Computer Programmers vs Natural Sciences Managers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Natural Sciences Managers professionals earn $62,510 more per year than Computer Programmers professionals — that's 63.4% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Programmers$52,190 – $162,090
Natural Sciences Managers$79,830 – N/A
$52,190$162,090
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Programmers | Natural Sciences Managers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,190 | $79,830 | $-27,640 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,860 | $114,110 | $-42,250 |
| Median (50th) | $98,670 | $161,180 | $-62,510 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,960 | $214,820 | $-85,860 |
| 90th Percentile | $162,090 | N/A | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $103,640 | $173,500 | $-69,860 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Programmers
109,870
employed nationwide
Natural Sciences Managers
100,870
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 Natural Sciences Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $222,840 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $221,480 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $219,380 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $208,230 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $199,590 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Programmers or Natural Sciences Managers?
Natural Sciences Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $62,510 (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 Natural Sciences Managers?
Natural Sciences Managers salaries range from $79,830 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $161,180.
How many Computer Programmers and Natural Sciences Managers jobs are there?
There are approximately 109,870 Computer Programmers positions and 100,870 Natural Sciences Managers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Natural Sciences Managers to Computer Programmers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Programmers has a median salary of $98,670 while Natural Sciences Managers earns $161,180. 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