Electrical Engineers 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 $21,170 more per year than Electrical Engineers professionals — that's 18.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Electrical Engineers earns $175,460 compared to $211,450 for Software Developers.
Salary Range Comparison
Electrical Engineers$74,670 – $175,460
Software Developers$79,850 – $211,450
$74,670$211,450
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Electrical Engineers | Software Developers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $74,670 | $79,850 | $-5,180 |
| 25th Percentile | $87,590 | $103,050 | $-15,460 |
| Median (50th) | $111,910 | $133,080 | $-21,170 |
| 75th Percentile | $141,630 | $169,000 | $-27,370 |
| 90th Percentile | $175,460 | $211,450 | $-35,990 |
| Mean (Average) | $120,980 | $144,570 | $-23,590 |
Employment Numbers
Electrical Engineers
188,790
employed nationwide
Software Developers
1,654,440
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Electrical Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $186,920 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $163,840 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $136,820 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $135,480 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $134,900 |
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: Electrical Engineers or Software Developers?
Software Developers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $21,170 (18.9% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Electrical Engineers?
Electrical Engineers salaries range from $74,670 (10th percentile) to $175,460 (90th percentile), with a median of $111,910.
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 Electrical Engineers and Software Developers jobs are there?
There are approximately 188,790 Electrical Engineers positions and 1,654,440 Software Developers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Developers to Electrical Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Electrical Engineers has a median salary of $111,910 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