Computer Programmers vs Computer Systems Analysts: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Computer Systems Analysts professionals earn $5,120 more per year than Computer Programmers professionals — that's 5.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Programmers earns $162,090 compared to $166,030 for Computer Systems Analysts.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Programmers$52,190 – $162,090
Computer Systems Analysts$63,160 – $166,030
$52,190$166,030
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Programmers | Computer Systems Analysts | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,190 | $63,160 | $-10,970 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,860 | $80,900 | $-9,040 |
| Median (50th) | $98,670 | $103,790 | $-5,120 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,960 | $132,360 | $-3,400 |
| 90th Percentile | $162,090 | $166,030 | $-3,940 |
| Mean (Average) | $103,640 | $111,960 | $-8,320 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Programmers
109,870
employed nationwide
Computer Systems Analysts
497,800
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Computer Programmers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $167,970 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $159,250 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $133,560 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $122,580 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $122,000 |
Best Cities for Computer Systems Analysts
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $160,800 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $145,440 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $132,580 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $127,150 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $126,520 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Programmers or Computer Systems Analysts?
Computer Systems Analysts professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $5,120 (5.2% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Computer Programmers?
Computer Programmers salaries range from $52,190 (10th percentile) to $162,090 (90th percentile), with a median of $98,670.
What is the salary range for Computer Systems Analysts?
Computer Systems Analysts salaries range from $63,160 (10th percentile) to $166,030 (90th percentile), with a median of $103,790.
How many Computer Programmers and Computer Systems Analysts jobs are there?
There are approximately 109,870 Computer Programmers positions and 497,800 Computer Systems Analysts positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Computer Systems Analysts to Computer Programmers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Programmers has a median salary of $98,670 while Computer Systems Analysts earns $103,790. 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