A computer programmer working in the US can earn a salary of $61,080 per year. While in Canada, the computer programmer salary stands at C$53,223 ($41,031) per year, and in the UK it barely gets at £30,528 ($39,876) every year.
The same professional makes AU$62,065 ($43,902) each year, while those living in Switzerland win CHF105,659 ($106,270) every year. Finally, in Norway, a person with the computer programmer job can make up to NOK779,130 ($94,118) per year.
Computer Programmer Salary Influencers
A computer programmer salary may vary according to several key factors such as demographic area, experience, and industry. The information we have gathered below is mainly from Payscale.com, SalaryExpert.com, and BLS.
1. Industry
Depending on the industry and the job’s profile, the mean wages can vary. Furthermore, there are additional factors that can influence a computer programmer’s salary like experience in the field and the nature of the contract.
As per statistical spread, a computer programmer employed in the finance and insurance sector earns the highest wage, whereas the Utility sector pays less.
2. Geographical Area
| Computer Programmer Salary | US | Canada | UK | Australia | Switzerland | Norway |
| Hourly Wage | $21.29 | C$20.52 ($15.82) | £15.00 (£19.59) | AU$32.50 ($22.99) | CHF51 ($51.29) | NOK375 ($45.30) |
| Annual Wage | $61,080 | C$53,223 ($41,031) | £30,528 ($39,876) | AU$62,065 ($43,902) | CHF105,659 ($106,270) | NOK779,130 ($94,118) |
Computer Programmer Salary in the US
These are some of the highest paying states for people with the computer programmer job:
- California – $92,170 per year;
- Virginia – $91,960 per year;
- Texas – $86,660 per year;
- Georgia – $83,590 per year;
If you’re currently seeking employment as a computer programmer, you should definitely avoid these states as they have the lowest payment rates in the country. Note that the states listed below are not in any particular order:
- Puerto Rico – $44,460 per year;
- North Dakota – $55,530 per year;
- Mississippi – $66,210 per year;
- South Dakota – $53,520 per year;
- West Virginia – $64, 860 per year.
Computer Programmer Salary by State
| State | Annual Mean Wage ($) |
|---|---|
| Alabama | 83,190 |
| Alaska | 95,630 |
| Arizona | 82,400 |
| Arkansas | 70,310 |
| California | 92.170 |
| Colorado | 87,770 |
| Connecticut | 80,740 |
| Delaware | 83,430 |
| Florida | 75,900 |
| Georgia | 83,590 |
| Hawaii | 73,400 |
| Idaho | 66,620 |
| Illinois | 77,360 |
| Indiana | 67,760 |
| Iowa | 70,560 |
| Kansas | 68,680 |
| Kentucky | 69,370 |
| Louisiana | 67,720 |
| Maine | 64,980 |
| Maryland | 91,470 |
| Massachusetts | 95,370 |
| Michigan | 73,400 |
| Minnesota | 81,540 |
| Mississippi | 66,210 |
| Missouri | 78,830 |
| Montana | 63,610 |
| Nebraska | 74,110 |
| Nevada | 77,050 |
| New Hampshire | 74,010 |
| New Jersey | 91,310 |
| New Mexico | 101,190 |
| New York | 88,010 |
| North Carolina | 82,410 |
| North Dakota | 55,530 |
| Ohio | 69,920 |
| Oklahoma | 67,680 |
| Oregon | 77,240 |
| Pennsylvania | 78,830 |
| Rhode Island | 76,970 |
| South Carolina | 72,260 |
| South Dakota | 53,250 |
| Tennessee | 70,840 |
| Texas | 86,660 |
| Utah | 76,180 |
| Vermont | 65,350 |
| Virginia | 91,960 |
| Washington | 119,040 |
| West Virginia | 64,860 |
| Wisconsin | 73,830 |
| Wyoming | 60,400 |
Computer Programmer Salary in Canada
A computer programmer working in Canada wins around C$53,223 per year, meaning C$20.52 per hour. Meanwhile, the total annual salary ranges from C$35,021 to C$81,227 every year.
Computer Programmer Salary in the UK
In the UK, computer programmers make about £30,528 per year, while the hourly rate is at £15.00. These professionals also make bonuses of up to £9,696 every year, and profit sharings ranging between £201 and £19,866, while the total annual registers between £18,544 and £60,437.
Computer Programmer Salary in Australia
The computer programmer salary in Australia stands at AU$62,065 per year, with an hourly rate of AU$32.50. They also receive bonuses of up to AU$49,316 per year, and overtime pay of about AU$29.25 per hour. With the total median salary per year ranges from AU$41,602 to AU$107,164.
Computer Programmer Salary in Switzerland
In Switzerland, computer programmers win CHF105,659 every year, while the hourly rate stands at CHF51, and bonuses they make can be of CHF4,036 each year.
Computer Programmer Salary in Norway
Computer programmers working in Norway make NOK779,130 per year. While the hourly rate is NOK375 and bonuses can go up to NOK29,763 every year.
3. Experience
Like in the case of any other occupations, the more experience you have in a specific field, the more chances you have of securing a well-payed job. Moreover, it’s important to know that while for some job requirements a bachelor’s degree might be enough, some positions require either a two-year degree or other certifications.
You should also keep in mind that most employers seek to hire individuals who have a background in mathematics, computer sciences, physical sciences or engineering. Other studies which include accounting, general business, finance or higher mathematics are considered positive aspects in the hiring process as well.
An entry-level computer programmer from the US makes $52,000 per year, while the senior computer programmer wins about $89,000 every year. The same professionals just starting out their career in Canada win C$47,000 each year, while after an experience of 20 years they make C$72,000 per year.
Working Hours
A computer programmer works an average of 40 hours per week at an office equipped with a computer terminal. Since technology offers the possibility of working from remote locations, some computer programmers chose to work from home as well. Also, if you sign up for the computer programmer job you might have to work weekends as well to resolve various technical issues, while some computer programmers choose a part-time schedule.
Bonuses & Benefits Packages
Working as a computer programmer has any number of benefits, starting with the working hours, which can be negotiated with the employer. Another perk of working as an IT specialist and getting the computer programmer salary is to not necessarily have to work from the office since many companies have an open policy when it comes to working with remote access.
As far as bonuses go, based on the job’s requirements, experience, and the industry, a computer programmer can earn from $95.62 to $10,362 in the US. While they can also win a commision of $1,000 per year, and up to $12,438 in profit sharing. A computer programmer living in Canada can make up to C$9,906 in bonuses, and up to C$14,795 per year in profit sharing.
Moreover, these professionals also get access to a medical insurance plan for occupational hazard. Concerning retirement plans, this aspect is not entirely clear, being subjected to negotiation.
Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the computer programmer job market is currently following a steady trend, but by 2026, it will decline by approximately 7 percent. Furthermore, according to the same forecast, the employment chance predicted for the 2016-2026 interval is -21,300. However, the good news is that this decline is only temporary and that the business is still lucrative.
Conclusion
To summarize the article, there are many perks associated with the position as a computer programmer. Depending on the state and the industry, the salary may vary accordingly. In theory, every aspect related to the position is opened to negotiation, which means that any candidate can shape his working environment. For prospective advancement, you should also look at the computer engineer salary.
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