Computer Programmer salary in Massachusetts
Computer Programmers in Massachusetts earn a median of $128,390 a year ($61.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,930 workers.
Pay ranges from $77,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $168,310 for the top 10%. That is 28% higher than the national median of $100,390. Massachusetts ranks 2nd of 46 states for computer programmers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.53 computer programmers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $127,520, close to the median.
Pay range for computer programmers in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,060 | $37.05 |
| 25th percentile | $101,290 | $48.70 |
| Median | $128,390 | $61.73 |
| 75th percentile | $141,660 | $68.11 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $168,310 | $80.92 |
| Average (mean) | $127,520 | $61.31 |
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 | $10,699.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,349.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,938.08 |
| Weekly | $2,469.04 |
| Hourly | $61.73 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Computer Programmer salary in cities in Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $128,900 | 1,600 |
| Worcester, MA | $119,010 | 90 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $97,300 | 290 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $68,090 | 50 |
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 |
Related jobs in Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $165,210 | $79.43 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $128,240 | $61.66 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $75,070 | $36.09 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $110,980 | $53.36 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $122,210 | $58.76 |
| Computer Network Architect | $155,060 | $74.55 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $109,590 | $52.69 |
| Information Security Analyst | $136,550 | $65.65 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $113,540 | $54.59 |
| Database Architect | $161,650 | $77.72 |
| Database Administrator | $129,300 | $62.16 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $88,650 | $42.62 |
| Web Developer | $98,470 | $47.34 |
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | $170,510 | $81.97 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts?
The median salary for computer programmers in Massachusetts is $128,390 a year, or $61.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $168,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer programmers make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of computer programmers in Massachusetts earn at least $168,310 a year. The top 25% earn $141,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer programmers in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,060 a year, and a quarter of computer programmers earn $101,290 or less.
How many computer programmers work in Massachusetts?
About 1,930 computer programmers are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.