SalaryByCity

Computer Programmers vs Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents: Salary Comparison (2024)

Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Computer Programmers

$98,670

Median annual salary

109,870 employed nationally

Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents

$78,140

Median annual salary

472,300 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Computer Programmers professionals earn $20,530 more per year than Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents professionals — that's 26.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Programmers earns $162,090 compared to $215,210 for Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents.

Salary Range Comparison

Computer Programmers$52,190 – $162,090
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents$47,080 – $215,210
$47,080$215,210

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileComputer ProgrammersSecurities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales AgentsDifference
10th Percentile$52,190$47,080+$5,110
25th Percentile$71,860$51,600+$20,260
Median (50th)$98,670$78,140+$20,530
75th Percentile$128,960$129,480$-520
90th Percentile$162,090$215,210$-53,120
Mean (Average)$103,640$110,400$-6,760

Employment Numbers

Computer Programmers

109,870

employed nationwide

Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents

472,300

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Computer Programmers

CityMedian
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 Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents

CityMedian
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA$166,170
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$101,720
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$97,110
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI$95,910
Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH$84,270

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Computer Programmers or Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents?
Computer Programmers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $20,530 (26.3% 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 Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents?
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents salaries range from $47,080 (10th percentile) to $215,210 (90th percentile), with a median of $78,140.
How many Computer Programmers and Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents jobs are there?
There are approximately 109,870 Computer Programmers positions and 472,300 Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents to Computer Programmers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Programmers has a median salary of $98,670 while Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents earns $78,140. 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