Computer Programmer salary in State College, PA
Computer Programmers in the State College, PA metro area earn a median of $87,610 a year ($42.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,740 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $100,390. Pay here is 2% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $89,180. There are 0.62 computer programmers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $82,860, close to the median.
Pay range for computer programmers in State College, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,400 | $22.31 |
| 25th percentile | $64,560 | $31.04 |
| Median | $87,610 | $42.12 |
| 75th percentile | $92,960 | $44.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,740 | $48.43 |
| Average (mean) | $82,860 | $39.84 |
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 | $7,300.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,650.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,369.62 |
| Weekly | $1,684.81 |
| Hourly | $42.12 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $101,420 | 1,770 |
| Reading, PA | $98,690 | 60 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $93,510 | 120 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $91,760 | 80 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $88,180 | 130 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $86,450 | 140 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $85,340 | 420 |
| Lancaster, PA | $83,990 | 100 |
| Erie, PA | $78,060 | 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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in State College, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $103,620 | $49.82 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $63,790 | $30.67 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $84,330 | $40.54 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $78,520 | $37.75 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $97,920 | $47.08 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $93,680 | $45.04 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $64,040 | $30.79 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $78,040 | $37.52 |
| Web Developer | $91,300 | $43.89 |
| Computer Network Architect | $112,410 | $54.04 |
| Data Scientist | $81,840 | $39.35 |
| Statistician | $93,830 | $45.11 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in State College, PA
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 State College, PA?
The median salary for computer programmers in the State College, PA metro area is $87,610 a year, or $42.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer programmers make in State College, PA?
The top 10% of computer programmers in the State College, PA metro area earn at least $100,740 a year. The top 25% earn $92,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer programmers in State College, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,400 a year, and a quarter of computer programmers earn $64,560 or less.
How many computer programmers work in State College, PA?
About 40 computer programmers are employed in the State College, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.