Software Developers vs Web Developers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Software Developers professionals earn $42,150 more per year than Web Developers professionals — that's 46.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Software Developers earns $211,450 compared to $162,870 for Web Developers.
Salary Range Comparison
Software Developers$79,850 – $211,450
Web Developers$48,560 – $162,870
$48,560$211,450
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Software Developers | Web Developers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $79,850 | $48,560 | +$31,290 |
| 25th Percentile | $103,050 | $63,140 | +$39,910 |
| Median (50th) | $133,080 | $90,930 | +$42,150 |
| 75th Percentile | $169,000 | $124,300 | +$44,700 |
| 90th Percentile | $211,450 | $162,870 | +$48,580 |
| Mean (Average) | $144,570 | $98,790 | +$45,780 |
Employment Numbers
Software Developers
1,654,440
employed nationwide
Web Developers
78,860
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
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 |
Best Cities for Web Developers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $161,750 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $157,490 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $126,040 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $120,750 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $117,560 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Software Developers or Web Developers?
Software Developers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $42,150 (46.4% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
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.
What is the salary range for Web Developers?
Web Developers salaries range from $48,560 (10th percentile) to $162,870 (90th percentile), with a median of $90,930.
How many Software Developers and Web Developers jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,654,440 Software Developers positions and 78,860 Web Developers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Web Developers to Software Developers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Software Developers has a median salary of $133,080 while Web Developers earns $90,930. 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