Computer Programmers vs Web Developers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Computer Programmers professionals earn $7,740 more per year than Web Developers professionals — that's 8.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Programmers earns $162,090 compared to $162,870 for Web Developers.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Programmers$52,190 – $162,090
Web Developers$48,560 – $162,870
$48,560$162,870
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Programmers | Web Developers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,190 | $48,560 | +$3,630 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,860 | $63,140 | +$8,720 |
| Median (50th) | $98,670 | $90,930 | +$7,740 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,960 | $124,300 | +$4,660 |
| 90th Percentile | $162,090 | $162,870 | $-780 |
| Mean (Average) | $103,640 | $98,790 | +$4,850 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Programmers
109,870
employed nationwide
Web Developers
78,860
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 Web Developers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $161,750 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $157,490 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $126,040 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $120,750 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $117,560 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Programmers or Web Developers?
Computer Programmers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $7,740 (8.5% 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 Web Developers?
Web Developers salaries range from $48,560 (10th percentile) to $162,870 (90th percentile), with a median of $90,930.
How many Computer Programmers and Web Developers jobs are there?
There are approximately 109,870 Computer Programmers positions and 78,860 Web Developers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Web Developers to Computer Programmers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Programmers has a median salary of $98,670 while Web Developers earns $90,930. 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