EN

Occupation · SOC 15-1251

Computer Programmers

There are 92,230 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $100,390 a year. The most jobs are in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ.

Computer & MathTypical education: Bachelor's degree
92,230
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$100,390
Median pay a year
Middle half: $75,850–$130,680
4,400
Annual openings
10-year change: −7.3%
14,095
LCA filings, last 4 quarters
+17.2% from the prior 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 207 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $126,750 · LCA filings 1,7126,670$126,7501,712
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $107,090 · LCA filings 2673,400$107,090267
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $102,240 · LCA filings 2,6173,260$102,2402,617
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $130,390 · LCA filings 8042,680$130,390804
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAMedian pay $130,730 · LCA filings 6372,440$130,730637
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAMedian pay n/a · LCA filings 1331,990n/a133
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $101,420 · LCA filings 4661,770$101,420466
Raleigh–Cary, NCMedian pay n/a · LCA filings 3611,770n/a361
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $128,900 · LCA filings 2211,600$128,900221
San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CAMedian pay $134,130 · LCA filings 281,600$134,13028

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployment 980 · LCA filings 850$154,920980850
Hartford–West Hartford–East Hartford, CTEmployment 1,150 · LCA filings 118$141,9201,150118
Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogers, AREmployment 490 · LCA filings 38$136,88049038
San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CAEmployment 1,600 · LCA filings 28$134,1301,60028
Santa Cruz–Watsonville, CAEmployment 90 · LCA filings 3$132,850903

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXEmployers with LCA filings 654 · Employment 3,2602,6176543,260
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployers with LCA filings 507 · Employment 6,6701,7125076,670
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployers with LCA filings 311 · Employment 980850311980
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVEmployers with LCA filings 317 · Employment 2,6808043172,680
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAEmployers with LCA filings 236 · Employment 1,2607702361,260

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $105,539 · Level III $128,648 · Level IV $151,757$82,430$105,539$128,648$151,757
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $88,504 · Level III $107,827 · Level IV $127,150$69,181$88,504$107,827$127,150
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $89,003 · Level III $106,163 · Level IV $123,323$71,843$89,003$106,163$123,323
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $103,230 · Level III $127,546 · Level IV $151,840$78,936$103,230$127,546$151,840
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $101,670 · Level III $126,776 · Level IV $151,882$76,565$101,670$126,776$151,882
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WALevel II $110,323 · Level III $129,376 · Level IV $148,408$91,291$110,323$129,376$148,408
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $86,070 · Level III $107,037 · Level IV $127,982$65,125$86,070$107,037$127,982
Raleigh–Cary, NCLevel II $59,966 · Level III $81,515 · Level IV $103,085$38,397$59,966$81,515$103,085
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $107,016 · Level III $128,378 · Level IV $149,760$85,634$107,016$128,378$149,760
San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CALevel II $106,080 · Level III $129,293 · Level IV $152,526$82,846$106,080$129,293$152,526
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CALevel II $124,405 · Level III $150,509 · Level IV $176,634$98,280$124,405$150,509$176,634
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $89,523 · Level III $105,165 · Level IV $120,786$73,902$89,523$105,165$120,786

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Computer ScienceCIP 11.07STEM OPT · up to 36 months27,204STEM OPT · up to 36 months
Computer ProgrammingCIP 11.02Varies by program1,030Varies by program
Computer and Information Sciences, GeneralCIP 11.01STEM OPT · up to 36 months32,134STEM OPT · up to 36 months

See Computer Programmers in every metro area

All 207 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

See every metro area →

Find jobs on Where They Hire

U.S. jobsJobs abroadCompanies

Related occupations · Computer & Math

Software DevelopersComputer User Support SpecialistsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Occupations, All OtherData ScientistsInformation Security AnalystsNetwork and Computer Systems AdministratorsSoftware Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology