Computer Programmers vs Financial Analysts: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Financial Analysts professionals earn $2,680 more per year than Computer Programmers professionals — that's 2.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Programmers earns $162,090 compared to $180,550 for Financial Analysts.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Programmers$52,190 – $162,090
Financial Analysts$62,410 – $180,550
$52,190$180,550
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Programmers | Financial Analysts | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,190 | $62,410 | $-10,220 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,860 | $78,300 | $-6,440 |
| Median (50th) | $98,670 | $101,350 | $-2,680 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,960 | $132,050 | $-3,090 |
| 90th Percentile | $162,090 | $180,550 | $-18,460 |
| Mean (Average) | $103,640 | $116,490 | $-12,850 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Programmers
109,870
employed nationwide
Financial Analysts
340,580
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 Financial Analysts
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $134,470 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $128,490 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $128,470 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $111,410 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $110,450 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Programmers or Financial Analysts?
Financial Analysts professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $2,680 (2.7% 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 Financial Analysts?
Financial Analysts salaries range from $62,410 (10th percentile) to $180,550 (90th percentile), with a median of $101,350.
How many Computer Programmers and Financial Analysts jobs are there?
There are approximately 109,870 Computer Programmers positions and 340,580 Financial Analysts positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Financial Analysts to Computer Programmers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Programmers has a median salary of $98,670 while Financial Analysts earns $101,350. 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