Computer Programmers vs Financial Risk Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Financial Risk Specialists professionals earn $7,330 more per year than Computer Programmers professionals — that's 7.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Programmers earns $162,090 compared to $182,310 for Financial Risk Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Programmers$52,190 – $162,090
Financial Risk Specialists$62,270 – $182,310
$52,190$182,310
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Programmers | Financial Risk Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,190 | $62,270 | $-10,080 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,860 | $80,280 | $-8,420 |
| Median (50th) | $98,670 | $106,000 | $-7,330 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,960 | $145,020 | $-16,060 |
| 90th Percentile | $162,090 | $182,310 | $-20,220 |
| Mean (Average) | $103,640 | $119,930 | $-16,290 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Programmers
109,870
employed nationwide
Financial Risk Specialists
56,320
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 Financial Risk Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $141,960 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $140,050 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $137,420 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $130,750 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $128,440 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Programmers or Financial Risk Specialists?
Financial Risk Specialists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $7,330 (7.4% 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 Financial Risk Specialists?
Financial Risk Specialists salaries range from $62,270 (10th percentile) to $182,310 (90th percentile), with a median of $106,000.
How many Computer Programmers and Financial Risk Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 109,870 Computer Programmers positions and 56,320 Financial Risk Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Financial Risk Specialists to Computer Programmers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Programmers has a median salary of $98,670 while Financial Risk Specialists earns $106,000. 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