Computer Programmers vs Insurance Sales Agents: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Computer Programmers professionals earn $38,300 more per year than Insurance Sales Agents professionals — that's 63.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Programmers earns $162,090 compared to $135,660 for Insurance Sales Agents.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Programmers$52,190 – $162,090
Insurance Sales Agents$36,390 – $135,660
$36,390$162,090
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Programmers | Insurance Sales Agents | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,190 | $36,390 | +$15,800 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,860 | $45,520 | +$26,340 |
| Median (50th) | $98,670 | $60,370 | +$38,300 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,960 | $91,150 | +$37,810 |
| 90th Percentile | $162,090 | $135,660 | +$26,430 |
| Mean (Average) | $103,640 | $81,510 | +$22,130 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Programmers
109,870
employed nationwide
Insurance Sales Agents
469,480
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 Insurance Sales Agents
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $81,890 |
| Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT | $79,860 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $78,130 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $77,630 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $76,570 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Programmers or Insurance Sales Agents?
Computer Programmers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $38,300 (63.4% 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 Insurance Sales Agents?
Insurance Sales Agents salaries range from $36,390 (10th percentile) to $135,660 (90th percentile), with a median of $60,370.
How many Computer Programmers and Insurance Sales Agents jobs are there?
There are approximately 109,870 Computer Programmers positions and 469,480 Insurance Sales Agents positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Insurance Sales Agents to Computer Programmers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Programmers has a median salary of $98,670 while Insurance Sales Agents earns $60,370. 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