Computer Programmers vs Software Developers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Software Developers professionals earn $34,410 more per year than Computer Programmers professionals — that's 34.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Programmers earns $162,090 compared to $211,450 for Software Developers.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Programmers$52,190 – $162,090
Software Developers$79,850 – $211,450
$52,190$211,450
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Programmers | Software Developers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,190 | $79,850 | $-27,660 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,860 | $103,050 | $-31,190 |
| Median (50th) | $98,670 | $133,080 | $-34,410 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,960 | $169,000 | $-40,040 |
| 90th Percentile | $162,090 | $211,450 | $-49,360 |
| Mean (Average) | $103,640 | $144,570 | $-40,930 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Programmers
109,870
employed nationwide
Software Developers
1,654,440
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 Software Developers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $208,270 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $174,910 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $169,340 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $161,970 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $159,240 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Programmers or Software Developers?
Software Developers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $34,410 (34.9% 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 Software Developers?
Software Developers salaries range from $79,850 (10th percentile) to $211,450 (90th percentile), with a median of $133,080.
How many Computer Programmers and Software Developers jobs are there?
There are approximately 109,870 Computer Programmers positions and 1,654,440 Software Developers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Developers to Computer Programmers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Programmers has a median salary of $98,670 while Software Developers earns $133,080. 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