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Median annual earnings of wage-and-salary computer programmers were $65,510 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $49,580 and $85,080 a year. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $38,460, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $106,610. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of computer programmers in May 2006 are shown below:
| Software publishers | $79,270 |
| Computer systems design and related services | 67,880 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 67,170 |
| Insurance carriers | 65,650 |
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, starting salary offers for computer programmers averaged $49,928 per year in 2007.
According to Robert Half Technology, a firm providing specialized staffing services, average annual starting salaries in 2007 ranged from $55,250 to $90,250 for applications development programmers/analysts, and from $60,250 to $94,750 for software developers. Average starting salaries for mainframe systems programmers ranged from $52,250 to $70,750.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, Computer Programmers, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos110.htm (visited January 07, 2009). Used by permission.
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