Cost Estimators vs Software Developers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Software Developers professionals earn $56,010 more per year than Cost Estimators professionals — that's 72.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cost Estimators earns $128,640 compared to $211,450 for Software Developers.
Salary Range Comparison
Cost Estimators$46,330 – $128,640
Software Developers$79,850 – $211,450
$46,330$211,450
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cost Estimators | Software Developers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,330 | $79,850 | $-33,520 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,830 | $103,050 | $-43,220 |
| Median (50th) | $77,070 | $133,080 | $-56,010 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,630 | $169,000 | $-69,370 |
| 90th Percentile | $128,640 | $211,450 | $-82,810 |
| Mean (Average) | $83,160 | $144,570 | $-61,410 |
Employment Numbers
Cost Estimators
219,530
employed nationwide
Software Developers
1,654,440
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Cost Estimators
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $104,190 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $103,030 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $97,990 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $86,540 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $86,300 |
Best Cities for Software Developers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $208,270 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $174,910 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $169,340 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $161,970 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $159,240 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Cost Estimators or Software Developers?
Software Developers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $56,010 (72.7% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Cost Estimators?
Cost Estimators salaries range from $46,330 (10th percentile) to $128,640 (90th percentile), with a median of $77,070.
What is the salary range for Software Developers?
Software Developers salaries range from $79,850 (10th percentile) to $211,450 (90th percentile), with a median of $133,080.
How many Cost Estimators and Software Developers jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,530 Cost Estimators positions and 1,654,440 Software Developers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Developers to Cost Estimators?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cost Estimators has a median salary of $77,070 while Software Developers earns $133,080. 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