Computer Programmers vs Customer Service Representatives: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Computer Programmers professionals earn $55,840 more per year than Customer Service Representatives professionals — that's 130.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Programmers earns $162,090 compared to $62,730 for Customer Service Representatives.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Programmers$52,190 – $162,090
Customer Service Representatives$30,690 – $62,730
$30,690$162,090
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Programmers | Customer Service Representatives | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,190 | $30,690 | +$21,500 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,860 | $35,970 | +$35,890 |
| Median (50th) | $98,670 | $42,830 | +$55,840 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,960 | $50,140 | +$78,820 |
| 90th Percentile | $162,090 | $62,730 | +$99,360 |
| Mean (Average) | $103,640 | $45,380 | +$58,260 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Programmers
109,870
employed nationwide
Customer Service Representatives
2,725,930
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 Customer Service Representatives
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $60,830 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $56,400 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $51,090 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $49,060 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $48,890 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Programmers or Customer Service Representatives?
Computer Programmers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $55,840 (130.4% 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 Customer Service Representatives?
Customer Service Representatives salaries range from $30,690 (10th percentile) to $62,730 (90th percentile), with a median of $42,830.
How many Computer Programmers and Customer Service Representatives jobs are there?
There are approximately 109,870 Computer Programmers positions and 2,725,930 Customer Service Representatives positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Customer Service Representatives to Computer Programmers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Programmers has a median salary of $98,670 while Customer Service Representatives earns $42,830. 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