Whats the highest salary a computer programmer can make a year?
Wallstreet programmers make the most at between $150K -$300K with 10 years experience. It cost a lot to live in new York though. The commute is long, the jobs are few. In the Southeast where I live , Fulltimers with 10+ years experience make about $90K, subcontractors can make about $120K (no benefits) , Independents (who market and get their own clients as 1099s) can make about $160K. These are typical numbers. If you just want cash and you don’t mind travel and living in hotels you can make $150k as a subcontractor, but every 6 mos to a year you have to find another gig. Most do not have the business skills to make enough as an Independent so that leaves subcontracting (30% more money but no benes and looking for new work every year). After a while as a sub you will want to stay somewhere for a while and become a permie and learning to make do on your small salary like $95K. Check out computerworld’s salary survey 2007 for more info.
