Computer Programmers vs Marketing Managers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Marketing Managers professionals earn $62,360 more per year than Computer Programmers professionals — that's 63.2% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Programmers$52,190 – $162,090
Marketing Managers$81,900 – N/A
$52,190$162,090
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Programmers | Marketing Managers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,190 | $81,900 | $-29,710 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,860 | $111,210 | $-39,350 |
| Median (50th) | $98,670 | $161,030 | $-62,360 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,960 | $211,080 | $-82,120 |
| 90th Percentile | $162,090 | N/A | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $103,640 | $171,520 | $-67,880 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Programmers
109,870
employed nationwide
Marketing Managers
384,980
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 Marketing Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $176,240 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $176,100 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $175,560 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $173,880 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $171,590 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Programmers or Marketing Managers?
Marketing Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $62,360 (63.2% 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 Marketing Managers?
Marketing Managers salaries range from $81,900 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $161,030.
How many Computer Programmers and Marketing Managers jobs are there?
There are approximately 109,870 Computer Programmers positions and 384,980 Marketing Managers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Marketing Managers to Computer Programmers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Programmers has a median salary of $98,670 while Marketing Managers earns $161,030. 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