Computer Programmers vs Human Resources Managers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Human Resources Managers professionals earn $41,360 more per year than Computer Programmers professionals — that's 41.9% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Programmers$52,190 – $162,090
Human Resources Managers$83,790 – N/A
$52,190$162,090
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Programmers | Human Resources Managers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,190 | $83,790 | $-31,600 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,860 | $105,590 | $-33,730 |
| Median (50th) | $98,670 | $140,030 | $-41,360 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,960 | $189,960 | $-61,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $162,090 | N/A | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $103,640 | $160,480 | $-56,840 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Programmers
109,870
employed nationwide
Human Resources Managers
215,520
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 Human Resources Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $176,290 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $172,970 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $161,970 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $155,390 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $147,070 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Programmers or Human Resources Managers?
Human Resources Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $41,360 (41.9% 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 Human Resources Managers?
Human Resources Managers salaries range from $83,790 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $140,030.
How many Computer Programmers and Human Resources Managers jobs are there?
There are approximately 109,870 Computer Programmers positions and 215,520 Human Resources Managers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Human Resources Managers to Computer Programmers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Programmers has a median salary of $98,670 while Human Resources Managers earns $140,030. 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