Computer Programmers vs Medical Assistants: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Computer Programmers professionals earn $54,470 more per year than Medical Assistants professionals — that's 123.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Programmers earns $162,090 compared to $57,830 for Medical Assistants.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Programmers$52,190 – $162,090
Medical Assistants$35,020 – $57,830
$35,020$162,090
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Programmers | Medical Assistants | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,190 | $35,020 | +$17,170 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,860 | $37,610 | +$34,250 |
| Median (50th) | $98,670 | $44,200 | +$54,470 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,960 | $48,160 | +$80,800 |
| 90th Percentile | $162,090 | $57,830 | +$104,260 |
| Mean (Average) | $103,640 | $44,720 | +$58,920 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Programmers
109,870
employed nationwide
Medical Assistants
793,460
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 Medical Assistants
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $62,570 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $62,290 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $59,910 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $58,850 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $52,040 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Programmers or Medical Assistants?
Computer Programmers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $54,470 (123.2% 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 Medical Assistants?
Medical Assistants salaries range from $35,020 (10th percentile) to $57,830 (90th percentile), with a median of $44,200.
How many Computer Programmers and Medical Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 109,870 Computer Programmers positions and 793,460 Medical Assistants positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Medical Assistants to Computer Programmers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Programmers has a median salary of $98,670 while Medical Assistants earns $44,200. 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