As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Junior Software Programmer in the United States is $81,260 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $39.
However, a Junior Software Programmer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Junior Software 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 a Junior Software 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 Junior Software Programmer | $80,258 |
| Intermediate Level Junior Software Programmer | $80,967 |
| Senior Level Junior Software Programmer | $82,431 |
| Specialist Level Junior Software Programmer | $82,724 |
| Expert Level Junior Software Programmer | $82,919 |
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 Junior Software Programmers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 5.21% |
| Oracle | 3.41% |
| Debugging | 1.8% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Process Improvement
|
$94,261 |
16%
|
|
Innovation
|
$91,823 |
13%
|
|
Enterprise Applications
|
$90,198 |
11%
|
|
Decision Making
|
$89,386 |
10%
|
|
Project Management
|
$89,386 |
10%
|
|
Project Design
|
$88,573 |
9%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Junior Software Programmers 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 Junior Software Programmer with a Associate's Degree is between $66,963 and $72,165).
Junior Software Programmer Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 8.3% |
| High School | 75.0% |
| Associates | 8.3% |
| Bachelors | 75.0% |
| Masters | 16.7% |
| Doctorate | 0.0% |
Understanding how a Junior Software 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 a Junior Software Programmer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $77,925 in 2023 to around $77,744 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Junior Software Programmer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $77,925 |
| 2024 | $78,230 |
| 2025 | $77,744 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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