Data Scientists 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 $20,490 more per year than Data Scientists professionals — that's 18.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Data Scientists earns $194,410 compared to $211,450 for Software Developers.
Salary Range Comparison
Data Scientists$63,650 – $194,410
Software Developers$79,850 – $211,450
$63,650$211,450
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Data Scientists | Software Developers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $63,650 | $79,850 | $-16,200 |
| 25th Percentile | $82,630 | $103,050 | $-20,420 |
| Median (50th) | $112,590 | $133,080 | $-20,490 |
| 75th Percentile | $155,810 | $169,000 | $-13,190 |
| 90th Percentile | $194,410 | $211,450 | $-17,040 |
| Mean (Average) | $124,590 | $144,570 | $-19,980 |
Employment Numbers
Data Scientists
233,440
employed nationwide
Software Developers
1,654,440
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Data Scientists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $173,160 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $166,300 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $157,290 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $135,190 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $131,830 |
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: Data Scientists or Software Developers?
Software Developers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $20,490 (18.2% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Data Scientists?
Data Scientists salaries range from $63,650 (10th percentile) to $194,410 (90th percentile), with a median of $112,590.
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 Data Scientists and Software Developers jobs are there?
There are approximately 233,440 Data Scientists positions and 1,654,440 Software Developers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Developers to Data Scientists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Data Scientists has a median salary of $112,590 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