Computer Programmer salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Computer Programmers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median of $130,390 a year ($62.69 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,680 workers.
Pay ranges from $67,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $184,660 for the top 10%. That is 30% higher than the national median of $100,390. There are 0.85 computer programmers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $127,780, close to the median.
Pay range for computer programmers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,010 | $32.21 |
| 25th percentile | $93,490 | $44.95 |
| Median | $130,390 | $62.69 |
| 75th percentile | $163,340 | $78.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $184,660 | $88.78 |
| Average (mean) | $127,780 | $61.43 |
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 | $10,865.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,432.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,015 |
| Weekly | $2,507.50 |
| Hourly | $62.69 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lexington Park, MD | $112,990 | 110 |
| Richmond, VA | $112,690 | 310 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $109,770 | n/a |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $106,420 | 780 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $103,070 | 280 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $101,420 | 1,770 |
| Roanoke, VA | $92,830 | 50 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $90,040 | 40 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $154,930 | $74.49 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $127,040 | $61.08 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $77,860 | $37.43 |
| Information Security Analyst | $148,950 | $71.61 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $125,430 | $60.30 |
| Computer Network Architect | $159,820 | $76.84 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $126,350 | $60.74 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $92,400 | $44.42 |
| Database Architect | $162,870 | $78.30 |
| Web Developer | $134,350 | $64.59 |
| Database Administrator | $108,750 | $52.29 |
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | $161,090 | $77.45 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $97,000 | $46.63 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $156,640 | $75.31 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median salary for computer programmers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $130,390 a year, or $62.69 an hour. Pay ranges from $67,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $184,660 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer programmers make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The top 10% of computer programmers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn at least $184,660 a year. The top 25% earn $163,340 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer programmers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $67,010 a year, and a quarter of computer programmers earn $93,490 or less.
How many computer programmers work in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
About 2,680 computer programmers are employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.