Registered Nurses 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 $39,480 more per year than Registered Nurses professionals — that's 42.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Registered Nurses earns $135,320 compared to $211,450 for Software Developers.
Salary Range Comparison
Registered Nurses$66,030 – $135,320
Software Developers$79,850 – $211,450
$66,030$211,450
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Registered Nurses | Software Developers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $66,030 | $79,850 | $-13,820 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,610 | $103,050 | $-24,440 |
| Median (50th) | $93,600 | $133,080 | $-39,480 |
| 75th Percentile | $107,960 | $169,000 | $-61,040 |
| 90th Percentile | $135,320 | $211,450 | $-76,130 |
| Mean (Average) | $98,430 | $144,570 | $-46,140 |
Employment Numbers
Registered Nurses
3,282,010
employed nationwide
Software Developers
1,654,440
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Registered Nurses
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $208,940 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $188,020 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $169,210 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $133,440 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $133,090 |
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: Registered Nurses or Software Developers?
Software Developers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $39,480 (42.2% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses salaries range from $66,030 (10th percentile) to $135,320 (90th percentile), with a median of $93,600.
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 Registered Nurses and Software Developers jobs are there?
There are approximately 3,282,010 Registered Nurses positions and 1,654,440 Software Developers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Developers to Registered Nurses?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Registered Nurses has a median salary of $93,600 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