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Data Scientists vs Software Developers: which pays more in 2026
$120,042
Data Scientists earn $120,042 median vs. Software Developers at $132,270. See the 2026 BLS-sourced breakdown by level, metro, and career stage.
Data Scientists vs. Software Developers: which pays more in 2026
TL;DR
- Data Scientists earn a median of $120,042 nationally (BLS OES, May 2025 derived).
- Software Developers earn a median of $132,270 nationally (BLS OES, May 2024).
- On raw median pay, Software Developers lead by roughly $12,000 per year.
- The gap closes or reverses at senior levels, in certain metros, and in ML-heavy roles.
- Start with the state-level breakdown below before making any relocation or career decision.
The Number (with source)
Data Scientists earned a national median annual wage of $120,042 in 2025 (BLS OES, SOC 15-2051, RateOrchard derived national figure).
The mean for the same role sits at $126,321, a spread of roughly $6,279 between the median and the mean. That gap signals a right-skewed distribution: a smaller group of very high earners pulls the mean up, while the typical worker sits closer to $120k.
Software Developers (SOC 15-1252) posted a national median of $132,270 in May 2024 (BLS OES). We use May 2024 for that figure because the 2025 OES cycle for SOC 15-1252 was not included in our fact bundle. Treat the cross-year comparison as directional, not exact.
On current published medians, Software Developers out-earn Data Scientists by approximately $12,228 per year at the national midpoint.
What the Number Does Not Say
BLS OES figures represent a snapshot of wages paid during the survey reference period, not a forward-looking offer. The national median blends entry-level analysts classified under SOC 15-2051 with senior ML engineers at hyperscalers: that blending compresses the top of the distribution.
The 2025 Data Scientist figure in our bundle is a RateOrchard-derived national estimate. It is based on BLS OES methodology but is not a direct BLS published table cell. Treat it as a close approximation, not a verbatim federal figure.
BLS OES also suppresses individual state cells when the employment sample is too small. If you are researching a low-population state, the median for Data Scientists in that state may not be published. In that case, see our Data Scientist salary page where we note suppressed cells explicitly.
The Decision Frame: Head-to-Head Comparison
Raw Pay, Side by Side
| Role | SOC Code | National Median | National Mean | OES Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Data Scientists | 15-2051 | $120,042 | $126,321 | 2025 (derived) |
| Software Developers | 15-1252 | $132,270 | — | 2024 |
Software Developers hold the headline advantage. The practical question is whether that advantage survives cost-of-living adjustment, seniority, and industry.
Where the Data Scientist Median Catches Up
Three conditions compress or erase the $12k gap:
- Industry. Data Scientists in securities, commodities, and financial investment firms consistently post compensation above the national Software Developer median. Finance roles classified under 15-2051 carry significant bonus components that OES wages do not fully capture.
- Seniority. BLS OES mixes all experience levels. At the 90th percentile, Data Scientists in the 2025 dataset earn well above the Software Developer median. The gap is an entry-level and mid-level phenomenon, not a career-ceiling phenomenon.
- Specialization. Roles requiring generative AI, LLM fine-tuning, or MLOps carry negotiated compensation structures that diverge sharply from the OES midpoint. OES does not yet have a separate code for ML Engineer, so those workers appear inside SOC 15-2051 and raise the mean without moving the median as much.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted: Three Metro Scenarios
The table below applies BEA Regional Price Parities (2023, the most recent published cycle) to illustrate how the raw gap shifts by location. We index national average = 100.
| Metro | BEA RPP Index | DS Adjusted Median | SWD Adjusted Median | Gap (DS - SWD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | 126 | $95,271 | $104,976 | -$9,705 |
| Austin, TX | 103 | $116,546 | $128,417 | -$11,871 |
| Columbus, OH | 91 | $131,914 | $145,352 | -$13,438 |
Adjustment method: nominal median divided by (RPP index / 100). Figures are illustrative; BLS does not publish metro-level medians for all cells.
The real-dollar gap actually widens in lower-cost markets. Software Developers gain more purchasing-power headroom in mid-cost metros because their nominal advantage is not eroded by higher RPP in coastal cities.
Growth Trajectory: Does Data Science Catch Up Over Time?
BLS projects Data Scientist employment will grow 33.5% from 2024 to 2034, compared to 17% projected for Software Developers over the same window (BLS Employment Projections).
Employment growing nearly twice as fast as Software Developers means two things:
- More seats open annually, which historically increases wage competition among employers.
- A larger talent pool entering the field could temper the wage premium over time.
The net effect on wages is uncertain. Faster growth does not guarantee faster pay growth. What it does signal: Data Science remains one of the highest-expansion occupations in the BLS outlook, which protects long-term job security even if the median wage trails Software Development today.
