Computer Programmer salary in North Carolina
Computer Programmers in North Carolina earn a median of $81,070 a year ($38.98 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,120 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,780 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $100,390. North Carolina ranks 40th of 46 states for computer programmers pay. There are 0.83 computer programmers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $81,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for computer programmers in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,170 | $12.58 |
| 25th percentile | $44,030 | $21.17 |
| Median | $81,070 | $38.98 |
| 75th percentile | $105,370 | $50.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,780 | $64.80 |
| Average (mean) | $81,740 | $39.30 |
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 | $6,755.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,377.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,118.08 |
| Weekly | $1,559.04 |
| Hourly | $38.98 |
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 North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Greenville, NC | $106,770 | 60 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $105,160 | 450 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $134,710 | $64.76 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $60,120 | $28.90 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $106,850 | $51.37 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $104,850 | $50.41 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $95,230 | $45.78 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $100,390 | $48.27 |
| Information Security Analyst | $131,540 | $63.24 |
| Computer Network Architect | $127,320 | $61.21 |
| Database Architect | $134,630 | $64.73 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $97,990 | $47.11 |
| Web Developer | $96,610 | $46.45 |
| Database Administrator | $113,900 | $54.76 |
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | $128,370 | $61.72 |
| Data Scientist | $119,090 | $57.25 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for computer programmers in North Carolina is $81,070 a year, or $38.98 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer programmers make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of computer programmers in North Carolina earn at least $134,780 a year. The top 25% earn $105,370 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer programmers in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,170 a year, and a quarter of computer programmers earn $44,030 or less.
How many computer programmers work in North Carolina?
About 4,120 computer programmers are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.