Programming Associate Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Programming Associate in the United States is $50,989 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $25.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $61,753
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $44,465 to $56,623
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $38,524

Key Factors That Influence Programming Associate Salaries

A Programming Associate'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Programming Associate Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Programming Associate'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): $50,575
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $69,263
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $82,127
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $87,717
  • Expert (over 8 years): $98,364
Levels Salary
Programmi... Level Programming Associate$50,575
Non-Profi... Level Programming Associate$69,263
Non-Profi... Level Programming Associate$82,127
Non-Profi... Level Programming Associate$87,717
Non-Profi... Level Programming Associate$98,364

How Do Programming Associate 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 Associates. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $56,455.
  • California: $56,241.
  • Massachusetts: $55,492.

Top Paying Cities for Programming Associates

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: $64,313
  • San Francisco: $63,609
  • Oakland: $62,268

What Skills Can Increase a Programming Associate's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 9.38% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • Programming (Mentioned in 3.18% Job Postings): Executing logic to facilitate computing operations and functionality in one or more languages.
  • Word Processing (Mentioned in 1.77% Job Postings): word processing, operation in which a text-editing software program called a word processor is used to create a document on a computer. A word-processing system can produce a wide variety of documents, including letters, memoranda, and manuals, rapidly and at relatively low cost.
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 9.38%
Programming 3.18%
Word Processing 1.77%

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 Associate's salary.

  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 22%.
  • Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 22%.
  • PowerPoint: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Analysis $62,207
22%
Presentation $62,207
22%
PowerPoint $60,167
18%

Programming Associate Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Programming Associate roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Programming Associate positions in Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Programming Associate as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Programming Associate

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$61,187$29.020%

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

Understanding how a Programming Associate'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
$44,465
Average $50,989/year
$56,623
$3,705
Average $4,249/month
$4,719
$855
Average $981/week
$1,089
$21
Average $25/hour
$27
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $56,623 $4,719 $1,089 $27
Average $50,989 $4,249 $981 $25
25th Percentile $44,465 $3,705 $855 $21

Most common benefits for Programming Associate

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

Common company salaries for Programming Associate

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

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FAQ about Programming Associate

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

The Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit industry offers the highest average compensation for Programming Associate roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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.)

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