Computer Programmer salary in Illinois
Computer Programmers in Illinois earn a median of $72,540 a year ($34.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,280 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,410 for the top 10%. That is 28% lower than the national median of $100,390. Illinois ranks 43rd of 46 states for computer programmers pay. There are 0.21 computer programmers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.35). The average (mean) salary is $87,660, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for computer programmers in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,640 | $24.35 |
| 25th percentile | $50,640 | $24.35 |
| Median | $72,540 | $34.88 |
| 75th percentile | $110,980 | $53.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $142,410 | $68.46 |
| Average (mean) | $87,660 | $42.14 |
Half of computer programmers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,045 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,022.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,790 |
| Weekly | $1,395 |
| Hourly | $34.88 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Computer Programmer salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $99,750 | 650 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $96,920 | 660 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $89,380 | 110 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $84,400 | 40 |
| Springfield, IL | $61,160 | n/a |
Highest-paying states for computer programmers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $133,820 |
| Massachusetts | $128,390 |
| Washington | $125,620 |
| Maryland | $125,570 |
| Virginia | $121,610 |
| Hawaii | $118,180 |
| California | $116,760 |
| Arkansas | $111,840 |
| Minnesota | $107,250 |
| New Jersey | $104,940 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $132,110 | $63.52 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $59,860 | $28.78 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $101,570 | $48.83 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $99,360 | $47.77 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $100,080 | $48.12 |
| Computer Network Architect | $132,790 | $63.84 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $68,530 | $32.95 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $104,910 | $50.44 |
| Information Security Analyst | $124,180 | $59.70 |
| Web Developer | $84,820 | $40.78 |
| Database Administrator | $104,650 | $50.31 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $85,710 | $41.21 |
| Database Architect | $142,500 | $68.51 |
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | $136,540 | $65.64 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 15-1251. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a computer programmer make in Illinois?
The median salary for computer programmers in Illinois is $72,540 a year, or $34.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer programmers make in Illinois?
The top 10% of computer programmers in Illinois earn at least $142,410 a year. The top 25% earn $110,980 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer programmers in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,640 a year, and a quarter of computer programmers earn $50,640 or less.
How many computer programmers work in Illinois?
About 1,280 computer programmers are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.