Software Developers vs Data Scientists: which pays more in 2026
$138,520
Software Developers earned $138,520 vs Data Scientists at $108,020 in May 2024. See the full breakdown by percentile, industry, and state.
TL;DR
- Software Developers earned a national median of $138,520 in May 2024 (BLS OES).
- Data Scientists earned a national median of $108,020 in May 2024 (BLS OES, SOC 15-2051). Software Developers lead by $30,500 at the median.
- That gap narrows at senior levels and in specific metros. The comparison depends on your experience tier, industry, and location.
- Pull the BLS state-level figures for your metro before any negotiation. The national median is a floor, not a ceiling.
The Number (with Source)
Software Developers (SOC 15-1252) earned a national median annual wage of $138,520 in May 2024 (BLS OES, retrieved 2026-05-22). We use that figure unchanged. The national mean was $144,608, pulled up by high earners at Big Tech firms.
Data Scientists (SOC 15-2051) posted a national median of $108,020 in May 2024, per the same BLS OES release. From here we shorten to $139k and $108k for readability.
The raw gap at the median is $30,500 per year. At the 75th percentile the gap shrinks: Software Developers sit near $168,570, Data Scientists near $154,810. Senior data science roles in finance and tech close most of that spread.
For state-level Software Developer wages, see our Software Developer salary page by state.
What the Number Does Not Say
BLS OES is a survey of establishments, not workers. It counts the job, not the person, so job-hoppers who negotiated 15%–20% raises mid-cycle are invisible until the next survey wave.
The OES also suppresses median estimates when a state-industry cell is too small. If your state shows a mean but no median, the median was withheld. We flag that case rather than substitute the mean silently.
Both figures are May 2024 snapshots. Layoffs in the tech sector through 2023–2024 may have shifted the composition of who BLS surveyed. Newer hires with lower base salaries fill seats vacated by higher-paid workers, which can pull medians down even when posted salaries hold steady.
The headline gap of $30,500 is real, but it is a 2024 cross-section, not a career forecast.
The Decision Frame: Side-by-Side Comparison
Median Wages at Four Percentile Points
| Metric | Software Developers (15-1252) | Data Scientists (15-2051) |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $79,840 | $62,850 |
| 25th percentile | $106,760 | $83,490 |
| Median (50th) | $138,520 | $108,020 |
| 75th percentile | $168,570 | $154,810 |
| 90th percentile | $208,620 | $198,110 |
The gap closes from $30,500 at the median to under $11,000 at the 90th percentile. If you are already a senior individual contributor, the wage difference is nearly gone.
Industry Cuts
The aggregated median hides an industry effect. Software Developers working in securities and investment earn well above the national median. Data Scientists in that same sector also earn above median, closing the gap.
Key industries where Data Scientists can match or exceed Software Developer medians:
- Finance and insurance
- Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing
- Scientific research and development services
- Federal government (certain agencies)
Key industries where Software Developers maintain a strong lead:
- Software publishers
- Custom computer programming services
- Electronic shopping platforms
- Computer systems design firms
Career Trajectory: Years 1 / 5 / 10
BLS does not publish longitudinal wage tracks by occupation. We use the 25th / median / 75th percentile as a structural proxy for early, mid, and senior career stages.
| Career Stage | Software Developers | Data Scientists |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (25th pct) | $106,760 | $83,490 |
| Mid (50th pct) | $138,520 | $108,020 |
| Senior (75th pct) | $168,570 | $154,810 |
The entry-level gap is $23,270. That is meaningful when you are choosing a first job or a bootcamp track. The senior gap is $13,760. By mid-career the choice of role matters less than the choice of industry and employer.
Cost-of-Living Adjustment: Three Key Metros
National medians mean different things in San Francisco versus Dallas versus Raleigh. We apply BEA Regional Price Parities (RPP, 2023) to convert to a purchasing-power-equivalent figure using a US average RPP of 100.
| Metro Area | BEA RPP (2023) | SWE Median (adj.) | DS Median (adj.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | 121.7 | $113,820 | $88,760 |
| Dallas, TX | 96.9 | $142,950 | $111,470 |
| Raleigh, NC | 96.2 | $144,000 | $112,290 |
RPP adjustments use the formula: adjusted = (nominal / RPP) × 100. National nominal figures used as the base; metro-level OES figures were not available in the fact bundle, so these are illustrative RPP adjustments on national medians only. Pull your actual metro OES wage before negotiating.
San Francisco pay looks large in dollar terms, but adjusted purchasing power actually trails Dallas and Raleigh for both roles. Texas and the Research Triangle give you more groceries, rent, and savings per dollar earned.
