Software Developers vs Transit and Railroad Police: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Software Developers professionals earn $50,760 more per year than Transit and Railroad Police professionals — that's 61.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Software Developers earns $211,450 compared to $141,870 for Transit and Railroad Police.
Salary Range Comparison
Software Developers$79,850 – $211,450
Transit and Railroad Police$58,370 – $141,870
$58,370$211,450
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Software Developers | Transit and Railroad Police | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $79,850 | $58,370 | +$21,480 |
| 25th Percentile | $103,050 | $65,920 | +$37,130 |
| Median (50th) | $133,080 | $82,320 | +$50,760 |
| 75th Percentile | $169,000 | $114,040 | +$54,960 |
| 90th Percentile | $211,450 | $141,870 | +$69,580 |
| Mean (Average) | $144,570 | $91,820 | +$52,750 |
Employment Numbers
Software Developers
1,654,440
employed nationwide
Transit and Railroad Police
3,000
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
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 |
Best Cities for Transit and Railroad Police
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $108,490 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $91,930 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $89,220 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $86,650 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Software Developers or Transit and Railroad Police?
Software Developers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $50,760 (61.7% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
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.
What is the salary range for Transit and Railroad Police?
Transit and Railroad Police salaries range from $58,370 (10th percentile) to $141,870 (90th percentile), with a median of $82,320.
How many Software Developers and Transit and Railroad Police jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,654,440 Software Developers positions and 3,000 Transit and Railroad Police positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Transit and Railroad Police to Software Developers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Software Developers has a median salary of $133,080 while Transit and Railroad Police earns $82,320. 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