Occupational Employment Statistics

DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA

15-1251 Computer Programmers

Occupational Description:
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.

Occupational Employment Statistics(OES) Wage Data
First Quarter 2026

Geography	Employment	Emp SE*	Percentiles
Geography	Employment	Emp SE*	Mean	10th	25th	Median	75th	90th
Minnesota	2,070	112	$49.68/hr	$26.07/hr	$39.16/hr	$53.00/hr	$61.93/hr	$61.93/hr

Leading Industries for Computer Programmers

Industry	OES Employment (Statewide)	OES Median Wage (Statewide)
Natural Resources and Mining	N/A	N/A
Manufacturing	390	$44.67/hr
Trade, Transportation and Utilities	220	$46.49/hr
Information	10	$39.99/hr
Financial Activities	20	$51.09/hr
Professional and Business Services	430	$37.52/hr
Education and Health Services	160	$42.79/hr
Leisure and Hospitality	N/A	N/A
Other Services	N/A	N/A
Public Administration	820	$61.93/hr

Other Regional Data for Computer Programmers

Geography	Employment	Median Wage	Projections % Change 2022-2032
Northeast Balance of State	N/A	N/A	N/A
Grand Forks ND-MN MSA	10	$45.23/hr	N/A
Duluth MN-WI MSA	20	$40.69/hr	N/A
Southwest Balance of State	20	$42.27/hr	N/A
La Crosse WI-MN MSA	20	$40.36/hr	N/A
Northeast Minnesota	20	$40.50/hr	-14.8%
Rochester MN MSA	30	$32.16/hr	N/A
Mankato-North Mankato MN MSA	40	$41.86/hr	N/A
St Cloud MN MSA	40	$38.37/hr	N/A
Southwest Minnesota	60	$42.27/hr	-12.3%
Southeast Balance of State	60	$47.72/hr	N/A
Northwest Balance of State	60	$39.88/hr	N/A
Northwest Minnesota	70	$39.37/hr	-12.5%
Central Minnesota	70	$39.43/hr	-8.3%
Southeast Minnesota	80	$41.50/hr	-9.0%
Fargo ND-MN MSA	100	$45.61/hr	N/A
Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN	1,530	$59.79/hr	-14.0%
Minneapolis-St Paul-Bloomington MN-WI MSA	1,570	$58.32/hr	N/A
Minnesota	2,070	$53.00/hr	-13.4%

Related Occupations

Occupations	Employment	Median Wage	Projections % Change 2022-2032
Web Developers	1,200	$49.93/hr	15.7%
Database Architects	1,240	$65.75/hr	7.7%
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers	2,630	$50.26/hr	18.9%
Computer Systems Analysts	11,330	$52.56/hr	7.3%

Task for Computer Programmers

Assign, coordinate, and review work and activities of programming personnel.
Consult with and assist computer operators or system analysts to define and resolve problems in running computer programs.
Perform or direct revision, repair, or expansion of existing programs to increase operating efficiency or adapt to new requirements.
Perform systems analysis and programming tasks to maintain and control the use of computer systems software as a systems programmer.
Compile and write documentation of program development and subsequent revisions, inserting comments in the coded instructions so others can understand the program.
Write, analyze, review, and rewrite programs, using workflow chart and diagram, and applying knowledge of computer capabilities, subject matter, and symbolic logic.
Consult with managerial, engineering, and technical personnel to clarify program intent, identify problems, and suggest changes.
Correct errors by making appropriate changes and rechecking the program to ensure that the desired results are produced.
Consult with managerial, engineering, and technical personnel to clarify program intent, identify problems, and suggest changes.
Perform systems analysis and programming tasks to maintain and control the use of computer systems software as a systems programmer.