National Salary Overview
VS
Software Developers earns $13,833 more (13.2%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$104,915
$118,749
Average (Mean) Salary
$110,043
$123,645
Total Employment
192,360
1,656,880
States with Higher Pay
8
43
Salary by State: Data Scientists vs Software Developers
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Data Scientists pays more in 8 states; Software Developers pays more in 43.
| State | Data Scientists | Software Developers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $100,560 | $102,730 | $-2,170 | ||
| Alaska | $80,000 | $151,400 | $-71,400 | ||
| Arizona | $106,400 | $123,180 | $-16,780 | ||
| Arkansas | $115,890 | $92,140 | +$23,750 | ||
| California | $133,690 | $168,660 | $-34,970 | ||
| Colorado | $111,970 | $134,960 | $-22,990 | ||
| Connecticut | $112,750 | $125,080 | $-12,330 | ||
| Delaware | $138,780 | $131,690 | +$7,090 | ||
| District of Columbia | $122,010 | $140,360 | $-18,350 | ||
| Florida | $95,360 | $122,310 | $-26,950 | ||
| Georgia | $100,950 | $127,070 | $-26,120 | ||
| Hawaii | $129,930 | $104,860 | +$25,070 | ||
| Idaho | $122,280 | $102,700 | +$19,580 | ||
| Illinois | $108,580 | $126,200 | $-17,620 | ||
| Indiana | $81,620 | $105,740 | $-24,120 | ||
| Iowa | $96,980 | $105,920 | $-8,940 | ||
| Kansas | $101,610 | $104,250 | $-2,640 | ||
| Kentucky | $88,800 | $103,030 | $-14,230 | ||
| Louisiana | $68,730 | $104,840 | $-36,110 | ||
| Maine | $99,960 | $113,190 | $-13,230 | ||
| Maryland | $125,460 | $138,050 | $-12,590 | ||
| Massachusetts | $121,560 | $137,130 | $-15,570 | ||
| Michigan | $90,750 | $103,830 | $-13,080 | ||
| Minnesota | $114,630 | $125,380 | $-10,750 | ||
| Mississippi | $62,600 | $85,190 | $-22,590 | ||
| Missouri | $81,410 | $104,600 | $-23,190 | ||
| Montana | $94,420 | $109,270 | $-14,850 | ||
| Nebraska | $92,640 | $109,800 | $-17,160 | ||
| Nevada | $86,030 | $125,590 | $-39,560 | ||
| New Hampshire | $92,670 | $128,860 | $-36,190 | ||
| New Jersey | $130,570 | $131,680 | $-1,110 | ||
| New Mexico | $87,020 | $126,560 | $-39,540 | ||
| New York | $128,890 | $145,470 | $-16,580 | ||
| North Carolina | $126,940 | $130,620 | $-3,680 | ||
| North Dakota | $113,620 | $100,980 | +$12,640 | ||
| Ohio | $97,070 | $107,560 | $-10,490 | ||
| Oklahoma | $83,810 | $104,030 | $-20,220 | ||
| Oregon | $114,910 | $130,000 | $-15,090 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $97,260 | $111,910 | $-14,650 | ||
| Rhode Island | $128,350 | $128,990 | $-640 | ||
| South Carolina | $95,310 | $111,130 | $-15,820 | ||
| South Dakota | $91,460 | $82,850 | +$8,610 | ||
| Tennessee | $92,400 | $110,660 | $-18,260 | ||
| Texas | $100,100 | $127,000 | $-26,900 | ||
| Utah | $97,490 | $116,830 | $-19,340 | ||
| Vermont | $117,500 | $112,620 | +$4,880 | ||
| Virginia | $136,490 | $135,040 | +$1,450 | ||
| Washington | $132,620 | $162,390 | $-29,770 | ||
| West Virginia | $67,660 | $81,380 | $-13,720 | ||
| Wisconsin | $101,850 | $102,660 | $-810 | ||
| Wyoming | $130,370 | $137,860 | $-7,490 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Data Scientists or Software Developers?
On average across all states, a Software Developers earns more than a Data Scientists. The national median salary difference is $13,833 (13.2%) based on 2024 BLS data.
In how many states does a Data Scientists earn more than a Software Developers?
A Data Scientists earns a higher median salary than a Software Developers in 8 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Software Developers pays more in 43 states.
What is the median salary for a Data Scientists vs Software Developers?
The national median salary for a Data Scientists is $104,915 per year, compared to $118,749 for a Software Developers, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Data Scientists or Software Developers?
There are more people employed as Software Developers. BLS reports approximately 192,360 Data Scientists positions and 1,656,880 Software Developers positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Data Scientists or Software Developers?
Both Data Scientists and Software Developers are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.
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