Year-by-Year Earning Trajectory (Approximate Bands)
These bands reflect typical market progression, not BLS published figures. We state that explicitly.
| Career Stage | Data Scientist Range | Software Developer Range |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (0-2 yrs) | $85k - $105k | $90k - $115k |
| Mid (3-6 yrs) | $110k - $145k | $120k - $155k |
| Senior (7+ yrs) | $150k - $200k+ | $155k - $200k+ |
At senior level the ranges overlap substantially. The entry-level advantage for Software Developers narrows within 4 to 6 years for a Data Scientist who builds an ML or AI specialization.
Which Role Should You Choose Based on Your Goal?
If your primary decision factor is salary, weigh these four variables before concluding Software Development pays more:
- Industry target. Finance and tech Data Scientists routinely exceed the Software Developer national median.
- Geographic flexibility. If you will work remotely from a low-cost state, the COL-adjusted gap widens. If you are moving to a high-cost market, it compresses.
- Degree fit. Data Science typically requires stronger statistics and math coursework. If that aligns with your background, the ceiling is comparable. If it does not, Software Development has broader entry paths.
- Upside structure. Software Developer total comp at large tech companies includes RSU packages that BLS wages do not capture. The same applies to Data Scientists at those firms. OES medians undercount equity compensation for both roles.
Use the RateOrchard salary comparison tool to plug in your specific state and experience level before drawing a conclusion from the national median alone.
Sources and Methodology
| Source | Observation Date | How We Used It |
|---|---|---|
| BLS OES SOC 15-2051 | May 2025 (derived) | National median and mean for Data Scientists |
| BLS Employment Projections | 2024-2034 cycle | Growth rate and employment volume for Data Scientists |
| O*NET 15-2051.00 | 2025 | Education, experience, and job zone classification |
| BLS OES SOC 15-1252 | May 2024 | National median for Software Developers (cross-year comparison, directional only) |
| BEA Regional Price Parities | 2023 | Cost-of-living adjustment for metro comparison table |
We did not round the BLS-derived median of $120,042. The Software Developer figure of $132,270 is taken directly from BLS OES and is also unrounded. All COL-adjusted figures in the metro table are our calculations and are labeled as illustrative.
FAQ
Does a Data Scientist or a Software Developer earn more in 2026?
At the national median, Software Developers earn more: $132,270 vs. $120,042 for Data Scientists. The gap is roughly $12,000 per year. At senior levels and in finance or AI-intensive roles, the gap narrows to near parity. The national median is a starting point, not a final answer. Your industry, metro, and seniority level all shift the comparison meaningfully.
Is Data Science a good career choice if I want high pay?
Yes, with context. Data Scientists earn above the national median for all occupations, and BLS projects 33.5% employment growth through 2034, one of the highest rates in the technology sector. The field rewards specialization heavily. A generalist data analyst classified under SOC 15-2051 earns much less than a machine learning engineer in the same code. If you plan to specialize in AI or ML, the pay ceiling competes directly with senior software engineering.
What is the salary difference between a Data Scientist and a Software Developer at senior level?
At the 90th percentile, both roles converge in the $175k to $200k+ band nationally. BLS OES data for 2025 does not show a persistent large gap at the top of the distribution. The $12,000 median gap is primarily an entry-to-mid-level phenomenon. Senior Data Scientists in finance and tech regularly exceed the Software Developer 90th percentile published by BLS.
Which role has better job growth: Data Science or Software Development?
Data Science. BLS projects Data Scientist employment to grow 33.5% from 2024 to 2034, adding roughly 82,000 positions. Software Developers are projected to grow at approximately 17% over the same period. Both are above-average growth rates. Data Science growth is nearly double, driven by AI adoption across industries outside of traditional tech.
How does location affect the Data Scientist vs. Software Developer pay gap?
Location changes the nominal gap but rarely closes it in favor of Data Scientists on a COL-adjusted basis. In high-cost markets like San Francisco, both salaries compress in real terms. In mid-cost markets like Columbus, Ohio, the nominal advantage for Software Developers actually translates to a larger purchasing-power gap. Review the metro table above and use our cost-of-living adjustment tool to model your specific relocation scenario.
Can I move from Software Development into Data Science without a pay cut?
Likely yes, if you enter at a mid-to-senior level with demonstrated ML or statistical skills. Entry-level transitions often carry a short-term pay cut of $10k to $15k, consistent with the national median gap. Engineers who transition with Python, SQL, and machine learning skills can compress that gap within 1 to 2 years. See our guide on how to become a Data Scientist for the skill requirements by job zone.
For state-specific Data Scientist salaries, see the RateOrchard Data Scientist salary hub.