Computer Programmers vs Engineers, All Other: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Engineers, All Other professionals earn $19,080 more per year than Computer Programmers professionals — that's 19.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Programmers earns $162,090 compared to $183,510 for Engineers, All Other.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Programmers$52,190 – $162,090
Engineers, All Other$62,840 – $183,510
$52,190$183,510
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Programmers | Engineers, All Other | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,190 | $62,840 | $-10,650 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,860 | $85,750 | $-13,890 |
| Median (50th) | $98,670 | $117,750 | $-19,080 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,960 | $152,670 | $-23,710 |
| 90th Percentile | $162,090 | $183,510 | $-21,420 |
| Mean (Average) | $103,640 | $121,720 | $-18,080 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Programmers
109,870
employed nationwide
Engineers, All Other
150,750
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 Engineers, All Other
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $162,610 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $157,770 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $156,140 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $132,840 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $131,250 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Programmers or Engineers, All Other?
Engineers, All Other professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $19,080 (19.3% 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 Engineers, All Other?
Engineers, All Other salaries range from $62,840 (10th percentile) to $183,510 (90th percentile), with a median of $117,750.
How many Computer Programmers and Engineers, All Other jobs are there?
There are approximately 109,870 Computer Programmers positions and 150,750 Engineers, All Other positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Engineers, All Other to Computer Programmers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Programmers has a median salary of $98,670 while Engineers, All Other earns $117,750. 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