Human Resources Managers vs Software Developers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Human Resources Managers professionals earn $6,950 more per year than Software Developers professionals — that's 5.2% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Human Resources Managers$83,790 – N/A
Software Developers$79,850 – $211,450
$79,850$211,450
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Human Resources Managers | Software Developers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $83,790 | $79,850 | +$3,940 |
| 25th Percentile | $105,590 | $103,050 | +$2,540 |
| Median (50th) | $140,030 | $133,080 | +$6,950 |
| 75th Percentile | $189,960 | $169,000 | +$20,960 |
| 90th Percentile | N/A | $211,450 | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $160,480 | $144,570 | +$15,910 |
Employment Numbers
Human Resources Managers
215,520
employed nationwide
Software Developers
1,654,440
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Human Resources Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $176,290 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $172,970 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $161,970 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $155,390 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $147,070 |
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: Human Resources Managers or Software Developers?
Human Resources Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $6,950 (5.2% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Human Resources Managers?
Human Resources Managers salaries range from $83,790 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $140,030.
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 Human Resources Managers and Software Developers jobs are there?
There are approximately 215,520 Human Resources Managers positions and 1,654,440 Software Developers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Developers to Human Resources Managers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Human Resources Managers has a median salary of $140,030 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