Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists 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 $32,490 more per year than Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists professionals — that's 32.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists earns $168,210 compared to $211,450 for Software Developers.
Salary Range Comparison
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$61,860 – $168,210
Software Developers$79,850 – $211,450
$61,860$211,450
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | Software Developers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $61,860 | $79,850 | $-17,990 |
| 25th Percentile | $77,260 | $103,050 | $-25,790 |
| Median (50th) | $100,590 | $133,080 | $-32,490 |
| 75th Percentile | $133,870 | $169,000 | $-35,130 |
| 90th Percentile | $168,210 | $211,450 | $-43,240 |
| Mean (Average) | $112,690 | $144,570 | $-31,880 |
Employment Numbers
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
156,300
employed nationwide
Software Developers
1,654,440
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $155,990 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $142,540 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $131,390 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $129,230 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $128,890 |
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: Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists or Software Developers?
Software Developers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $32,490 (32.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists?
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists salaries range from $61,860 (10th percentile) to $168,210 (90th percentile), with a median of $100,590.
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 Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists and Software Developers jobs are there?
There are approximately 156,300 Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists positions and 1,654,440 Software Developers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Developers to Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists has a median salary of $100,590 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