Automation Programmer Salary in the United States

How much does an Automation Programmer make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for an Automation Programmer in the United States is $70,452 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $34.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $91,151
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $63,121 to $81,287
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $56,446
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View as table View as graph 25% $63,121 10% $56,446 90% $91,151 75% $81,287 $70,452 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Automation Programmer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $81,287 $6,774 $1,563 $39
Average $70,452 $5,871 $1,355 $34
25th Percentile $63,121 $5,260 $1,214 $30
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Key Factors That Influence Automation Programmer Salaries

An Automation 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 Automation Programmer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Automation 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): $67,092
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $67,601
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $72,208
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $80,219
  • Expert (over 8 years): $80,753
Levels Salary
Entry Level Automation Programmer$67,092
Intermediate Level Automation Programmer$67,601
Senior Level Automation Programmer$72,208
Specialist Level Automation Programmer$80,219
Expert Level Automation Programmer$80,753
$67,092 0 yr
$67,601 < 2 yrs
$72,208 2-4 yrs
$80,219 5-8 yrs
$80,753 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Automation 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: $88,861
  • San Francisco: $87,988
  • Oakland: $86,036

What Skills Can Increase an Automation Programmer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Problem Solving (Mentioned in 5.36% Job Postings): Analyzing and identifying the root cause of problems and applying critical thinking skills to solve problems.
  • Career Development (Mentioned in 1.79% Job Postings): Refers to the process an individual may undergo to evolve their occupational status. It is the process of making decisions for long term learning, to align personal needs of physical or psychological fulfillment with career advancement opportunities.
  • Business Administration (Mentioned in 1.19% Job Postings): It is the management of all aspects of a business's performance, decisions, and organization. It includes the day to day operations, aspects including finances and human resources, and ensures the company stays aligned to the goal or mission.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Problem Solving 5.36%
Career Development 1.79%
Business Administration 1.19%
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 an Automation Programmer's salary.
  • Visio: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Data Integrity: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Python: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Visio
$79,611
13%
Data Integrity
$76,088
8%
Python
$75,384
7%
Sustainability
$74,679
6%
Java
$74,679
6%
Object Oriented Programming
$74,679
6%
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How Education impacts an Automation Programmer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Automation 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 Automation Programmer with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $72,281 and $77,748).

Automation Programmer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Automation Programmer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 23.5%
High School 23.5%
Associates 17.6%
Bachelors 41.2%
Masters 17.6%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Automation Programmer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Automation 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 Automation Programmer

Salaries for an Automation Programmer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $57,229 in 2023 to around $57,103 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Automation Programmer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Automation Programmer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$57,229
2024
$57,472
2025
$57,103
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
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2023 $57,229
2024 $57,472
2025 $57,103
2026
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2027
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Most common benefits for Automation Programmer

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

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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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