Computer Programmers vs Information Security Analysts: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Information Security Analysts professionals earn $26,240 more per year than Computer Programmers professionals — that's 26.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Programmers earns $162,090 compared to $186,420 for Information Security Analysts.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Programmers$52,190 – $162,090
Information Security Analysts$69,660 – $186,420
$52,190$186,420
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Programmers | Information Security Analysts | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,190 | $69,660 | $-17,470 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,860 | $92,160 | $-20,300 |
| Median (50th) | $98,670 | $124,910 | $-26,240 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,960 | $159,600 | $-30,640 |
| 90th Percentile | $162,090 | $186,420 | $-24,330 |
| Mean (Average) | $103,640 | $127,730 | $-24,090 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Programmers
109,870
employed nationwide
Information Security Analysts
179,430
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 Information Security Analysts
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $175,520 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $168,160 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $152,660 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $138,410 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $138,360 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Programmers or Information Security Analysts?
Information Security Analysts professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $26,240 (26.6% 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 Information Security Analysts?
Information Security Analysts salaries range from $69,660 (10th percentile) to $186,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $124,910.
How many Computer Programmers and Information Security Analysts jobs are there?
There are approximately 109,870 Computer Programmers positions and 179,430 Information Security Analysts positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Information Security Analysts to Computer Programmers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Programmers has a median salary of $98,670 while Information Security Analysts earns $124,910. 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