Computer Programmer salary in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX
Computer Programmers in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area earn a median of $96,440 a year ($46.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,340 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $145,510 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $100,390. Pay here is 3% lower than the Texas statewide median of $99,330. There are 0.41 computer programmers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.69). The average (mean) salary is $99,430, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for computer programmers in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,180 | $27.01 |
| 25th percentile | $71,530 | $34.39 |
| Median | $96,440 | $46.36 |
| 75th percentile | $126,450 | $60.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $145,510 | $69.96 |
| Average (mean) | $99,430 | $47.80 |
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 | $8,036.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,018.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,709.23 |
| Weekly | $1,854.62 |
| Hourly | $46.36 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $102,240 | 3,260 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $100,700 | n/a |
| Waco, TX | $86,900 | 70 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $82,560 | 40 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | $81,230 | 40 |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | $80,620 | 60 |
| Amarillo, TX | $77,570 | 60 |
| Longview, TX | $76,490 | 40 |
| Midland, TX | $75,640 | 60 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $74,500 | 60 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | $72,430 | 60 |
| Lubbock, TX | $70,260 | 100 |
| El Paso, TX | $65,220 | 110 |
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 Texas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $129,440 | $62.23 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $59,250 | $28.49 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $105,440 | $50.69 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $113,440 | $54.54 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $101,430 | $48.77 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $98,690 | $47.45 |
| Computer Network Architect | $124,900 | $60.05 |
| Information Security Analyst | $126,370 | $60.75 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $74,140 | $35.64 |
| Database Administrator | $116,030 | $55.78 |
| Web Developer | $89,040 | $42.81 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $96,750 | $46.52 |
| Database Architect | $139,100 | $66.88 |
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | $134,050 | $64.45 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX
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 Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?
The median salary for computer programmers in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area is $96,440 a year, or $46.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $145,510 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer programmers make in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?
The top 10% of computer programmers in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area earn at least $145,510 a year. The top 25% earn $126,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer programmers in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,180 a year, and a quarter of computer programmers earn $71,530 or less.
How many computer programmers work in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?
About 1,340 computer programmers are employed in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area, not counting the self-employed.