As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for an IT Programmer in the United States is $75,644 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.
However, an IT Programmer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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An IT 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.
Experience is a primary driver of an IT 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level IT Programmer | $74,892 |
| Intermediate Level IT Programmer | $75,379 |
| Senior Level IT Programmer | $76,707 |
| Specialist Level IT Programmer | $76,972 |
| Expert Level IT Programmer | $77,150 |
What Am I Worth?
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 IT Programmers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 5.17% |
| C# | 2.77% |
| Programming Language | 1.92% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Project Management
|
$83,965 |
11%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$82,452 |
9%
|
|
Oracle
|
$80,940 |
7%
|
|
Organizational Skills
|
$80,940 |
7%
|
|
Scheduling
|
$80,940 |
7%
|
|
Initiative
|
$80,940 |
7%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many IT Programmers enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an IT Programmer with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $56,357 and $61,749).
IT Programmer Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 8.3% |
| High School | 8.3% |
| Associates | 8.3% |
| Bachelors | 64.6% |
| Masters | 18.8% |
| Doctorate | 0.0% |
Understanding how an IT 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, 2026Salaries for an IT Programmer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $80,188 in 2023 to around $79,489 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of IT Programmer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $80,188 |
| 2024 | $79,980 |
| 2025 | $79,489 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
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