Information Security Analysts 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 $8,170 more per year than Information Security Analysts professionals — that's 6.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Information Security Analysts earns $186,420 compared to $211,450 for Software Developers.
Salary Range Comparison
Information Security Analysts$69,660 – $186,420
Software Developers$79,850 – $211,450
$69,660$211,450
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Information Security Analysts | Software Developers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $69,660 | $79,850 | $-10,190 |
| 25th Percentile | $92,160 | $103,050 | $-10,890 |
| Median (50th) | $124,910 | $133,080 | $-8,170 |
| 75th Percentile | $159,600 | $169,000 | $-9,400 |
| 90th Percentile | $186,420 | $211,450 | $-25,030 |
| Mean (Average) | $127,730 | $144,570 | $-16,840 |
Employment Numbers
Information Security Analysts
179,430
employed nationwide
Software Developers
1,654,440
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Information Security Analysts
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $175,520 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $168,160 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $152,660 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $138,410 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $138,360 |
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: Information Security Analysts or Software Developers?
Software Developers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $8,170 (6.5% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Information Security Analysts?
Information Security Analysts salaries range from $69,660 (10th percentile) to $186,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $124,910.
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 Information Security Analysts and Software Developers jobs are there?
There are approximately 179,430 Information Security Analysts positions and 1,654,440 Software Developers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Developers to Information Security Analysts?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Information Security Analysts has a median salary of $124,910 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