Computer Programmer salary in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
Computer Programmers in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn a median of $106,420 a year ($51.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 780 workers.
Pay ranges from $70,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $178,840 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $100,390. Pay here is 15% lower than the Maryland statewide median of $125,570. There are 0.58 computer programmers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $117,960, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for computer programmers in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $70,330 | $33.81 |
| 25th percentile | $83,010 | $39.91 |
| Median | $106,420 | $51.16 |
| 75th percentile | $134,960 | $64.88 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $178,840 | $85.98 |
| Average (mean) | $117,960 | $56.71 |
Half of computer programmers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,868.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,434.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,093.08 |
| Weekly | $2,046.54 |
| Hourly | $51.16 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Computer Programmer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $130,390 | 2,680 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $112,990 | 110 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $101,420 | 1,770 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $90,040 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for computer programmers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $133,820 |
| Massachusetts | $128,390 |
| Washington | $125,620 |
| Maryland | $125,570 |
| Virginia | $121,610 |
| Hawaii | $118,180 |
| California | $116,760 |
| Arkansas | $111,840 |
| Minnesota | $107,250 |
| New Jersey | $104,940 |
See Computer Programmer pay in every state or the Maryland statewide figures.
Related jobs in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $138,900 | $66.78 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $135,600 | $65.19 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $108,980 | $52.40 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $62,950 | $30.26 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $102,980 | $49.51 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $122,950 | $59.11 |
| Information Security Analyst | $138,170 | $66.43 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $129,880 | $62.44 |
| Computer Network Architect | $160,340 | $77.09 |
| Database Administrator | $123,730 | $59.49 |
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | $156,750 | $75.36 |
| Web Developer | $107,590 | $51.73 |
| Database Architect | $132,940 | $63.92 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $96,760 | $46.52 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 15-1251. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a computer programmer make in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The median salary for computer programmers in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area is $106,420 a year, or $51.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $70,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $178,840 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer programmers make in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The top 10% of computer programmers in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn at least $178,840 a year. The top 25% earn $134,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer programmers in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $70,330 a year, and a quarter of computer programmers earn $83,010 or less.
How many computer programmers work in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
About 780 computer programmers are employed in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area, not counting the self-employed.