Accountants and Auditors vs Computer Programmers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Computer Programmers professionals earn $16,990 more per year than Accountants and Auditors professionals — that's 20.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Accountants and Auditors earns $141,420 compared to $162,090 for Computer Programmers.
Salary Range Comparison
Accountants and Auditors$52,780 – $141,420
Computer Programmers$52,190 – $162,090
$52,190$162,090
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Accountants and Auditors | Computer Programmers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,780 | $52,190 | +$590 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,660 | $71,860 | $-7,200 |
| Median (50th) | $81,680 | $98,670 | $-16,990 |
| 75th Percentile | $106,450 | $128,960 | $-22,510 |
| 90th Percentile | $141,420 | $162,090 | $-20,670 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,520 | $103,640 | $-10,120 |
Employment Numbers
Accountants and Auditors
1,448,290
employed nationwide
Computer Programmers
109,870
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Accountants and Auditors
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $121,630 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $105,750 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $105,100 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $99,440 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $99,380 |
Best Cities for Computer Programmers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $167,970 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $159,250 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $133,560 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $122,580 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $122,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Accountants and Auditors or Computer Programmers?
Computer Programmers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $16,990 (20.8% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Accountants and Auditors?
Accountants and Auditors salaries range from $52,780 (10th percentile) to $141,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $81,680.
What is the salary range for Computer Programmers?
Computer Programmers salaries range from $52,190 (10th percentile) to $162,090 (90th percentile), with a median of $98,670.
How many Accountants and Auditors and Computer Programmers jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,448,290 Accountants and Auditors positions and 109,870 Computer Programmers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Computer Programmers to Accountants and Auditors?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Accountants and Auditors has a median salary of $81,680 while Computer Programmers earns $98,670. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS