Computer Programmer salary in Columbus, OH
Computer Programmers in the Columbus, OH metro area earn a median of $80,910 a year ($38.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 410 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,160 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $100,390. Pay here is 5% lower than the Ohio statewide median of $85,270. There are 0.37 computer programmers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.63). The average (mean) salary is $88,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for computer programmers in Columbus, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,270 | $24.65 |
| 25th percentile | $62,960 | $30.27 |
| Median | $80,910 | $38.90 |
| 75th percentile | $108,250 | $52.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,160 | $61.61 |
| Average (mean) | $88,220 | $42.41 |
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 | $6,742.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,371.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,111.92 |
| Weekly | $1,555.96 |
| Hourly | $38.90 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $101,640 | 410 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $96,750 | 30 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $96,350 | 200 |
| Toledo, OH | $79,770 | 100 |
| Cleveland, OH | $79,290 | 400 |
| Akron, OH | $78,070 | 140 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $73,440 | 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 Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $122,340 | $58.82 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $62,540 | $30.07 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $107,230 | $51.55 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $105,750 | $50.84 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $129,940 | $62.47 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $81,220 | $39.05 |
| Information Security Analyst | $122,600 | $58.94 |
| Computer Network Architect | $131,260 | $63.10 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $103,110 | $49.57 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $96,010 | $46.16 |
| Database Architect | $135,840 | $65.31 |
| Database Administrator | $101,450 | $48.78 |
| Web Developer | $83,860 | $40.32 |
| Data Scientist | $107,950 | $51.90 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, OH
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 Columbus, OH?
The median salary for computer programmers in the Columbus, OH metro area is $80,910 a year, or $38.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,160 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer programmers make in Columbus, OH?
The top 10% of computer programmers in the Columbus, OH metro area earn at least $128,160 a year. The top 25% earn $108,250 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer programmers in Columbus, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,270 a year, and a quarter of computer programmers earn $62,960 or less.
How many computer programmers work in Columbus, OH?
About 410 computer programmers are employed in the Columbus, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.