Project Management Specialists 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 $32,330 more per year than Project Management Specialists professionals — that's 32.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Project Management Specialists earns $165,790 compared to $211,450 for Software Developers.
Salary Range Comparison
Project Management Specialists$59,830 – $165,790
Software Developers$79,850 – $211,450
$59,830$211,450
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Project Management Specialists | Software Developers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $59,830 | $79,850 | $-20,020 |
| 25th Percentile | $76,950 | $103,050 | $-26,100 |
| Median (50th) | $100,750 | $133,080 | $-32,330 |
| 75th Percentile | $131,660 | $169,000 | $-37,340 |
| 90th Percentile | $165,790 | $211,450 | $-45,660 |
| Mean (Average) | $108,100 | $144,570 | $-36,470 |
Employment Numbers
Project Management Specialists
1,006,160
employed nationwide
Software Developers
1,654,440
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Project Management Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $136,250 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $132,530 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $125,390 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $123,670 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $121,680 |
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: Project Management Specialists or Software Developers?
Software Developers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $32,330 (32.1% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Project Management Specialists?
Project Management Specialists salaries range from $59,830 (10th percentile) to $165,790 (90th percentile), with a median of $100,750.
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 Project Management Specialists and Software Developers jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,006,160 Project Management Specialists positions and 1,654,440 Software Developers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Developers to Project Management Specialists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Project Management Specialists has a median salary of $100,750 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