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Computer Programmers in Massachusetts

Want to work as a Computer Programmers in Massachusetts? Here’s what the data says. Create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software and web developers or other individuals. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.

What do Computer Programmers Make in Massachusetts?

For a computer programmers working in Massachusetts, the typical annual salary is $115,200 per year (or about $55.39/hour).Annual wages span from $76,720 at the 10th percentile to $163,460 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic	Annual	Hourly
10th percentile	$76,720	$36.89
25th percentile	$99,800	$47.98
Median (50th)	$115,200	$55.39
75th percentile	$139,950	$67.29
90th percentile	$163,460	$78.59

Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in Massachusetts relative to the national average — is 1.17, suggesting that computer programmers are more concentrated here than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, computer programmers earn a median of $109,892 per year ($52.83/hour), exceeding the Massachusetts median.

Employment Outlook

Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 596,847 computer programmers in the U.S.. In Massachusetts alone, around 3,040 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 1,360 computer programmers.

Top Massachusetts Metros for Computer Programmers

The metro areas below employ the most computer programmers in Massachusetts.

Metro Area	Number Employed	Annual Median Salary
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	2,610	$115,190
Worcester, MA	120	$111,390
Amherst Town-Northampton, MA	80	$74,340
Springfield, MA	60	$99,310

Top States for Computer Programmers Employment

These states have the highest employment of computer programmers work.

State	Number Employed
California	14,720
Texas	11,220
New York	7,090
Michigan	5,350
Florida	4,700
Virginia	4,210
Arizona	4,170
Pennsylvania	4,130
New Jersey	4,000
North Carolina	3,880
Washington	3,220
Massachusetts	3,040
Wisconsin	3,020
Maryland	2,360
Georgia	2,330
Indiana	2,120
Ohio	2,030
Minnesota	1,960
Kentucky	1,640
Louisiana	1,640

Highest-Paying States for Computer Programmers

These states pay the most for computer programmers.

State	Annual Median Salary
Washington	$158,820
Montana	$128,630
Oregon	$126,980
Colorado	$124,880
California	$116,220
Massachusetts	$115,200
Virginia	$111,860
Wisconsin	$109,580
Minnesota	$108,450
Hawaii	$108,040

Skills

The most important computer programmers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Knowledge Areas

Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Abilities

The abilities that matter most for computer programmers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Daily Tasks

Common tasks include:

• Write, analyze, review, and rewrite programs, using workflow chart and diagram, and applying knowledge of computer capabilities, subject matter, and symbolic logic.
• Correct errors by making appropriate changes and rechecking the program to ensure that the desired results are produced.
• Perform or direct revision, repair, or expansion of existing programs to increase operating efficiency or adapt to new requirements.
• Write, update, and maintain computer programs or software packages to handle specific jobs such as tracking inventory, storing or retrieving data, or controlling other equipment.
• Consult with managerial, engineering, and technical personnel to clarify program intent, identify problems, and suggest changes.
• Conduct trial runs of programs and software applications to be sure they will produce the desired information and that the instructions are correct.
• Prepare detailed workflow charts and diagrams that describe input, output, and logical operation, and convert them into a series of instructions coded in a computer language.
• Compile and write documentation of program development and subsequent revisions, inserting comments in the coded instructions so others can understand the program.
• Consult with and assist computer operators or system analysts to define and resolve problems in running computer programs.
• Perform systems analysis and programming tasks to maintain and control the use of computer systems software as a systems programmer.
• Write or contribute to instructions or manuals to guide end users.
• Investigate whether networks, workstations, the central processing unit of the system, or peripheral equipment are responding to a program's instructions.

Work Activities

• Working with Computers
• Processing Information
• Analyzing Data or Information
• Getting Information
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Thinking Creatively
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
• Documenting/Recording Information
• Developing Objectives and Strategies

Tools & Technology

Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, AJAX, Amazon DynamoDB, Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud EC2, Amazon Redshift, Amazon Web Services AWS CloudFormation, Amazon Web Services AWS software, Ansible software, Apache Cassandra, Apache Hadoop, Apache Hive In-demand technologies: C#, C++, Cascading style sheets CSS

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Several college majors map to this occupation:

• Computer Science
• Computer Programming
• Computer Software Applications
• Computer Systems Networking

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Related Careers

Other careers like computer programmers include:

• Computer and Information Systems Managers
• Computer Systems Analysts
• Computer and Information Research Scientists
• Computer User Support Specialists
• Computer Network Architects
• Database Administrators

Also Known As

.NET Programmer, Analyst Programmer, Application Programmer, Application Programmer Analyst, Applications Programmer, Automation Programmer, Beta Tester, Bug Bounty Hunter, Business Programmer, COBOL Programmer (Common Business Oriented Language Programmer), Certified Ethical Hacker, Client Server Programmer, Cloud Engineer, Computer Game Programmer, Computer Language Coder.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
• O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
• BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
• O*NET-SOC code: 15-1251.00