Public 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 $63,300 more per year than Public Relations Specialists professionals — that's 90.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Public Relations Specialists earns $129,480 compared to $211,450 for Software Developers.
Salary Range Comparison
Public Relations Specialists$40,750 – $129,480
Software Developers$79,850 – $211,450
$40,750$211,450
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Public Relations Specialists | Software Developers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $40,750 | $79,850 | $-39,100 |
| 25th Percentile | $51,970 | $103,050 | $-51,080 |
| Median (50th) | $69,780 | $133,080 | $-63,300 |
| 75th Percentile | $95,940 | $169,000 | $-73,060 |
| 90th Percentile | $129,480 | $211,450 | $-81,970 |
| Mean (Average) | $80,310 | $144,570 | $-64,260 |
Employment Numbers
Public Relations Specialists
280,590
employed nationwide
Software Developers
1,654,440
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Public Relations Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $101,200 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $98,460 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $95,370 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $93,220 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $92,060 |
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: Public Relations Specialists or Software Developers?
Software Developers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $63,300 (90.7% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Public Relations Specialists?
Public Relations Specialists salaries range from $40,750 (10th percentile) to $129,480 (90th percentile), with a median of $69,780.
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 Public Relations Specialists and Software Developers jobs are there?
There are approximately 280,590 Public Relations Specialists positions and 1,654,440 Software Developers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Developers to Public Relations Specialists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Public Relations Specialists has a median salary of $69,780 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