Computer Programmers vs Retail Salespersons: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Computer Programmers professionals earn $64,090 more per year than Retail Salespersons professionals — that's 185.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Programmers earns $162,090 compared to $47,930 for Retail Salespersons.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Programmers$52,190 – $162,090
Retail Salespersons$25,600 – $47,930
$25,600$162,090
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Programmers | Retail Salespersons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,190 | $25,600 | +$26,590 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,860 | $29,140 | +$42,720 |
| Median (50th) | $98,670 | $34,580 | +$64,090 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,960 | $37,850 | +$91,110 |
| 90th Percentile | $162,090 | $47,930 | +$114,160 |
| Mean (Average) | $103,640 | $37,150 | +$66,490 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Programmers
109,870
employed nationwide
Retail Salespersons
3,800,250
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 Retail Salespersons
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $43,040 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $42,490 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $39,180 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $37,500 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $37,350 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Programmers or Retail Salespersons?
Computer Programmers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $64,090 (185.3% 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 Retail Salespersons?
Retail Salespersons salaries range from $25,600 (10th percentile) to $47,930 (90th percentile), with a median of $34,580.
How many Computer Programmers and Retail Salespersons jobs are there?
There are approximately 109,870 Computer Programmers positions and 3,800,250 Retail Salespersons positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Retail Salespersons to Computer Programmers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Programmers has a median salary of $98,670 while Retail Salespersons earns $34,580. 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