Computer Programmer salary in Tucson, AZ
Computer Programmers in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn a median of $88,990 a year ($42.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,620 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $100,390. Pay here is about the same as the Arizona statewide median of $88,990. There are 0.60 computer programmers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $91,800, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for computer programmers in Tucson, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,750 | $29.69 |
| 25th percentile | $71,490 | $34.37 |
| Median | $88,990 | $42.78 |
| 75th percentile | $100,420 | $48.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,620 | $61.84 |
| Average (mean) | $91,800 | $44.14 |
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 | $7,415.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,707.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,422.69 |
| Weekly | $1,711.35 |
| Hourly | $42.78 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff, AZ | $102,300 | 70 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $91,110 | 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 |
See Computer Programmer pay in every state or the Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Tucson, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $123,710 | $59.48 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $57,660 | $27.72 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $64,630 | $31.07 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $98,100 | $47.17 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $87,780 | $42.20 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $100,650 | $48.39 |
| Information Security Analyst | $102,260 | $49.16 |
| Computer Network Architect | $120,710 | $58.03 |
| Web Developer | $79,060 | $38.01 |
| Database Administrator | $100,790 | $48.46 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $62,640 | $30.11 |
| Database Architect | $111,510 | $53.61 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $79,980 | $38.45 |
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | $79,580 | $38.26 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Tucson, AZ
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 Tucson, AZ?
The median salary for computer programmers in the Tucson, AZ metro area is $88,990 a year, or $42.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,620 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer programmers make in Tucson, AZ?
The top 10% of computer programmers in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn at least $128,620 a year. The top 25% earn $100,420 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer programmers in Tucson, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,750 a year, and a quarter of computer programmers earn $71,490 or less.
How many computer programmers work in Tucson, AZ?
About 230 computer programmers are employed in the Tucson, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.