SalaryByCity

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians vs Software Developers: Salary Comparison (2024)

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

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians

$61,890

Median annual salary

343,040 employed nationally

Software Developers

$133,080

Median annual salary

1,654,440 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Software Developers professionals earn $71,190 more per year than Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians professionals — that's 115.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians earns $97,990 compared to $211,450 for Software Developers.

Salary Range Comparison

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$38,020 – $97,990
Software Developers$79,850 – $211,450
$38,020$211,450

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileClinical Laboratory Technologists and TechniciansSoftware DevelopersDifference
10th Percentile$38,020$79,850$-41,830
25th Percentile$46,580$103,050$-56,470
Median (50th)$61,890$133,080$-71,190
75th Percentile$80,010$169,000$-88,990
90th Percentile$97,990$211,450$-113,460
Mean (Average)$65,320$144,570$-79,250

Employment Numbers

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians

343,040

employed nationwide

Software Developers

1,654,440

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$81,900
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$81,390
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA$80,580
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$80,160
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA$78,850

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: Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians or Software Developers?
Software Developers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $71,190 (115.0% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians?
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians salaries range from $38,020 (10th percentile) to $97,990 (90th percentile), with a median of $61,890.
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 Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians and Software Developers jobs are there?
There are approximately 343,040 Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians positions and 1,654,440 Software Developers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Developers to Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians has a median salary of $61,890 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