General and Operations Managers 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 $30,130 more per year than General and Operations Managers professionals — that's 29.3% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
General and Operations Managers$47,420 – N/A
Software Developers$79,850 – $211,450
$47,420$211,450
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | General and Operations Managers | Software Developers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $47,420 | $79,850 | $-32,430 |
| 25th Percentile | $67,160 | $103,050 | $-35,890 |
| Median (50th) | $102,950 | $133,080 | $-30,130 |
| 75th Percentile | $164,130 | $169,000 | $-4,870 |
| 90th Percentile | N/A | $211,450 | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $133,120 | $144,570 | $-11,450 |
Employment Numbers
General and Operations Managers
3,584,420
employed nationwide
Software Developers
1,654,440
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for General and Operations Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $162,480 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $152,090 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $151,420 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $149,260 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $141,280 |
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: General and Operations Managers or Software Developers?
Software Developers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $30,130 (29.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for General and Operations Managers?
General and Operations Managers salaries range from $47,420 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $102,950.
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 General and Operations Managers and Software Developers jobs are there?
There are approximately 3,584,420 General and Operations Managers positions and 1,654,440 Software Developers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Developers to General and Operations Managers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. General and Operations Managers has a median salary of $102,950 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