SalaryByCity

Computer Programmers vs Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)

Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Computer Programmers

$98,670

Median annual salary

109,870 employed nationally

Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists

$76,950

Median annual salary

861,140 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Computer Programmers professionals earn $21,720 more per year than Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists professionals — that's 28.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Programmers earns $162,090 compared to $144,610 for Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists.

Salary Range Comparison

Computer Programmers$52,190 – $162,090
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$42,070 – $144,610
$42,070$162,090

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileComputer ProgrammersMarket Research Analysts and Marketing SpecialistsDifference
10th Percentile$52,190$42,070+$10,120
25th Percentile$71,860$56,220+$15,640
Median (50th)$98,670$76,950+$21,720
75th Percentile$128,960$104,870+$24,090
90th Percentile$162,090$144,610+$17,480
Mean (Average)$103,640$86,480+$17,160

Employment Numbers

Computer Programmers

109,870

employed nationwide

Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists

861,140

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Computer Programmers

CityMedian
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 Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$139,140
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$124,840
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$102,390
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA$97,360
Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH$95,930

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Computer Programmers or Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists?
Computer Programmers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $21,720 (28.2% 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 Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists?
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists salaries range from $42,070 (10th percentile) to $144,610 (90th percentile), with a median of $76,950.
How many Computer Programmers and Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 109,870 Computer Programmers positions and 861,140 Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists to Computer Programmers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Programmers has a median salary of $98,670 while Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists earns $76,950. 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