Programming Assistant Salary in the United States

How much does a Programming Assistant make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Programming Assistant in the United States is $52,486 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $25.

However, a Programming Assistant's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $63,081
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $46,686 to $58,032
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $41,405

Key Factors That Influence Programming Assistant Salaries

A Programming Assistant's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Programming Assistant 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 Programming Assistants. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $58,112.
  • California: $57,892.
  • Massachusetts: $57,121.

Top Paying Cities for Programming Assistants

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: $66,201
  • San Francisco: $65,476
  • Oakland: $64,096

What Skills Can Increase a Programming Assistant's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 11.77% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • PowerPoint (Mentioned in 2.58% Job Postings): A computer software created by Microsoft which allows the user to create slides with recordings, narrations, transitions and other features in order to present information.
  • Bookkeeping (Mentioned in 1.32% Job Postings): Bookkeeping is the recording of financial transactions, and is part of the process of accounting in business. Transactions include purchases, sales, receipts, and payments by an individual person or an organization/corporation. There are several standard methods of bookkeeping, including the single-entry and double-entry bookkeeping systems. While these may be viewed as "real" bookkeeping, any process for recording financial transactions is a bookkeeping process. Bookkeeping is the work of a bookkeeper (or book-keeper), who records the day-to-day financial transactions of a business. They usually write the daybooks (which contain records of sales, purchases, receipts, and payments), and document each financial transaction, whether cash or credit, into the correct daybook—that is, petty cash book, suppliers ledger, customer ledger, etc.—and the general ledger. Thereafter, an accountant can create financial reports from the information recorded by the bookkeeper.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 11.77%
PowerPoint 2.58%
Bookkeeping 1.32%

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 Programming Assistant's salary.

  • Financial Services: Can increase your salary by up to 19%.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Financial Services $62,458
19%
Analysis $57,210
9%
Project Management $56,160
7%

Programming Assistant Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Programming Assistant 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 Biotechnology and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Programming Assistant positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Programming Assistant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Programming Assistant

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$65,608$32.025%
Internet$62,983$30.020%
Software & Networking$62,983$30.020%
Energy & Utilities$60,359$29.015%
Aerospace & Defense$57,735$28.010%

How Education impacts a Programming Assistant's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Programming Assistants 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 a Programming Assistant with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $51,605 and $54,784).

Programming Assistant Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Programming Assistant
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.2%
High School 35.1%
Associates 20.5%
Bachelors 39.2%
Masters 3.9%
Doctorate 0.1%

Programming Assistant Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Programming Assistant'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 September 01, 2026
$46,686
Average $52,486/year
$58,032
$3,890
Average $4,374/month
$4,836
$898
Average $1,009/week
$1,116
$22
Average $25/hour
$28
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $58,032 $4,836 $1,116 $28
Average $52,486 $4,374 $1,009 $25
25th Percentile $46,686 $3,890 $898 $22

Most common benefits for Programming Assistant

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

Common company salaries for Programming Assistant

Here are companies hiring for Programming Assistant and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Programming Assistant

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Programming Assistant?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Programming Assistant roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

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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