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Salary comparison

Information Security Analysts vs. Software Developers: Who Earns More?

Software Developerss out-earn Information Security Analystss by $7K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Information Security Analystss land at $129,180 and Software Developerss at $135,980. The education gap is real: information security analyst programs typically require bachelor's degree, while software developer programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Information Security Analystss is Washington ($154,940); for Software Developerss it's California ($174,410).

Information Security Analysts
Software Developers
Median salary
$129,180
$135,980
Hourly rate
$62.11/hr
$65.38/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$75,090
$82,460
Senior level (90th %)
$199,850
$214,670
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
U.S. employment
190,650
1,687,890
Job growth (10-year)
28.5%
15.8%
Category
Technology
Technology
Top-paying state
Washington
California

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Information Security Analysts median pay.

State
Information Security Analysts
Software Developers
Washington
$154,940
$166,540
Maryland
$139,640
$138,680
California
$138,570
$174,410
Delaware
$137,030
$133,020
Massachusetts
$136,550
$165,210
Colorado
$135,220
$138,390
District of Columbia
$135,090
$136,880
Virginia
$134,900
$136,460
New Jersey
$134,820
$135,940
New York
$134,660
$166,180
North Carolina
$131,540
$134,710
Connecticut
$130,570
$134,120
Texas
$129,890
$132,150
Illinois
$124,180
$132,110
New Hampshire
$124,000
$139,720

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Information Security Analystss or Software Developerss?

Software Developerss earn more nationally. The median is $129,180 for Information Security Analystss versus $135,980 for Software Developerss, a difference of $7K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Information Security Analysts or Software Developers?

Information Security Analysts has the better 10-year outlook at 28.5% projected growth, compared to 15.8% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Information Security Analysts or Software Developers?

Information Security Analysts typically requires bachelor's degree. Software Developers requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Information Security Analystss get paid the most?

Washington is the top-paying state for Information Security Analystss at $154,940/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Information Security Analysts vs. Software Developers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Information Security Analystss earn $154,940 vs. $166,540 for Software Developerss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Information Security Analysts salary breakdownView →Full Software Developers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Information Security Analystss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Software Developerss by take-home payExplore →How to become a information security analystsGuide →How to become a software developersGuide →