Data Scientist vs Software Developer: $120K vs $136K Median Pay

Data Scientist vs Software Developer: what changes?

Consider Data Scientist if you want to develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software. Consider Software Developer if you would rather research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Both list bachelor's degree; compare training and prior experience separately.

Try this next: Compare three local entry-level postings for Data Scientist and Software Developer. List the duties, credentials, prior experience, and paid training each employer actually asks for. Try a supervised class or sample project from each field before choosing a program.

BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 projections. National medians are not starting offers. Occupation size is not a count of vacancies. View the BLS data.

Compare the practical differences

Data Scientist

National median pay (2025): $120,230
Route into the job: Bachelor's degree
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate: Analyze, manipulate, or process large sets of data using statistical software.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 24,800

Know before you choose

Review the full career brief for day-to-day working conditions.

See the full Data Scientist brief

Software Developer

National median pay (2025): $135,980
Route into the job: Bachelor's degree
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate: Analyze user needs and software requirements to determine feasibility of design within time and cost constraints.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 95,300

Know before you choose

Review the full career brief for day-to-day working conditions.

See the full Software Developer brief

How the national numbers differ

Software Developer has the edge on annual openings

Software Developer is at 95,300 annual openings, compared with 24,800 annual openings for Data Scientist.

Data Scientist has the edge on projected growth

Data Scientist is at 34.6% projected growth, compared with 10.2% projected growth for Software Developer.

Software Developer has the edge on median pay

Software Developer is at $135,980, compared with $120,230 for Data Scientist.

80.2/ 100

Data Scientist

83.4/ 100

Software Developer

Each available metric is ranked from 0 to 100 against the careers on ChooseField. The weighted average uses this profile: pay 30%, growth 25%, openings 30%, preparation level 15%. Missing values are not scored as zero; their weights are redistributed across available metrics. Occupation size has zero weight: employment is not accessible vacancies. Preparation categories do not measure admission difficulty or years without earnings. The score summarizes national measures; local opportunities and personal fit still need separate consideration.

Detailed evidence