Computer Programmers vs Construction Managers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Construction Managers professionals earn $8,310 more per year than Computer Programmers professionals — that's 8.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Programmers earns $162,090 compared to $176,990 for Construction Managers.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Programmers$52,190 – $162,090
Construction Managers$65,160 – $176,990
$52,190$176,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Programmers | Construction Managers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,190 | $65,160 | $-12,970 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,860 | $83,480 | $-11,620 |
| Median (50th) | $98,670 | $106,980 | $-8,310 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,960 | $139,330 | $-10,370 |
| 90th Percentile | $162,090 | $176,990 | $-14,900 |
| Mean (Average) | $103,640 | $119,660 | $-16,020 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Programmers
109,870
employed nationwide
Construction Managers
348,330
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 Construction Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $151,980 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $138,000 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $136,970 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $128,730 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $128,190 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Programmers or Construction Managers?
Construction Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $8,310 (8.4% 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 Construction Managers?
Construction Managers salaries range from $65,160 (10th percentile) to $176,990 (90th percentile), with a median of $106,980.
How many Computer Programmers and Construction Managers jobs are there?
There are approximately 109,870 Computer Programmers positions and 348,330 Construction Managers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Construction Managers to Computer Programmers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Programmers has a median salary of $98,670 while Construction Managers earns $106,980. 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