Illinois ranks 41st of 51 states and D.C. for computer programmers pay, trailing top-paying Washington ($158,820) by $75,360 — a 90% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $53,000 to $137,880 — a $84,880 spread, 23% tighter than the national $109,900 range.
Computer Programmers are less concentrated in Illinois than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.34 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 2.94× below the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $53,000 | $25.48 |
| 25th percentile | $65,400 | $31.44 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $83,460 | $40.13 |
| 75th percentile | $110,420 | $53.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $137,880 | $66.29 |
| Mean (average) | $91,450 | $43.96 |
How Illinois Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois (current) | $83,460 | n/a |
| Washington | $158,820 | +90% |
| Montana | $128,630 | +54% |
| Oregon | $126,980 | +52% |
| Colorado | $124,880 | +50% |
| California | $116,220 | +39% |
| Massachusetts | $115,200 | +38% |
| Virginia | $111,860 | +34% |
| Wisconsin | $109,580 | +31% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Illinois
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $83,580 | 1,700 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers | $82,680 | 18,120 |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | $82,490 | 3,390 |
| Speech-Language Pathologists | $82,480 | 9,100 |
| Insurance Underwriters | $84,580 | 8,480 |
| Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents | $82,130 | 25,290 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Computer Programmers salary in Illinois?
The mean computer programmers salary in Illinois is $91,450 per year. The median (middle) salary is $83,460 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Computer Programmers in Illinois?
Entry-level computer programmerss (10th percentile) in Illinois typically earn around $53,000 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $65,400 per year.
What is the highest Computer Programmers salary in Illinois?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Illinois make approximately $137,880 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $110,420 per year.
How does the Illinois Computer Programmers salary compare to the national average?
The median computer programmers salary in Illinois is $83,460, which is -15% below national average of $98,670.