Computer Programmer salary in Rochester, MN
Computer Programmers in the Rochester, MN metro area earn a median of $65,070 a year ($31.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,140 for the top 10%. That is 35% lower than the national median of $100,390. Pay here is 39% lower than the Minnesota statewide median of $107,250. There are 0.27 computer programmers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.46). The average (mean) salary is $75,370, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for computer programmers in Rochester, MN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,060 | $20.22 |
| 25th percentile | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| Median | $65,070 | $31.28 |
| 75th percentile | $101,040 | $48.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $124,140 | $59.69 |
| Average (mean) | $75,370 | $36.24 |
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 | $5,422.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,711.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,502.69 |
| Weekly | $1,251.35 |
| Hourly | $31.28 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $118,000 | 1,570 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $92,280 | 100 |
| Mankato, MN | $84,710 | 40 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $77,640 | 40 |
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 Minnesota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rochester, MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $134,450 | $64.64 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $65,200 | $31.35 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $107,210 | $51.55 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $120,630 | $57.99 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $106,300 | $51.11 |
| Computer Network Architect | $168,910 | $81.21 |
| Database Administrator | $103,920 | $49.96 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Rochester, MN
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 Rochester, MN?
The median salary for computer programmers in the Rochester, MN metro area is $65,070 a year, or $31.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,140 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer programmers make in Rochester, MN?
The top 10% of computer programmers in the Rochester, MN metro area earn at least $124,140 a year. The top 25% earn $101,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer programmers in Rochester, MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,060 a year, and a quarter of computer programmers earn $45,760 or less.
How many computer programmers work in Rochester, MN?
About 30 computer programmers are employed in the Rochester, MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.