Construction Managers 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 $26,100 more per year than Construction Managers professionals — that's 24.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Construction Managers earns $176,990 compared to $211,450 for Software Developers.
Salary Range Comparison
Construction Managers$65,160 – $176,990
Software Developers$79,850 – $211,450
$65,160$211,450
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Construction Managers | Software Developers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $65,160 | $79,850 | $-14,690 |
| 25th Percentile | $83,480 | $103,050 | $-19,570 |
| Median (50th) | $106,980 | $133,080 | $-26,100 |
| 75th Percentile | $139,330 | $169,000 | $-29,670 |
| 90th Percentile | $176,990 | $211,450 | $-34,460 |
| Mean (Average) | $119,660 | $144,570 | $-24,910 |
Employment Numbers
Construction Managers
348,330
employed nationwide
Software Developers
1,654,440
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Construction Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $151,980 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $138,000 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $136,970 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $128,730 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $128,190 |
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: Construction Managers or Software Developers?
Software Developers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $26,100 (24.4% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Construction Managers?
Construction Managers salaries range from $65,160 (10th percentile) to $176,990 (90th percentile), with a median of $106,980.
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 Construction Managers and Software Developers jobs are there?
There are approximately 348,330 Construction Managers positions and 1,654,440 Software Developers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Developers to Construction Managers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Construction Managers has a median salary of $106,980 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