Computer Programmers vs Education Administrators, Postsecondary: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Education Administrators, Postsecondary professionals earn $5,290 more per year than Computer Programmers professionals — that's 5.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Programmers earns $162,090 compared to $212,420 for Education Administrators, Postsecondary.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Programmers$52,190 – $162,090
Education Administrators, Postsecondary$63,820 – $212,420
$52,190$212,420
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Programmers | Education Administrators, Postsecondary | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,190 | $63,820 | $-11,630 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,860 | $79,880 | $-8,020 |
| Median (50th) | $98,670 | $103,960 | $-5,290 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,960 | $140,940 | $-11,980 |
| 90th Percentile | $162,090 | $212,420 | $-50,330 |
| Mean (Average) | $103,640 | $124,450 | $-20,810 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Programmers
109,870
employed nationwide
Education Administrators, Postsecondary
176,420
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 Education Administrators, Postsecondary
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $137,490 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $136,880 |
| Rochester, NY | $132,150 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $131,910 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $129,330 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Programmers or Education Administrators, Postsecondary?
Education Administrators, Postsecondary professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $5,290 (5.4% 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 Education Administrators, Postsecondary?
Education Administrators, Postsecondary salaries range from $63,820 (10th percentile) to $212,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $103,960.
How many Computer Programmers and Education Administrators, Postsecondary jobs are there?
There are approximately 109,870 Computer Programmers positions and 176,420 Education Administrators, Postsecondary positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Education Administrators, Postsecondary to Computer Programmers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Programmers has a median salary of $98,670 while Education Administrators, Postsecondary earns $103,960. 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