Computer Programmer salary in Richmond, VA
Computer Programmers in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $112,690 a year ($54.18 an hour), based on BLS data for 310 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,880 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $100,390. Pay here is 7% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $121,610. There are 0.47 computer programmers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.79). The average (mean) salary is $111,950, close to the median.
Pay range for computer programmers in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,540 | $29.59 |
| 25th percentile | $86,860 | $41.76 |
| Median | $112,690 | $54.18 |
| 75th percentile | $135,670 | $65.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $162,880 | $78.31 |
| Average (mean) | $111,950 | $53.82 |
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 | $9,390.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,695.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,334.23 |
| Weekly | $2,167.12 |
| Hourly | $54.18 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $130,390 | 2,680 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $109,770 | n/a |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $103,070 | 280 |
| Roanoke, VA | $92,830 | 50 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $87,100 | 30 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $132,120 | $63.52 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $105,190 | $50.57 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $60,790 | $29.23 |
| Information Security Analyst | $126,230 | $60.69 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $99,750 | $47.96 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $111,070 | $53.40 |
| Computer Network Architect | $129,210 | $62.12 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $106,300 | $51.11 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $65,460 | $31.47 |
| Database Administrator | $99,690 | $47.93 |
| Database Architect | $133,770 | $64.31 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $63,660 | $30.60 |
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | $162,910 | $78.32 |
| Web Developer | $117,090 | $56.30 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Richmond, VA
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 Richmond, VA?
The median salary for computer programmers in the Richmond, VA metro area is $112,690 a year, or $54.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,880 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer programmers make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of computer programmers in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $162,880 a year. The top 25% earn $135,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer programmers in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,540 a year, and a quarter of computer programmers earn $86,860 or less.
How many computer programmers work in Richmond, VA?
About 310 computer programmers are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.