Washington pays computer programmers more than any other state — its $158,820 median leads all 51 states and D.C. reporting wage data.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $89,040 to $235,740 — a $146,700 spread, 33% wider than the national $109,900 range.
Computer Programmers are more concentrated in Washington than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 1.28 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.28× the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $89,040 | $42.81 |
| 25th percentile | $119,060 | $57.24 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $158,820 | $76.36 |
| 75th percentile | $201,230 | $96.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $235,740 | $113.34 |
| Mean (average) | $159,090 | $76.49 |
How Washington Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Washington (current) | $158,820 | n/a |
| Montana | $128,630 | -19% |
| Oregon | $126,980 | -20% |
| Colorado | $124,880 | -21% |
| California | $116,220 | -27% |
| Massachusetts | $115,200 | -27% |
| Virginia | $111,860 | -30% |
| Wisconsin | $109,580 | -31% |
| Minnesota | $108,450 | -32% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Washington
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Data Scientists | $158,760 | 7,930 |
| Aerospace Engineers | $158,600 | 5,700 |
| Public Relations Managers | $159,510 | 1,780 |
| Pharmacists | $157,020 | 7,940 |
| Physician Assistants | $156,990 | 3,310 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $161,090 | 6,310 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Computer Programmers salary in Washington?
The mean computer programmers salary in Washington is $159,090 per year. The median (middle) salary is $158,820 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Computer Programmers in Washington?
Entry-level computer programmerss (10th percentile) in Washington typically earn around $89,040 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $119,060 per year.
What is the highest Computer Programmers salary in Washington?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Washington make approximately $235,740 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $201,230 per year.
How does the Washington Computer Programmers salary compare to the national average?
The median computer programmers salary in Washington is $158,820, which is +61% above national average of $98,670.