Growth Outlook
BLS projects Software Developer employment to grow 15.8% from 2024 to 2034, from roughly 1,694,000 to 1,961,000 positions (BLS Employment Projections). BLS classifies this as "much faster than average."
Data Scientist projections sit at a comparable pace: 36% growth through 2033 (BLS, SOC 15-2051 prior cycle). Both roles carry strong job security. Growth rate alone does not break a tie; use the wage data instead.
Software Developers currently out-earn Data Scientists by $30,500 at the national median, but that gap shrinks to under $14k at senior levels.
Choosing a Track: A 15-Minute Decision Frame
Apply this sequence before your next application or negotiation:
- Find your BLS state OES page for SOC 15-1252 (Software Developers) and SOC 15-2051 (Data Scientists).
- Record the median and 75th percentile for both roles in your state.
- Identify your target industry. Finance, pharma, and research pull Data Scientist pay up. Software publishing and e-commerce favor Software Developers.
- Run the cost-of-living adjustment if you are comparing offers across states. Use BEA RPP at bea.gov.
- Compare your current or expected salary to the state 75th percentile, not the median. The median is the market floor. The 75th is where you are headed with 5-7 years of strong performance.
For a step-by-step guide on entering the Software Developer field, see our how to become a software developer guide.
Sources and Methodology
| Source | Observation Date | How We Used It |
|---|---|---|
| BLS OES, SOC 15-1252 | May 2024, retrieved 2026-05-22 | National median, mean, and percentile wages for Software Developers |
| BLS OES, SOC 15-2051 | May 2024, retrieved 2026-05-22 | National median, mean, and percentile wages for Data Scientists |
| BLS Employment Projections | 2024–2034 cycle | Growth rate and employment count for Software Developers |
| O*NET 15-1252.00 | Current | Education, experience, and job zone classification |
| BEA Regional Price Parities (2023) | 2023, bea.gov | Cost-of-living adjustment for metro comparison; applied to national medians |
We did not round any BLS figure without noting it. The metro COL-adjusted figures in the comparison table are illustrative adjustments to national medians. They are not metro OES medians. Readers in specific metros should pull the metro-level OES table directly from bls.gov.
FAQ
Q: Do Software Developers earn more than Data Scientists in 2026?
At the national median, yes. BLS OES May 2024 data shows Software Developers at $138,520 versus Data Scientists at $108,020, a gap of $30,500. That gap narrows sharply at the senior level: the 90th percentile spread is under $11,000. Industry also matters. Data Scientists in finance or pharmaceutical research can match or exceed mid-level Software Developer pay.
Q: What is the highest-paying state for Software Developers?
California consistently ranks first or second in BLS state OES data for Software Developers. Washington state is also a top earner, driven by Seattle-area employers. However, both states carry high cost of living. On a purchasing-power-adjusted basis, states like Texas, North Carolina, and Colorado often deliver stronger real compensation. Pull the BLS state OES file and adjust by BEA RPP before deciding a relocation is worthwhile.
Q: Is Data Science still a good career in 2026?
Yes. BLS projects strong growth for the occupation through at least 2033. Demand for machine learning engineering and applied data science in regulated industries (finance, health care, pharma) has held up even during broader tech sector contractions. The entry salary gap versus Software Development is real at about $23,000, but it closes with experience. The career is not declining; it is maturing and specializing.
Q: Can a Software Developer transition to Data Science for higher pay?
At entry and mid levels, the transition moves toward lower pay, not higher. The median gap favors Software Developers by $30,500. The exception is if you move into machine learning engineering, a hybrid role that BLS classifies with Software Developers (SOC 15-1252) in some cases and that commands pay at the upper percentiles of both distributions. A lateral move to Data Science for a pay increase is not well supported by the BLS data.
Q: How often does BLS update occupational wage data?
BLS publishes the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS, formerly OES) survey annually, typically releasing May survey results the following March or April. The figures cited here are the May 2024 release. The May 2025 release will be the next update. Always check the release date on the BLS page before citing a figure in a negotiation.
Q: What experience level qualifies as "senior" for these salary comparisons?
BLS OES does not segment wages by experience level within an occupation code. We use the 75th percentile as a structural proxy for senior-level pay. In practice, "senior" in the software industry typically means 5-8 years of demonstrated scope increase, not just tenure. A developer with 3 years at a high-growth company may already operate at the 75th percentile. Use your performance record, not your years of service, as the benchmark in a raise conversation.