Natural Sciences Managers vs Software Developers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Natural Sciences Managers professionals earn $28,100 more per year than Software Developers professionals — that's 21.1% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Natural Sciences Managers$79,830 – N/A
Software Developers$79,850 – $211,450
$79,830$211,450
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Natural Sciences Managers | Software Developers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $79,830 | $79,850 | $-20 |
| 25th Percentile | $114,110 | $103,050 | +$11,060 |
| Median (50th) | $161,180 | $133,080 | +$28,100 |
| 75th Percentile | $214,820 | $169,000 | +$45,820 |
| 90th Percentile | N/A | $211,450 | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $173,500 | $144,570 | +$28,930 |
Employment Numbers
Natural Sciences Managers
100,870
employed nationwide
Software Developers
1,654,440
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Natural Sciences Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $222,840 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $221,480 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $219,380 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $208,230 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $199,590 |
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: Natural Sciences Managers or Software Developers?
Natural Sciences Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $28,100 (21.1% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Natural Sciences Managers?
Natural Sciences Managers salaries range from $79,830 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $161,180.
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 Natural Sciences Managers and Software Developers jobs are there?
There are approximately 100,870 Natural Sciences Managers positions and 1,654,440 Software Developers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Developers to Natural Sciences Managers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Natural Sciences Managers has a median salary of $161,180 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