Illinois Median
$72,540
per year
Hourly Rate
$34.88
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-28% vs US median
US median $100,390
State Rank
#43 of 46
1,280 employed here
How much does a Computer Programmer make in Illinois?
A Computer Programmer working in Illinois earns a median salary of $72,540 per year, or about $34.88 per hour. That is 28% below the national median of $100,390 for this occupation.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $50,640 while the top 10% make $142,410 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $50,640 and $110,980 a year.
Computer Programmer salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,640 | $24.35 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $50,640 | $24.35 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $72,540 | $34.88 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $110,980 | $53.36 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $142,410 | $68.47 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 43rd out of 46 states and territories for Computer Programmer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Computer Programmer salary in other states
Connecticut $133,820Massachusetts $128,390Washington $125,620Maryland $125,570Virginia $121,610Hawaii $118,180California $116,760Arkansas $111,840Minnesota $107,250New Jersey $104,940Utah $104,890Colorado $104,610New York $103,980Maine $101,780Oklahoma $99,780South Carolina $99,740Oregon $99,540Texas $99,330Georgia $98,380Indiana $97,000Rhode Island $96,470Nebraska $95,150Kentucky $94,850Alabama $93,800Nevada $93,600Florida $93,180Kansas $92,960North Dakota $92,280Alaska $91,700Missouri $90,420Montana $89,920Vermont $89,560Pennsylvania $89,180Idaho $89,020Arizona $88,990Ohio $85,270Mississippi $85,120New Mexico $83,750Wyoming $81,640North Carolina $81,070Iowa $79,180New Hampshire $74,000Michigan $65,860West Virginia $65,320South Dakota $58,240
Working as a Computer Programmer in Illinois
Nationally, about 92,000 people work as Computer Programmers in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare Illinois pay ($72,540) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Computer Programmer make in Illinois?
The median Computer Programmer salary in Illinois is $72,540 per year, or about $34.88 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $50,640 at the entry level to $142,410 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Computer Programmers about 28% less than the national median of $100,390. Illinois ranks 43rd out of 46 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Computer Programmers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $72,540 a year. About 1,280 Computer Programmers are employed in Illinois. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Computer Programmer salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.