Accountants and Auditors vs Software Developers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Software Developers professionals earn $51,400 more per year than Accountants and Auditors professionals — that's 62.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Accountants and Auditors earns $141,420 compared to $211,450 for Software Developers.
Salary Range Comparison
Accountants and Auditors$52,780 – $141,420
Software Developers$79,850 – $211,450
$52,780$211,450
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Accountants and Auditors | Software Developers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,780 | $79,850 | $-27,070 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,660 | $103,050 | $-38,390 |
| Median (50th) | $81,680 | $133,080 | $-51,400 |
| 75th Percentile | $106,450 | $169,000 | $-62,550 |
| 90th Percentile | $141,420 | $211,450 | $-70,030 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,520 | $144,570 | $-51,050 |
Employment Numbers
Accountants and Auditors
1,448,290
employed nationwide
Software Developers
1,654,440
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 Software Developers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $208,270 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $174,910 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $169,340 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $161,970 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $159,240 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Accountants and Auditors or Software Developers?
Software Developers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $51,400 (62.9% 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 Software Developers?
Software Developers salaries range from $79,850 (10th percentile) to $211,450 (90th percentile), with a median of $133,080.
How many Accountants and Auditors and Software Developers jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,448,290 Accountants and Auditors positions and 1,654,440 Software Developers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Developers to Accountants and Auditors?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Accountants and Auditors has a median salary of $81,680 while Software Developers earns $133,080. 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