Engineers, All Other 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 $15,330 more per year than Engineers, All Other professionals — that's 13.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Engineers, All Other earns $183,510 compared to $211,450 for Software Developers.
Salary Range Comparison
Engineers, All Other$62,840 – $183,510
Software Developers$79,850 – $211,450
$62,840$211,450
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Engineers, All Other | Software Developers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $62,840 | $79,850 | $-17,010 |
| 25th Percentile | $85,750 | $103,050 | $-17,300 |
| Median (50th) | $117,750 | $133,080 | $-15,330 |
| 75th Percentile | $152,670 | $169,000 | $-16,330 |
| 90th Percentile | $183,510 | $211,450 | $-27,940 |
| Mean (Average) | $121,720 | $144,570 | $-22,850 |
Employment Numbers
Engineers, All Other
150,750
employed nationwide
Software Developers
1,654,440
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Engineers, All Other
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $162,610 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $157,770 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $156,140 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $132,840 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $131,250 |
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: Engineers, All Other or Software Developers?
Software Developers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $15,330 (13.0% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Engineers, All Other?
Engineers, All Other salaries range from $62,840 (10th percentile) to $183,510 (90th percentile), with a median of $117,750.
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 Engineers, All Other and Software Developers jobs are there?
There are approximately 150,750 Engineers, All Other positions and 1,654,440 Software Developers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Developers to Engineers, All Other?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Engineers, All Other has a median salary of $117,750 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