Computer Programmer salary in Wilmington, NC
Computer Programmers in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn a median of $79,530 a year ($38.23 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,480 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $100,390. Pay here is 2% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $81,070. There are 0.36 computer programmers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.61). The average (mean) salary is $81,310, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for computer programmers in Wilmington, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,910 | $21.11 |
| 25th percentile | $45,290 | $21.78 |
| Median | $79,530 | $38.23 |
| 75th percentile | $100,200 | $48.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,480 | $62.25 |
| Average (mean) | $81,310 | $39.09 |
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 | $6,627.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,313.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,058.85 |
| Weekly | $1,529.42 |
| Hourly | $38.23 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Greenville, NC | $106,770 | 60 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $105,160 | 450 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $103,070 | 280 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $84,720 | 670 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $84,700 | 190 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $83,760 | 230 |
| Asheville, NC | $77,460 | 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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Wilmington, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $123,730 | $59.49 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $61,240 | $29.44 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $99,060 | $47.62 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $96,350 | $46.32 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $93,830 | $45.11 |
| Information Security Analyst | $145,170 | $69.79 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $86,200 | $41.44 |
| Computer Network Architect | $114,230 | $54.92 |
| Database Architect | $131,470 | $63.21 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $64,400 | $30.96 |
| Web Developer | $91,480 | $43.98 |
| Data Scientist | $93,090 | $44.76 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Wilmington, NC
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 Wilmington, NC?
The median salary for computer programmers in the Wilmington, NC metro area is $79,530 a year, or $38.23 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,480 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer programmers make in Wilmington, NC?
The top 10% of computer programmers in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn at least $129,480 a year. The top 25% earn $100,200 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer programmers in Wilmington, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,910 a year, and a quarter of computer programmers earn $45,290 or less.
How many computer programmers work in Wilmington, NC?
About 70 computer programmers are employed in the Wilmington, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.