Management 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 $31,890 more per year than Management Analysts professionals — that's 31.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Management Analysts earns $174,140 compared to $211,450 for Software Developers.
Salary Range Comparison
Management Analysts$59,720 – $174,140
Software Developers$79,850 – $211,450
$59,720$211,450
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Management Analysts | Software Developers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $59,720 | $79,850 | $-20,130 |
| 25th Percentile | $76,770 | $103,050 | $-26,280 |
| Median (50th) | $101,190 | $133,080 | $-31,890 |
| 75th Percentile | $133,140 | $169,000 | $-35,860 |
| 90th Percentile | $174,140 | $211,450 | $-37,310 |
| Mean (Average) | $114,710 | $144,570 | $-29,860 |
Employment Numbers
Management Analysts
893,900
employed nationwide
Software Developers
1,654,440
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Management Analysts
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $141,150 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $134,580 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $129,900 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $128,120 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $125,820 |
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: Management Analysts or Software Developers?
Software Developers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $31,890 (31.5% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Management Analysts?
Management Analysts salaries range from $59,720 (10th percentile) to $174,140 (90th percentile), with a median of $101,190.
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 Management Analysts and Software Developers jobs are there?
There are approximately 893,900 Management Analysts positions and 1,654,440 Software Developers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Developers to Management Analysts?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Management Analysts has a median salary of $101,190 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