Computer Programmer salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Computer Programmers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $99,750 a year ($47.96 an hour), based on BLS data for 650 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $152,940 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $100,390. Pay here is 38% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $72,540. There are 0.14 computer programmers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.24). The average (mean) salary is $103,330, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for computer programmers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,830 | $30.21 |
| 25th percentile | $66,710 | $32.07 |
| Median | $99,750 | $47.96 |
| 75th percentile | $131,590 | $63.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $152,940 | $73.53 |
| Average (mean) | $103,330 | $49.68 |
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 | $8,312.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,156.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,836.54 |
| Weekly | $1,918.27 |
| Hourly | $47.96 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $107,850 | 30 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $105,050 | n/a |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $102,070 | 550 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $101,640 | 410 |
| Evansville, IN | $97,630 | 30 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $96,920 | 660 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $89,380 | 110 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $87,630 | n/a |
| Bloomington, IN | $85,580 | 360 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $84,400 | 40 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $82,750 | 50 |
| Springfield, IL | $61,160 | n/a |
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 Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $134,380 | $64.60 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $60,730 | $29.20 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $103,490 | $49.76 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $101,660 | $48.88 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $103,170 | $49.60 |
| Computer Network Architect | $143,800 | $69.14 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $105,580 | $50.76 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $73,340 | $35.26 |
| Information Security Analyst | $125,310 | $60.25 |
| Web Developer | $96,870 | $46.57 |
| Database Administrator | $109,680 | $52.73 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $87,920 | $42.27 |
| Database Architect | $147,490 | $70.91 |
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | $135,630 | $65.21 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for computer programmers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $99,750 a year, or $47.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $152,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer programmers make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of computer programmers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $152,940 a year. The top 25% earn $131,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer programmers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,830 a year, and a quarter of computer programmers earn $66,710 or less.
How many computer programmers work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 650 computer programmers are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.