Computer Programmers vs Office Clerks, General: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Computer Programmers professionals earn $55,040 more per year than Office Clerks, General professionals — that's 126.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Programmers earns $162,090 compared to $63,840 for Office Clerks, General.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Programmers$52,190 – $162,090
Office Clerks, General$29,120 – $63,840
$29,120$162,090
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Programmers | Office Clerks, General | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,190 | $29,120 | +$23,070 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,860 | $35,350 | +$36,510 |
| Median (50th) | $98,670 | $43,630 | +$55,040 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,960 | $52,560 | +$76,400 |
| 90th Percentile | $162,090 | $63,840 | +$98,250 |
| Mean (Average) | $103,640 | $45,470 | +$58,170 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Programmers
109,870
employed nationwide
Office Clerks, General
2,510,550
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 Office Clerks, General
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $58,920 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $56,330 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $55,790 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $53,640 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $51,270 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Programmers or Office Clerks, General?
Computer Programmers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $55,040 (126.2% 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 Office Clerks, General?
Office Clerks, General salaries range from $29,120 (10th percentile) to $63,840 (90th percentile), with a median of $43,630.
How many Computer Programmers and Office Clerks, General jobs are there?
There are approximately 109,870 Computer Programmers positions and 2,510,550 Office Clerks, General positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Office Clerks, General to Computer Programmers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Programmers has a median salary of $98,670 while Office Clerks, General earns $43,630. 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