How Much Does a Programming Engineer Make in Houston, TX ? (2026 Salary Guide)

Programming Engineer Salary in Houston, TX

As of March 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Programming Engineer in Houston, TX is $141,860, equivalent to $68 per hour, $2,728 weekly, or $11,822 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Programming Engineer in cities like Santa Clara, San Jose, and Fremont.

Annually Salaries for Programming Engineer in Houston, TX vary widely, spanning from $120,286 to $165,003. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($130,567) and 75th percentile ($153,974), while top earners (90th percentile) make $165,003 per year. This $23,407 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Analysis or Software Development, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.

Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, Houston Programming Engineer often earn 2.3% lower than national averages. However, Houston currently ranks 356 statewide for Programming Engineer job salary. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.

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Programming Engineer Salaries by Percentile
Percentile Salary Location Last Updated
10th Percentile Programming Engineer Salary $120,286 Houston, TX March 01, 2026
25th Percentile Programming Engineer Salary $130,567 Houston, TX March 01, 2026
50th Percentile Programming Engineer Salary $141,860 Houston, TX March 01, 2026
75th Percentile Programming Engineer Salary $153,974 Houston, TX March 01, 2026
90th Percentile Programming Engineer Salary $165,003 Houston, TX March 01, 2026
25% $130,567 10% $120,286 90% $165,003 75% $153,974 $141,860 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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What is a Programming Engineer ?

Engineers, as practitioners of engineering, are professionals who invent, design, analyze, build, and test machines, systems, structures and materials to fulfill objectives and requirements while considering the limitations imposed by practicality, regulation, safety, and cost. The word engineer (Latin ingeniator) is derived from the Latin words ingeniare ("to create, generate, contrive, devise") and ingenium ("cleverness"). The foundational qualifications of an engineer typically include a four-year bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline, or in some jurisdictions, a master's degree in...

Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/18/2019). Read more from Wikipedia

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Job Openings for Programming Engineer in Houston, TX

Career Path for this job

  1. Down a level:

    Software Engineer II

    2 - 4 years experience
    Bachelor's Degree

  2. This Job:

    Programming Engineer

    4 - 7 years experience
    Bachelor's Degree

  3. Up a level:

    Software Engineer IV

    7 + years experience
    Bachelor's Degree

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Understand the total compensation opportunity for a Programming Engineer, base salary plus other pay elements

Average Base Salary

Core compensation

 
 
 
130567
153974
141860

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
142077
174291
157401
These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of Programming Engineer in Houston, TX. The base salary for Programming Engineer ranges from $130,567 to $153,974 with the average base salary of $141,860. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $142,077 to $174,291 with the average total cash compensation of $157,401.

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130567
153974

 

About Houston, Texas    Houston is located 165 miles (266 km) east of Austin, 88 miles (142 km) west of the Louisiana border, and 250 miles (400 km) south of Dallas. The city....More

Houston, Texas  area prices were up 2.3% from a year ago

Programming Engineer Salary in popular cities: San Antonio, Dallas, Austin

Skills associated with Programming Engineer: Design, Machining

Recently searched related titles: Application Software Engineer, Controls Software Engineer, Delivery Software Engineer

Learn more about: Compensation Packages, Employee Flight Risk, Gender Pay Gap, Job Openings for This Role

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