National Salary Overview
VS
Software Developers earns $20,120 more (18.8%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$107,281
$127,401
Average (Mean) Salary
$113,686
$131,905
Total Employment
261,640
1,687,370
States with Higher Pay
2
46
Salary by State: Data Scientists vs Software Developers
Showing 48 states where both occupations have BLS data. Data Scientists pays more in 2 states; Software Developers pays more in 46.
| State | Data Scientists | Software Developers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $103,120 | $122,540 | $-19,420 | ||
| Arizona | $107,240 | $129,690 | $-22,450 | ||
| Arkansas | $109,390 | $104,490 | +$4,900 | ||
| California | $141,590 | $174,410 | $-32,820 | ||
| Colorado | $117,400 | $138,390 | $-20,990 | ||
| Connecticut | $126,340 | $134,120 | $-7,780 | ||
| District of Columbia | $126,490 | $136,880 | $-10,390 | ||
| Florida | $115,820 | $130,980 | $-15,160 | ||
| Georgia | $104,340 | $131,010 | $-26,670 | ||
| Hawaii | $102,130 | $124,040 | $-21,910 | ||
| Idaho | $89,380 | $131,590 | $-42,210 | ||
| Illinois | $106,560 | $132,110 | $-25,550 | ||
| Indiana | $91,470 | $105,920 | $-14,450 | ||
| Iowa | $95,830 | $114,890 | $-19,060 | ||
| Kansas | $98,130 | $113,420 | $-15,290 | ||
| Kentucky | $91,760 | $109,010 | $-17,250 | ||
| Louisiana | $78,760 | $102,800 | $-24,040 | ||
| Maine | $90,880 | $123,120 | $-32,240 | ||
| Maryland | $136,370 | $138,680 | $-2,310 | ||
| Massachusetts | $131,750 | $165,210 | $-33,460 | ||
| Michigan | $100,590 | $125,570 | $-24,980 | ||
| Minnesota | $128,800 | $130,050 | $-1,250 | ||
| Mississippi | $69,490 | $95,330 | $-25,840 | ||
| Missouri | $97,090 | $126,120 | $-29,030 | ||
| Montana | $100,490 | $121,990 | $-21,500 | ||
| Nebraska | $98,230 | $110,900 | $-12,670 | ||
| Nevada | $98,540 | $128,810 | $-30,270 | ||
| New Hampshire | $100,620 | $139,720 | $-39,100 | ||
| New Jersey | $135,280 | $135,940 | $-660 | ||
| New Mexico | $95,850 | $124,520 | $-28,670 | ||
| New York | $130,460 | $166,180 | $-35,720 | ||
| North Carolina | $119,090 | $134,710 | $-15,620 | ||
| North Dakota | $81,900 | $105,600 | $-23,700 | ||
| Ohio | $102,630 | $114,090 | $-11,460 | ||
| Oklahoma | $86,310 | $118,100 | $-31,790 | ||
| Oregon | $125,990 | $142,720 | $-16,730 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $106,850 | $126,550 | $-19,700 | ||
| Rhode Island | $102,440 | $130,590 | $-28,150 | ||
| South Carolina | $91,990 | $129,450 | $-37,460 | ||
| South Dakota | $96,150 | $96,310 | $-160 | ||
| Tennessee | $100,330 | $122,430 | $-22,100 | ||
| Texas | $122,090 | $132,150 | $-10,060 | ||
| Utah | $108,090 | $128,810 | $-20,720 | ||
| Vermont | $127,070 | $125,280 | +$1,790 | ||
| Virginia | $126,430 | $136,460 | $-10,030 | ||
| Washington | $163,350 | $166,540 | $-3,190 | ||
| West Virginia | $85,090 | $121,000 | $-35,910 | ||
| Wisconsin | $106,680 | $122,660 | $-15,980 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Data Scientists vs Software Developers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
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 $20,120 (18.8%) based on 2025 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 2 out of 48 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Software Developers pays more in 46 states.
What is the median salary for a Data Scientists vs Software Developers?
The national median salary for a Data Scientists is $107,281 per year, compared to $127,401 for a Software Developers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Data Scientists or Software Developers?
There are more people employed as Software Developers. BLS reports approximately 261,640 Data Scientists positions and 1,687,370 Software Developers positions nationwide (2025).
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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