Computer Network Support Specialists 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 $25,330 more per year than Computer Network Support Specialists professionals — that's 34.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Network Support Specialists earns $124,470 compared to $162,090 for Computer Programmers.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Network Support Specialists$46,010 – $124,470
Computer Programmers$52,190 – $162,090
$46,010$162,090
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Network Support Specialists | Computer Programmers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,010 | $52,190 | $-6,180 |
| 25th Percentile | $56,720 | $71,860 | $-15,140 |
| Median (50th) | $73,340 | $98,670 | $-25,330 |
| 75th Percentile | $95,710 | $128,960 | $-33,250 |
| 90th Percentile | $124,470 | $162,090 | $-37,620 |
| Mean (Average) | $79,610 | $103,640 | $-24,030 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Network Support Specialists
146,450
employed nationwide
Computer Programmers
109,870
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Computer Network Support Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $104,130 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $98,670 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $98,490 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $97,200 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $88,980 |
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: Computer Network Support Specialists or Computer Programmers?
Computer Programmers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $25,330 (34.5% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Computer Network Support Specialists?
Computer Network Support Specialists salaries range from $46,010 (10th percentile) to $124,470 (90th percentile), with a median of $73,340.
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 Computer Network Support Specialists and Computer Programmers jobs are there?
There are approximately 146,450 Computer Network Support Specialists positions and 109,870 Computer Programmers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Computer Programmers to Computer Network Support Specialists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Network Support Specialists has a median salary of $73,340 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