Computer Programmers vs Network and Computer Systems Administrators: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Computer Programmers professionals earn $1,870 more per year than Network and Computer Systems Administrators professionals — that's 1.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Programmers earns $162,090 compared to $150,320 for Network and Computer Systems Administrators.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Programmers$52,190 – $162,090
Network and Computer Systems Administrators$60,320 – $150,320
$52,190$162,090
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Programmers | Network and Computer Systems Administrators | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,190 | $60,320 | $-8,130 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,860 | $75,860 | $-4,000 |
| Median (50th) | $98,670 | $96,800 | +$1,870 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,960 | $123,390 | +$5,570 |
| 90th Percentile | $162,090 | $150,320 | +$11,770 |
| Mean (Average) | $103,640 | $101,190 | +$2,450 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Programmers
109,870
employed nationwide
Network and Computer Systems Administrators
318,570
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 Network and Computer Systems Administrators
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $128,620 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $127,030 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $124,050 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $119,150 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $113,030 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Programmers or Network and Computer Systems Administrators?
Computer Programmers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $1,870 (1.9% 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 Network and Computer Systems Administrators?
Network and Computer Systems Administrators salaries range from $60,320 (10th percentile) to $150,320 (90th percentile), with a median of $96,800.
How many Computer Programmers and Network and Computer Systems Administrators jobs are there?
There are approximately 109,870 Computer Programmers positions and 318,570 Network and Computer Systems Administrators positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Network and Computer Systems Administrators to Computer Programmers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Programmers has a median salary of $98,670 while Network and Computer Systems Administrators earns $96,800. 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