Mathematicians vs Software Developer: $127K vs $136K Median Pay

Mathematicians vs Software Developer: what changes?

Consider Mathematicians if you want to conduct research in fundamental mathematics or in application of mathematical techniques to science, management, and other fields. Consider Software Developer if you would rather research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Entry credentials differ: Mathematicians, master's degree; Software Developer, bachelor's degree.

Try this next: Compare three local entry-level postings for Mathematicians 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

Mathematicians

National median pay (2025): $126,710
Route into the job: Master'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: Mentor others on mathematical techniques.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 100

Know before you choose

BLS projects essentially flat employment (0.6%) through 2035. Annual openings mostly reflect replacement, not a rapidly expanding field.

See the full Mathematicians 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 100 annual openings for Mathematicians.

Software Developer has the edge on projected growth

Software Developer is at 10.2% projected growth, compared with 0.6% projected growth for Mathematicians.

Typical preparation differs.

Mathematicians: Master's degree Software Developer: Bachelor's degree Preparation categories do not establish admission difficulty, calendar time, tuition, time without earnings, or licensing difficulty.

Software Developer has the edge on median pay

Software Developer is at $135,980, compared with $126,710 for Mathematicians.

36.5/ 100

Mathematicians

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