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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Programmer in Illinois is $73,519 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $35.
However, a Programmer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Programmer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $79,367 | $6,614 | $1,526 | $38 |
| Average | $73,519 | $6,127 | $1,414 | $35 |
| 25th Percentile | $69,462 | $5,788 | $1,336 | $33 |
Darwill, Inc. - Hillside, IL
Thermon - Franklin Park, IL
CHG Group, Inc - Downers Grove, IL
Federal Signal - Streator, IL
A 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a 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 |
|---|---|
| Programme... Level Programmer | $73,090 |
| Applicati... Level Programmer | $95,440 |
| Applicati... Level Programmer | $122,822 |
| Applicati... Level Programmer | $143,950 |
| Applicati... Level Programmer | $167,302 |
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 Programmers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Programmer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 65% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 35% above the average. In contrast, Programmer positions in Construction or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Programmer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $99,251 | $48.0 | 35% |
| Financial Services | $95,575 | $46.0 | 30% |
| Biotechnology | $91,899 | $44.0 | 25% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $88,223 | $42.0 | 20% |
| Energy & Utilities | $84,547 | $41.0 | 15% |
Understanding how a 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $79,367 | $6,614 | $1,526 | $38 |
| Average | $73,519 | $6,127 | $1,414 | $35 |
| 25th Percentile | $69,462 | $5,788 | $1,336 | $33 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Programmer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
ERA Industries
Elk Grove Village, IL
ERA Industries | Elk Grove Village, IL
Job Title. Understands and can interpret customer drawings, parts lists, ECOs, including GD&T. Experience operating, programming and maintaining a CMM. Exp... more
6 Days Ago
Actalent
Northbrook, IL
Actalent | Northbrook, IL
CNC Programmer. We are seeking a skilled CNC Programmer to create CNC programs and part drawings for various machine parts and tools, including CNC lathes ... more
7 Days Ago
Randstad
Elgin, IL
Randstad | Elgin, IL
CNC Programmer (Prototyping & Short-Run Specialist). A plastic manufacturer in Elgin, IL is searching for an experienced CNC Programmer. The CNC Programmer... more
7 Days Ago
TREND TECHNOLOGIES
Elk Grove Village, IL
TREND TECHNOLOGIES | Elk Grove Village, IL
Trend Technologies is a worldwide corporation specializing in the manufacture of sheet metal products and complex assemblies for many of the world's leadin... more
8 Days Ago
CalTek Staffing , Inc.
Cary, IL
CalTek Staffing , Inc. | Cary, IL
As CNC Setup Programmer, you will provide programming and manufacturing leadership to production cells through programming expertise, tooling usage specifi... more
8 Days Ago
Advanced Manufacturing Careers
Bedford Park, IL
Advanced Manufacturing Careers | Bedford Park, IL
OverviewWork Life Balance Stable Company CultureJob Title: Lathe ProgrammerLocation: Bedford Park, ILShift: Full-Time (40 hour work week with some OT as ne... more
8 Days Ago
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