Top 10 Highest Paying Cities for Computer Programmers

Find out which cities offer the best salaries for Computer Programmers. Data based on 2023 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage estimates.

Highest Paying City

$134,106

San Jose, CA

National Average

$98,023

Across 50 metros

Top 10 Minimum

$103,943

To rank in top 10

RankCityMedian SalaryHourly Ratevs. AverageDetails
1
San Jose, CA
Cost of Living: 179.8
$134,106$64.47/hr+36.8%View Details
2
San Francisco, CA
Cost of Living: 169.3
$128,475$61.77/hr+31.1%View Details
3
Boston, MA
Cost of Living: 148.4
$117,521$56.50/hr+19.9%View Details
4
Seattle, WA
Cost of Living: 149.6
$116,790$56.15/hr+19.1%View Details
5
New York, NY
Cost of Living: 128.7
$114,317$54.96/hr+16.6%View Details
6
Washington, DC
Cost of Living: 140.1
$112,739$54.20/hr+15.0%View Details
7
San Diego, CA
Cost of Living: 142.8
$109,050$52.43/hr+11.2%View Details
8
Los Angeles, CA
Cost of Living: 146.3
$108,889$52.35/hr+11.1%View Details
9
Denver, CO
Cost of Living: 118.4
$107,652$51.76/hr+9.8%View Details
10
Austin, TX
Cost of Living: 105.3
$103,943$49.97/hr+6.0%View Details

Frequently Asked Questions

What city pays Computer Programmers the most?

San Jose, CA pays Computer Programmers the most, with a median salary of $134,106 per year.

What is the average Computer Programmer salary across all cities?

The average Computer Programmer salary across all 50 major US metro areas is $98,023 per year.

Should I consider cost of living when comparing salaries?

Yes! Cities like San Francisco and New York pay higher salaries, but also have higher costs of living. A $80,000 salary in a city with 90 cost of living index has more purchasing power than$100,000 in a city with 150 cost of living index.