Computer Programmers vs Registered Nurses: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Computer Programmers professionals earn $5,070 more per year than Registered Nurses professionals — that's 5.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Programmers earns $162,090 compared to $135,320 for Registered Nurses.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Programmers$52,190 – $162,090
Registered Nurses$66,030 – $135,320
$52,190$162,090
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Programmers | Registered Nurses | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,190 | $66,030 | $-13,840 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,860 | $78,610 | $-6,750 |
| Median (50th) | $98,670 | $93,600 | +$5,070 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,960 | $107,960 | +$21,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $162,090 | $135,320 | +$26,770 |
| Mean (Average) | $103,640 | $98,430 | +$5,210 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Programmers
109,870
employed nationwide
Registered Nurses
3,282,010
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 Registered Nurses
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $208,940 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $188,020 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $169,210 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $133,440 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $133,090 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Programmers or Registered Nurses?
Computer Programmers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $5,070 (5.4% 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 Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses salaries range from $66,030 (10th percentile) to $135,320 (90th percentile), with a median of $93,600.
How many Computer Programmers and Registered Nurses jobs are there?
There are approximately 109,870 Computer Programmers positions and 3,282,010 Registered Nurses positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Registered Nurses to Computer Programmers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Programmers has a median salary of $98,670 while Registered Nurses earns $93,600. 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