Software Developer vs IT Manager Salary
Side-by-side salary comparison for Software Developer and IT Manager — national medians, pay ranges, and city-by-city data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
IT Managers earn more nationally
$171,200 median vs $133,080 — a $38,120/yr difference (29% higher)
Median Salary
$133,080
Salary Range
$79,850 – $211,450
10th–90th percentile
Median Salary
$171,200
Salary Range
$104,450 – N/A
10th–90th percentile
Software Developer vs IT Manager Salary by City
| City | Software Developer | IT Manager |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $174,910 | $221,810 |
| California | $170,910 | $211,340 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $169,340 | $212,450 |
| Washington | $166,910 | $206,420 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $163,020 | $200,790 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $161,970 | $212,400 |
| New York | $161,260 | $209,980 |
| Boulder, CO | $159,670 | $202,270 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $159,240 | $193,370 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $157,540 | $175,640 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $155,330 | $191,410 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $154,240 | $207,150 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $150,880 | $191,880 |
Green = higher-paying role in that city. Source: BLS OEWS.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Software Developer or IT Manager pay more?▾
IT Managers earn more nationally, with a median salary of $171,200 versus $133,080 for Software Developer. That's a difference of about $38,120 per year.
What's the salary range for a Software Developer vs a IT Manager?▾
Software Developer salaries range from $79,850 (10th percentile) to $211,450 (90th percentile). IT Manager salaries range from $104,450 to N/A.
Which career has more growth potential — Software Developer or IT Manager?▾
Salary growth depends on experience, specialization, location, and industry sector. Both roles show strong upper-quartile earnings. Check city-by-city data above — in some metros one role significantly outpaces the other, which often reflects local industry demand and competition.