Computer Programmers vs Project Management Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Project Management Specialists professionals earn $2,080 more per year than Computer Programmers professionals — that's 2.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Programmers earns $162,090 compared to $165,790 for Project Management Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Programmers$52,190 – $162,090
Project Management Specialists$59,830 – $165,790
$52,190$165,790
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Programmers | Project Management Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,190 | $59,830 | $-7,640 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,860 | $76,950 | $-5,090 |
| Median (50th) | $98,670 | $100,750 | $-2,080 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,960 | $131,660 | $-2,700 |
| 90th Percentile | $162,090 | $165,790 | $-3,700 |
| Mean (Average) | $103,640 | $108,100 | $-4,460 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Programmers
109,870
employed nationwide
Project Management Specialists
1,006,160
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 Project Management Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $136,250 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $132,530 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $125,390 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $123,670 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $121,680 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Programmers or Project Management Specialists?
Project Management Specialists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $2,080 (2.1% 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 Project Management Specialists?
Project Management Specialists salaries range from $59,830 (10th percentile) to $165,790 (90th percentile), with a median of $100,750.
How many Computer Programmers and Project Management Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 109,870 Computer Programmers positions and 1,006,160 Project Management Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Project Management Specialists to Computer Programmers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Programmers has a median salary of $98,670 while Project Management Specialists earns $100,750. 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