Computer Programmers vs Personal Financial Advisors: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Personal Financial Advisors professionals earn $3,470 more per year than Computer Programmers professionals — that's 3.5% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Programmers$52,190 – $162,090
Personal Financial Advisors$49,990 – N/A
$49,990$162,090
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Programmers | Personal Financial Advisors | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,190 | $49,990 | +$2,200 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,860 | $70,620 | +$1,240 |
| Median (50th) | $98,670 | $102,140 | $-3,470 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,960 | $172,540 | $-43,580 |
| 90th Percentile | $162,090 | N/A | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $103,640 | $160,210 | $-56,570 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Programmers
109,870
employed nationwide
Personal Financial Advisors
270,480
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 Personal Financial Advisors
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $168,350 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $157,510 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $128,400 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $126,690 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $126,480 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Programmers or Personal Financial Advisors?
Personal Financial Advisors professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $3,470 (3.5% 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 Personal Financial Advisors?
Personal Financial Advisors salaries range from $49,990 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $102,140.
How many Computer Programmers and Personal Financial Advisors jobs are there?
There are approximately 109,870 Computer Programmers positions and 270,480 Personal Financial Advisors positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Personal Financial Advisors to Computer Programmers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Programmers has a median salary of $98,670 while Personal Financial Advisors earns $102,140. 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