Computer Programmers vs Managers, All Other: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Managers, All Other professionals earn $37,880 more per year than Computer Programmers professionals — that's 38.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Programmers earns $162,090 compared to $227,590 for Managers, All Other.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Programmers$52,190 – $162,090
Managers, All Other$68,860 – $227,590
$52,190$227,590
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Programmers | Managers, All Other | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,190 | $68,860 | $-16,670 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,860 | $100,010 | $-28,150 |
| Median (50th) | $98,670 | $136,550 | $-37,880 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,960 | $179,190 | $-50,230 |
| 90th Percentile | $162,090 | $227,590 | $-65,500 |
| Mean (Average) | $103,640 | $149,890 | $-46,250 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Programmers
109,870
employed nationwide
Managers, All Other
630,980
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 Managers, All Other
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $215,120 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $203,030 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $174,840 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $168,750 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $168,680 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Programmers or Managers, All Other?
Managers, All Other professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $37,880 (38.4% 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 Managers, All Other?
Managers, All Other salaries range from $68,860 (10th percentile) to $227,590 (90th percentile), with a median of $136,550.
How many Computer Programmers and Managers, All Other jobs are there?
There are approximately 109,870 Computer Programmers positions and 630,980 Managers, All Other positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Managers, All Other to Computer Programmers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Programmers has a median salary of $98,670 while Managers, All Other earns $136,550. 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