Computer Programmers: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)
Computer and Mathematical · SOC 15-1251 · O*NET 15-1251.00
Create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software and web developers or other individuals. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.
Computer Programmers fall under the Computer and Mathematical category in the U.S. occupational classification. Computer Programmers earn a median salary of $98,670 per year, ranking in the top 14% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -6.0% job growth through 2034, projected to lose jobs through 2034. Entry into this field typically requires a bachelor's degree, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.
What do computer programmers earn?
The median annual wage for computer programmers is $98,670. That puts computer programmers at #116 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is above the U.S. median for individual workers and reflects a stable, credentialed occupation. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $52,190 |
| 25th percentile | $71,860 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $98,670 |
| 75th percentile | $128,960 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $162,090 |
| Median hourly wage | $47.44/hr |
Is computer programmers a growing career?
The 10-year outlook for computer programmers is -6.0%, projected to lose jobs through 2034. Employment is projected to move from approximately 121K positions in 2024 to 113K in 2034, a net change of -8K. A declining outlook does not mean the field is disappearing; it means automation, demographics, or substitution effects are shrinking the pool of openings. Students entering a declining field should plan for adjacent skills that transfer to growing roles.
What do computer programmers do every day?
According to O*NET task surveys of working computer programmers, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.
- 1.Investigate whether networks, workstations, the central processing unit of the system, or peripheral equipment are responding to a program's instructions.
- 2.Assign, coordinate, and review work and activities of programming personnel.
- 3.Correct errors by making appropriate changes and rechecking the program to ensure that the desired results are produced.
- 4.Consult with managerial, engineering, and technical personnel to clarify program intent, identify problems, and suggest changes.
- 5.Conduct trial runs of programs and software applications to be sure they will produce the desired information and that the instructions are correct.
- 6.Compile and write documentation of program development and subsequent revisions, inserting comments in the coded instructions so others can understand the program.
- 7.Consult with and assist computer operators or system analysts to define and resolve problems in running computer programs.
- 8.Write, analyze, review, and rewrite programs, using workflow chart and diagram, and applying knowledge of computer capabilities, subject matter, and symbolic logic.
Top skills for computer programmers
O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.
What education does my child need to become computer programmer?
The standard path into computer programmers begins with a bachelor's degree in a related field, followed by entry-level experience or internships during college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.
Based on O*NET surveys of incumbents — what people in this job actually have, not what employers list as required.
Related careers your child might also consider
How parents help teens explore careers like this
Solyo helps parents map a teen's interests to specific careers, then back to the colleges and majors that lead there. Salary, outlook, and education data come from BLS and O*NET — the same sources high school counselors use — but presented for the parent's planning lens, not the student's exploration view.
Common questions parents ask about computer programmers
What is the median salary for computer programmers?
The median annual salary for computer programmers is $98,670 according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Is computer programmers a growing career?
BLS projects -6.0% growth for computer programmers from 2024 through 2034, which is declining growth projected to lose jobs through 2034.
What education does my child need to become computer programmer?
The typical entry path requires a bachelor's degree, plus any state licensure or certification specific to the role. Programs that align well with this career can be filtered inside Solyo's college search.
What careers are similar to computer programmers?
Related occupations within the Computer and Mathematical category share education paths and skill profiles, so they're a useful starting set when a teen is uncertain. The "Related careers" section below lists nearby options.
Salary data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics program. Skills, tasks, and education distribution from the O*NET database. Job outlook from the BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 release.