SalaryByCity

Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists vs Software Developers: Salary Comparison (2024)

Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists

$76,950

Median annual salary

861,140 employed nationally

Software Developers

$133,080

Median annual salary

1,654,440 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Software Developers professionals earn $56,130 more per year than Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists professionals — that's 72.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists earns $144,610 compared to $211,450 for Software Developers.

Salary Range Comparison

Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$42,070 – $144,610
Software Developers$79,850 – $211,450
$42,070$211,450

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileMarket Research Analysts and Marketing SpecialistsSoftware DevelopersDifference
10th Percentile$42,070$79,850$-37,780
25th Percentile$56,220$103,050$-46,830
Median (50th)$76,950$133,080$-56,130
75th Percentile$104,870$169,000$-64,130
90th Percentile$144,610$211,450$-66,840
Mean (Average)$86,480$144,570$-58,090

Employment Numbers

Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists

861,140

employed nationwide

Software Developers

1,654,440

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$139,140
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$124,840
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$102,390
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA$97,360
Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH$95,930

Best Cities for Software Developers

CityMedian
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: Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists or Software Developers?
Software Developers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $56,130 (72.9% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists?
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists salaries range from $42,070 (10th percentile) to $144,610 (90th percentile), with a median of $76,950.
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 Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists and Software Developers jobs are there?
There are approximately 861,140 Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists positions and 1,654,440 Software Developers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Developers to Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists has a median salary of $76,950 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