Tennessee ranks 23rd of 51 states and D.C. for computer programmers pay, trailing top-paying Washington ($158,820) by $59,550 — a 60% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $49,340 to $215,580 — a $166,240 spread, 51% wider than the national $109,900 range.
Computer Programmers are less concentrated in Tennessee than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.56 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.79× below the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $49,340 | $23.72 |
| 25th percentile | $66,520 | $31.98 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $99,270 | $47.73 |
| 75th percentile | $215,580 | $103.64 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $215,580 | $103.64 |
| Mean (average) | $130,630 | $62.80 |
How Tennessee Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee (current) | $99,270 | n/a |
| Washington | $158,820 | +60% |
| Montana | $128,630 | +30% |
| Oregon | $126,980 | +28% |
| Colorado | $124,880 | +26% |
| California | $116,220 | +17% |
| Massachusetts | $115,200 | +16% |
| Virginia | $111,860 | +13% |
| Wisconsin | $109,580 | +10% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Tennessee
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | $99,280 | 1,220 |
| Mechanical Engineers | $99,330 | 3,680 |
| Construction Managers | $99,790 | 6,490 |
| Industrial Engineers | $98,230 | 7,200 |
| Computer Hardware Engineers | $100,430 | 320 |
| Engineers, All Other | $97,990 | 4,610 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Computer Programmers salary in Tennessee?
The mean computer programmers salary in Tennessee is $130,630 per year. The median (middle) salary is $99,270 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Computer Programmers in Tennessee?
Entry-level computer programmerss (10th percentile) in Tennessee typically earn around $49,340 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $66,520 per year.
What is the highest Computer Programmers salary in Tennessee?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Tennessee make approximately $215,580 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $215,580 per year.
How does the Tennessee Computer Programmers salary compare to the national average?
The median computer programmers salary in Tennessee is $99,270, which is +1% above national average of $98,670.