Education Administrators, Postsecondary 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 $29,120 more per year than Education Administrators, Postsecondary professionals — that's 28.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Education Administrators, Postsecondary earns $212,420 compared to $211,450 for Software Developers.
Salary Range Comparison
Education Administrators, Postsecondary$63,820 – $212,420
Software Developers$79,850 – $211,450
$63,820$212,420
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Education Administrators, Postsecondary | Software Developers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $63,820 | $79,850 | $-16,030 |
| 25th Percentile | $79,880 | $103,050 | $-23,170 |
| Median (50th) | $103,960 | $133,080 | $-29,120 |
| 75th Percentile | $140,940 | $169,000 | $-28,060 |
| 90th Percentile | $212,420 | $211,450 | +$970 |
| Mean (Average) | $124,450 | $144,570 | $-20,120 |
Employment Numbers
Education Administrators, Postsecondary
176,420
employed nationwide
Software Developers
1,654,440
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Education Administrators, Postsecondary
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $137,490 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $136,880 |
| Rochester, NY | $132,150 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $131,910 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $129,330 |
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: Education Administrators, Postsecondary or Software Developers?
Software Developers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $29,120 (28.0% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Education Administrators, Postsecondary?
Education Administrators, Postsecondary salaries range from $63,820 (10th percentile) to $212,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $103,960.
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 Education Administrators, Postsecondary and Software Developers jobs are there?
There are approximately 176,420 Education Administrators, Postsecondary positions and 1,654,440 Software Developers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Developers to Education Administrators, Postsecondary?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Education Administrators, Postsecondary has a median salary of $103,960 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