Computer Programmers vs Data Scientists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Data Scientists professionals earn $13,920 more per year than Computer Programmers professionals — that's 14.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Programmers earns $162,090 compared to $194,410 for Data Scientists.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Programmers$52,190 – $162,090
Data Scientists$63,650 – $194,410
$52,190$194,410
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Programmers | Data Scientists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,190 | $63,650 | $-11,460 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,860 | $82,630 | $-10,770 |
| Median (50th) | $98,670 | $112,590 | $-13,920 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,960 | $155,810 | $-26,850 |
| 90th Percentile | $162,090 | $194,410 | $-32,320 |
| Mean (Average) | $103,640 | $124,590 | $-20,950 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Programmers
109,870
employed nationwide
Data Scientists
233,440
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 Data Scientists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $173,160 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $166,300 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $157,290 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $135,190 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $131,830 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Programmers or Data Scientists?
Data Scientists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $13,920 (14.1% 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 Data Scientists?
Data Scientists salaries range from $63,650 (10th percentile) to $194,410 (90th percentile), with a median of $112,590.
How many Computer Programmers and Data Scientists jobs are there?
There are approximately 109,870 Computer Programmers positions and 233,440 Data Scientists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Data Scientists to Computer Programmers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Programmers has a median salary of $98,670 while Data Scientists earns $112,590. 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