Computer Programmer salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Computer Programmers in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $105,160 a year ($50.56 an hour), based on BLS data for 450 workers.
Pay ranges from $67,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,830 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $100,390. Pay here is 30% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $81,070. There are 1.3 computer programmers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $107,800, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for computer programmers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,770 | $32.58 |
| 25th percentile | $83,040 | $39.93 |
| Median | $105,160 | $50.56 |
| 75th percentile | $128,240 | $61.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $136,830 | $65.78 |
| Average (mean) | $107,800 | $51.83 |
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 | $8,763.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,381.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,044.62 |
| Weekly | $2,022.31 |
| Hourly | $50.56 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Greenville, NC | $106,770 | 60 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $103,070 | 280 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $84,720 | 670 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $84,700 | 190 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $83,760 | 230 |
| Wilmington, NC | $79,530 | 70 |
| Asheville, NC | $77,460 | 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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $135,620 | $65.20 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $106,410 | $51.16 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $126,300 | $60.72 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $71,750 | $34.50 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $110,640 | $53.19 |
| Computer Network Architect | $144,990 | $69.71 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $122,980 | $59.13 |
| Information Security Analyst | $129,670 | $62.34 |
| Database Architect | $141,770 | $68.16 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $133,340 | $64.11 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $81,090 | $38.99 |
| Database Administrator | $117,950 | $56.71 |
| Web Developer | $96,880 | $46.58 |
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | $136,990 | $65.86 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for computer programmers in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $105,160 a year, or $50.56 an hour. Pay ranges from $67,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,830 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer programmers make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of computer programmers in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $136,830 a year. The top 25% earn $128,240 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer programmers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $67,770 a year, and a quarter of computer programmers earn $83,040 or less.
How many computer programmers work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 450 computer programmers are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.