr
$95,448 < 2 yrs
$99,020 2-4 yrs
$99,542 5-8 yrs
$99,804 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Freelance Computer Programmer 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 Freelance Computer Programmers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $102,705.
  • California: $102,315.
  • Massachusetts: $100,952.

Top Paying Cities for Freelance Computer Programmers

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: $117,000
  • San Francisco: $115,849
  • Oakland: $113,280

What Skills Can Increase a Freelance Computer Programmer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Presentation (Mentioned in 5.93% Job Postings): Presentation conveys information from a speaker to an audience. Presentations are typically demonstrations, introduction, lecture, or speech meant to inform, persuade, inspire, motivate, build goodwill, or present a new idea/product.
  • PowerPoint (Mentioned in 2.5% Job Postings): A computer software created by Microsoft which allows the user to create slides with recordings, narrations, transitions and other features in order to present information.
  • Economics (Mentioned in 1.09% Job Postings): Economics is a social science that focuses on the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, and analyzes the choices that individuals, businesses, governments, and nations make to allocate resources.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Presentation 5.93%
PowerPoint 2.5%
Economics 1.09%
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 Freelance Computer Programmer's salary.
  • Business Model: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Financial Statements: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Bond: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Business Model
$99,254
7%
Financial Statements
$99,254
7%
Bond
$98,327
6%
Financial Modeling
$98,327
6%
Capital Market
$97,399
5%
Project Management
$97,399
5%
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How Education impacts a Freelance Computer Programmer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Freelance Computer Programmers enter the field with a Bachelor'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 Freelance Computer Programmer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $91,546 and $100,074).

Freelance Computer Programmer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Freelance Computer Programmer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.4%
High School 2.4%
Associates 5.9%
Bachelors 70.6%
Masters 21.2%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Freelance Computer Programmer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Freelance Computer Programmer'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 January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Freelance Computer Programmer

Salaries for a Freelance Computer Programmer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $71,845 in 2023 to around $71,709 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Freelance Computer Programmer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Freelance Computer Programmer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$71,845
2024
$72,043
2025
$71,709
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $71,845
2024 $72,043
2025 $71,709
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Freelance Computer Programmer

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Freelance Computer Programmer

Here are companies hiring for Freelance Computer Programmer and their salaries, click below for more details.

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Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Freelance Computer Programmer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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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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