Computer Network Support Specialists 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 $59,740 more per year than Computer Network Support Specialists professionals — that's 81.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Network Support Specialists earns $124,470 compared to $211,450 for Software Developers.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Network Support Specialists$46,010 – $124,470
Software Developers$79,850 – $211,450
$46,010$211,450
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Network Support Specialists | Software Developers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,010 | $79,850 | $-33,840 |
| 25th Percentile | $56,720 | $103,050 | $-46,330 |
| Median (50th) | $73,340 | $133,080 | $-59,740 |
| 75th Percentile | $95,710 | $169,000 | $-73,290 |
| 90th Percentile | $124,470 | $211,450 | $-86,980 |
| Mean (Average) | $79,610 | $144,570 | $-64,960 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Network Support Specialists
146,450
employed nationwide
Software Developers
1,654,440
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 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: Computer Network Support Specialists or Software Developers?
Software Developers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $59,740 (81.5% 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 Software Developers?
Software Developers salaries range from $79,850 (10th percentile) to $211,450 (90th percentile), with a median of $133,080.
How many Computer Network Support Specialists and Software Developers jobs are there?
There are approximately 146,450 Computer Network Support Specialists positions and 1,654,440 Software Developers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Developers 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 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