What is the salary difference between Software Developer and Registered Nurse?

Nationally, the median Software Developer salary is $133,080 and the median Registered Nurse salary is $93,600 — a difference of $39,480 per year.

Is Software Developer a better career than Registered Nurse?

Both are established careers. Software Developer has a median salary of $133,080 while Registered Nurse earns $93,600 nationally. The better choice depends on your interests, local job market, required education, and career growth goals — not salary alone.

Software Developer vs Registered Nurse Salary

Side-by-side salary comparison for Software Developer and Registered Nurse — national medians, pay ranges, and city-by-city data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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Software Developers earn more nationally

$133,080 median vs $93,600 — a $39,480/yr difference (30% lower)

Software Developer →

Median Salary

$133,080

Salary Range

$79,850 – $211,450

10th–90th percentile

Registered Nurse →

Median Salary

$93,600

Salary Range

$66,030 – $135,320

10th–90th percentile

-30% difference

Software Developer vs Registered Nurse Salary by City

City	Software Developer	Registered Nurse	Difference
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$208,270	$208,940	+$670
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$174,910	$188,020	+$13,110
California	$170,910	$140,330	-$30,580
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA	$163,020	$133,470	-$29,550
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	$159,240	$133,090	-$26,150
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$155,330	$133,440	-$21,890
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$149,010	$127,980	-$21,030
Yuba City, CA	$145,550	$144,220	-$1,330
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	$141,140	$172,390	+$31,250
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$141,030	$169,210	+$28,180
Kahului-Wailuku, HI	$139,650	$139,310	-$340
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA	$138,740	$178,900	+$40,160
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA	$138,480	$128,520	-$9,960
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	$136,760	$130,160	-$6,600
Oregon	$135,260	$123,990	-$11,270
Vallejo, CA	$134,570	$192,470	+$57,900
Salinas, CA	$134,300	$135,080	+$780
Merced, CA	$133,370	$126,880	-$6,490
Bakersfield-Delano, CA	$132,590	$127,510	-$5,080
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA	$132,010	$133,470	+$1,460
Stockton-Lodi, CA	$128,440	$131,840	+$3,400
Bend, OR	$128,230	$130,150	+$1,920
North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area	$127,890	$130,680	+$2,790
North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area	$127,420	$129,740	+$2,320
Chico, CA	$126,490	$141,720	+$15,230

Green = higher-paying role in that city. Source: BLS OEWS.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Software Developer or Registered Nurse pay more?▾

Software Developers earn more nationally, with a median salary of $133,080 versus $93,600 for Registered Nurse. That's a difference of about $39,480 per year.

What's the salary range for a Software Developer vs a Registered Nurse?▾

Software Developer salaries range from $79,850 (10th percentile) to $211,450 (90th percentile). Registered Nurse salaries range from $66,030 to $135,320.

Which career has more growth potential — Software Developer or Registered Nurse?▾

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.

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