Labor Relations Specialists 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 $39,580 more per year than Labor Relations Specialists professionals — that's 42.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Labor Relations Specialists earns $153,440 compared to $211,450 for Software Developers.
Salary Range Comparison
Labor Relations Specialists$49,880 – $153,440
Software Developers$79,850 – $211,450
$49,880$211,450
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Labor Relations Specialists | Software Developers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $49,880 | $79,850 | $-29,970 |
| 25th Percentile | $67,670 | $103,050 | $-35,380 |
| Median (50th) | $93,500 | $133,080 | $-39,580 |
| 75th Percentile | $123,090 | $169,000 | $-45,910 |
| 90th Percentile | $153,440 | $211,450 | $-58,010 |
| Mean (Average) | $97,130 | $144,570 | $-47,440 |
Employment Numbers
Labor Relations Specialists
64,590
employed nationwide
Software Developers
1,654,440
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Labor Relations Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $145,360 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $126,460 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $118,620 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $106,180 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $105,710 |
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: Labor Relations Specialists or Software Developers?
Software Developers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $39,580 (42.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Labor Relations Specialists?
Labor Relations Specialists salaries range from $49,880 (10th percentile) to $153,440 (90th percentile), with a median of $93,500.
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 Labor Relations Specialists and Software Developers jobs are there?
There are approximately 64,590 Labor Relations Specialists positions and 1,654,440 Software Developers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Developers to Labor Relations Specialists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Labor Relations Specialists has a median salary of $93,500 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