Computer Graphics Programmer Salary in the United States

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

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Computer Graphics Programmer in the United States is $67,841 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $78,763
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $61,308 to $73,558
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $55,359
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2025 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered HR
Recruit with AI
View as table View as graph 25% $61,308 10% $55,359 90% $78,763 75% $73,558 $67,841 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Computer Graphics Programmer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $73,558 $6,130 $1,415 $35
Average $67,841 $5,653 $1,305 $33
25th Percentile $61,308 $5,109 $1,179 $29
Check out Computer Graphics 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

Search More Computer Graphics Programmer Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Computer Graphics Programmer Salaries

A Computer Graphics 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 Computer Graphics Programmer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Computer Graphics 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): $67,841
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $68,477
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $69,838
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $70,110
  • Expert (over 8 years): $70,292
Levels Salary
Entry Level Computer Graphics Programmer$67,841
Intermediate Level Computer Graphics Programmer$68,477
Senior Level Computer Graphics Programmer$69,838
Specialist Level Computer Graphics Programmer$70,110
Expert Level Computer Graphics Programmer$70,292
$67,841 0 yr
$68,477 < 2 yrs
$69,838 2-4 yrs
$70,110 5-8 yrs
$70,292 > 8 yrs
View as Table
View as Graph

What Am I Worth?

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

  • District of Columbia: $75,114.
  • California: $74,829.
  • Massachusetts: $73,832.

Top Paying Cities for Computer Graphics 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: $85,568
  • San Francisco: $84,727
  • Oakland: $82,848

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 16.59% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 1.61% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
  • CPA (Mentioned in 1.02% Job Postings): A CPA, or Certified Public Accountant, is a trusted financial advisor who helps individuals, businesses, and other organizations plan and reach their financial goals.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 16.59%
Microsoft Office 1.61%
CPA 1.02%
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 Computer Graphics Programmer's salary.
  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Financial Management: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Project Management
$70,555
4%
Financial Management
$70,555
4%
Insight
$69,877
3%
Financial Services
$69,877
3%
Collaboration
$69,877
3%
Economics
$69,198
2%
Get Latest Data

How Education impacts a Computer Graphics Programmer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Computer Graphics 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 Computer Graphics Programmer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $64,535 and $67,849).

Computer Graphics Programmer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Computer Graphics Programmer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.2%
High School 1.9%
Associates 3.1%
Bachelors 65.9%
Masters 28.2%
Doctorate 0.7%
view as graph

Computer Graphics Programmer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Computer Graphics 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 Computer Graphics Programmer

Salaries for a Computer Graphics Programmer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $64,294 in 2023 to around $63,252 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Computer Graphics Programmer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Computer Graphics Programmer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$64,294
2024
$63,785
2025
$63,252
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $64,294
2024 $63,785
2025 $63,252
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Computer Graphics Programmer

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
For Employers

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.

Compensation Planning

Common company salaries for Computer Graphics Programmer

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

Find Your Next Computer Graphics Programmer Job

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

United States
For Employees

Get a Salary Increase

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Search Job Openings

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

For Employers

Adjust Employee Salary

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Price My Industry Jobs

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst