As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Programming Developer in the United States is $118,310 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $57.
However, a Programming Developer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Programming Developer'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 Programming Developer'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 Programming Developer | $115,978 |
| Intermediate Level Programming Developer | $116,252 |
| Senior Level Programming Developer | $117,350 |
| Specialist Level Programming Developer | $121,928 |
| Expert Level Programming Developer | $124,127 |
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 Programming Developers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 6.29% |
| Application Development | 2.96% |
| HTML | 1.79% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Python
|
$120,676 |
2%
|
|
Presentation
|
$120,676 |
2%
|
|
Agile
|
$119,493 |
1%
|
|
Software Development
|
$119,493 |
1%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$119,493 |
1%
|
|
Team Development
|
$119,493 |
1%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Programming Developers 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 Programming Developer with a Associate's Degree is between $113,417 and $120,234).
Programming Developer Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 1.8% |
| High School | 4.0% |
| Associates | 10.1% |
| Bachelors | 57.9% |
| Masters | 25.3% |
| Doctorate | 0.8% |
Understanding how a Programming Developer'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 Programming Developer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $114,329 in 2023 to around $112,712 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Programming Developer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $114,329 |
| 2024 | $113,857 |
| 2025 | $112,712 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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