Computer Programmers vs Food Service Managers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Computer Programmers professionals earn $33,360 more per year than Food Service Managers professionals — that's 51.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Programmers earns $162,090 compared to $105,420 for Food Service Managers.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Programmers$52,190 – $162,090
Food Service Managers$42,380 – $105,420
$42,380$162,090
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Programmers | Food Service Managers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,190 | $42,380 | +$9,810 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,860 | $53,090 | +$18,770 |
| Median (50th) | $98,670 | $65,310 | +$33,360 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,960 | $82,300 | +$46,660 |
| 90th Percentile | $162,090 | $105,420 | +$56,670 |
| Mean (Average) | $103,640 | $72,370 | +$31,270 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Programmers
109,870
employed nationwide
Food Service Managers
244,230
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 Food Service Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $95,540 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $86,840 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $84,180 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $82,570 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $82,400 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Programmers or Food Service Managers?
Computer Programmers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $33,360 (51.1% 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 Food Service Managers?
Food Service Managers salaries range from $42,380 (10th percentile) to $105,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $65,310.
How many Computer Programmers and Food Service Managers jobs are there?
There are approximately 109,870 Computer Programmers positions and 244,230 Food Service Managers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Food Service Managers to Computer Programmers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Programmers has a median salary of $98,670 while Food Service Managers earns $65,310. 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