Computer Programmers vs Cost Estimators: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Computer Programmers professionals earn $21,600 more per year than Cost Estimators professionals — that's 28.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Programmers earns $162,090 compared to $128,640 for Cost Estimators.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Programmers$52,190 – $162,090
Cost Estimators$46,330 – $128,640
$46,330$162,090
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Programmers | Cost Estimators | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,190 | $46,330 | +$5,860 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,860 | $59,830 | +$12,030 |
| Median (50th) | $98,670 | $77,070 | +$21,600 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,960 | $99,630 | +$29,330 |
| 90th Percentile | $162,090 | $128,640 | +$33,450 |
| Mean (Average) | $103,640 | $83,160 | +$20,480 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Programmers
109,870
employed nationwide
Cost Estimators
219,530
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
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 |
Best Cities for Cost Estimators
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $104,190 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $103,030 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $97,990 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $86,540 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $86,300 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Programmers or Cost Estimators?
Computer Programmers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $21,600 (28.0% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
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.
What is the salary range for Cost Estimators?
Cost Estimators salaries range from $46,330 (10th percentile) to $128,640 (90th percentile), with a median of $77,070.
How many Computer Programmers and Cost Estimators jobs are there?
There are approximately 109,870 Computer Programmers positions and 219,530 Cost Estimators positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Cost Estimators to Computer Programmers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Programmers has a median salary of $98,670 while Cost Estimators earns $77,070. 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