Network and Computer Systems Administrators 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 $36,280 more per year than Network and Computer Systems Administrators professionals — that's 37.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Network and Computer Systems Administrators earns $150,320 compared to $211,450 for Software Developers.
Salary Range Comparison
Network and Computer Systems Administrators$60,320 – $150,320
Software Developers$79,850 – $211,450
$60,320$211,450
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Network and Computer Systems Administrators | Software Developers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $60,320 | $79,850 | $-19,530 |
| 25th Percentile | $75,860 | $103,050 | $-27,190 |
| Median (50th) | $96,800 | $133,080 | $-36,280 |
| 75th Percentile | $123,390 | $169,000 | $-45,610 |
| 90th Percentile | $150,320 | $211,450 | $-61,130 |
| Mean (Average) | $101,190 | $144,570 | $-43,380 |
Employment Numbers
Network and Computer Systems Administrators
318,570
employed nationwide
Software Developers
1,654,440
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Network and Computer Systems Administrators
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $128,620 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $127,030 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $124,050 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $119,150 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $113,030 |
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: Network and Computer Systems Administrators or Software Developers?
Software Developers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $36,280 (37.5% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Network and Computer Systems Administrators?
Network and Computer Systems Administrators salaries range from $60,320 (10th percentile) to $150,320 (90th percentile), with a median of $96,800.
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 Network and Computer Systems Administrators and Software Developers jobs are there?
There are approximately 318,570 Network and Computer Systems Administrators positions and 1,654,440 Software Developers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Developers to Network and Computer Systems Administrators?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Network and Computer Systems Administrators has a median salary of $96,800 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