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Contract Programmer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Wynd Labs

Smart Contract Engineer - SVM

New York, NY

Smart Contract Engineer - SVM $150k - $230k Who We Are. Wynd Labs is an early-stage startup that is on a mission to make public web data accessible for AI through contributions to Grass. Grass is a ...

Paxos Labs

Smart Contract Engineer

New York, NY · On-site +1

We're hiring a Smart Contract Engineer to help scale Paxos Labs's DeFi protocol infrastructure capabilities. Who we're looking for The smart contract team at Paxos Labs consists of experienced ...

Category Labs

Smart Contract Engineer

New York, NY · On-site +1

$180K - $250K/yr

The Role Category Labs is looking for a Smart Contract Engineer to join the core engineering team to build at the application layer. The work can range from direct collaboration with external app and ...

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How much do contract programmer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for contract programmer in the United States is $34.58, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.60 and $43.75 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Contract Programmer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract Programmer, you need strong programming skills in relevant languages, a solid understanding of software development methodologies, and typically a degree in computer science or related field. Familiarity with version control systems like Git, integrated development environments (IDEs), and knowledge of frameworks or cloud platforms are commonly required. Excellent problem-solving abilities, self-motivation, and clear communication with clients set top contract programmers apart. These skills ensure the delivery of high-quality, maintainable code that meets client needs and project deadlines in a dynamic work environment.

What is the difference between Contract Programmer vs Software Developer?

AspectContract ProgrammerSoftware Developer
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in computer science or related field, with experience in specific programming languagesUsually holds a degree in computer science or software engineering, with similar certifications
Work EnvironmentWorks on short-term projects, often remotely, with flexible schedulesMay work full-time in an office or remotely, involved in ongoing development
Employer & Industry UsageHired by companies for specific projects or freelance work across various industriesEmployed by companies or as freelancers, involved in software creation and maintenance

In summary, Contract Programmers focus on short-term, project-based work, often freelance or temporary, while Software Developers typically work on ongoing development within a company or as full-time employees. Both roles require similar skills and credentials but differ mainly in work scope and employment type.

How do contract programmers typically manage communication and collaboration with client teams while working remotely?

Contract programmers often work off-site, which makes effective communication and collaboration essential for project success. Most clients use project management tools like Jira, Trello, or Asana, and require regular check-ins via video calls, chat platforms, or emails. It’s important for contract programmers to proactively share progress, clarify requirements, and ask questions as needed to stay aligned with the client’s expectations. Building strong communication habits helps ensure timely delivery and fosters a positive working relationship with diverse team members, even when working remotely.

What is a contract programmer?

A contract programmer is a software developer who is hired on a temporary basis to work on specific projects or tasks for a company. Unlike full-time employees, contract programmers typically work for a set period or until the completion of a particular project. They may work independently or through an agency, and their expertise is often sought for specialized or short-term needs. Contract programmers can work on-site or remotely, and they usually have flexible arrangements regarding hours and workflow.
More about Contract Programmer jobs
What cities are hiring for Contract Programmer jobs? Cities with the most Contract Programmer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Programmer jobs? The most popular types of Programmer jobs are:
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Contract Programmer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Programmer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 82% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 16% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $71,922 per year, or $34.6 per hour.
Contract Event Programmer (Remote)

Contract Event Programmer (Remote)

The Athletic Media Company

Remote

$90K - $110K/yr

Contractor

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

About Us
Powered by one of the largest global newsrooms in sports media, The Athletic brings sports fans the most comprehensive stories about the teams, sports and athletes they love. The Athletic's newsroom of 500+ full-time staff delivers in-depth coverage of hundreds of professional and college teams across more than 47 North American markets and all 20 football clubs in the English Premier League, as well as many Championship clubs.
About the Role
The Athletic is seeking a Contract Event Programmer to develop and execute compelling programming for our live events. This role will work closely with our newsroom, editorial leadership, and commercial and creative development teams to shape conversations, identify talent, and bring our journalism off the page and onto the stage.
This is a highly collaborative, creative role for someone who understands the sports landscape, thrives at the intersection of media and live experiences, has experience sourcing and managing talent, and framing and producing high-level conversations - from top-tier athletes and journalists to emerging voices in the industry.
This is a freelance, project-based position supporting key tentpole events throughout the year.
Responsibilities
  • Partner with The Athletic newsroom and editorial leads to develop event concepts and programming that reflect our journalism and audience interests
  • Research, identify, and secure talent - including athletes, coaches, executives, and cultural figures - working through outreach, negotiations, and contracting
  • Build and shape run of show, including conversation arcs, formats and session structure
  • Collaborate with moderators, journalists, and hosts to prepare for on-stage conversations, including briefing materials and prep calls
  • Work cross-functionally with internal teams (editorial, marketing, commercial, creative development, production) to ensure seamless execution
  • Stay ahead of trends across sports, media, and culture to inform timely and relevant programming
  • Contribute to extending the life of event content across platforms (editorial, video, audio, social)

Requirements
  • Minimum of 8+ years of experience programming live events, ideally within sports, media or entertainment
  • Deep knowledge of the sports landscape, including leagues, athletes and key storylines
  • Proven experience sourcing, booking, and managing high-profile talent
  • Strong editorial instincts and the ability to shape compelling narratives and conversations
  • Experience working with journalists or editorial teams is highly preferred
  • Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with a strong network across sports and media
  • Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously
  • Comfortable working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and adapting to evolving priorities
  • Willingness to travel for events as needed

The annual base salary range for this role is $90,000.00 - $110,000.00 USD. The total compensation offered for this position may vary based on factors such as education, experience, skills, and location.
For roles in the U.S., dependent on your role, you may be eligible for variable pay, such as an annual bonus and restricted stock. Benefits may include medical, dental and vision benefits, Flexible Spending Accounts (F.S.A.s), a company-matching 401(k) plan, paid vacation, paid sick days, paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement and professional development programs.
For roles outside of the U.S., information on benefits will be provided during the interview process.
We are excited to learn more about you and your experience. To keep our hiring process as fair and authentic as possible, we ask that you submit your own work and not use GenAI tools to generate substantive content during the application and interview process. If you are a candidate for a technical role, we will let you know what specific tools you are permitted to use for your technical assessment.
The Athletic Media Company is an equal opportunity employer and enthusiastically encourages people from all backgrounds and experiences to apply. The Athletic will consider all applicants without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical and/or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
Click here to review our Applicant Privacy Notice, which describes how and when The Athletic Media Company collects, uses, and shares certain personal information of job applicants and prospective employees.
Beware of fraudulent job recruiting schemes! Our recruiters use [email protected] exclusively, and our team members will use an email address with @theathletic.com domain. We do not conduct interviews via text or instant message and we do not ask candidates to download software, to purchase equipment through us, or to provide sensitive personally identifiable information, such as bank accounts or social security numbers. If you have been contacted by someone claiming to be a member of the recruiting/HR team at The Athletic but operating from a different email address about a job offer, please report it as potential job fraud to the law enforcement and to [email protected].

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