Project Management Specialists vs Software Developers
Median pay is about $34k higher for Software Developers. Both usually start with the same education: bachelor's.
marks the higher pay or growth. Education, difficulty and the AI rows depend on what you want, so they are not marked.
| Measure | Project Management Specialists | Software Developers |
|---|---|---|
| Pay | ||
| Median pay | $102,320 | $135,980, higher |
| Entry pay 25th percentile | $78,440 | $105,210, higher |
| Experienced pay 75th percentile | $133,100 | $171,980, higher |
| Outlook, 2025 to 2035 | ||
| Projected growth | +6.7% Growing fast | +10% Growing fast, higher |
| Openings a year | 76,500 | 95,300 |
| Getting in | ||
| Typical education | Bachelor's | Bachelor's |
| Difficulty modeled | 2.8 / 5 | 2.2 / 5 |
| AI | ||
| Displacement risk modeled | Moderate | Very high |
| AI exposure modeled, percentile | 53rd pct | 99th pct |
Where the skills differ
Only Project Management Specialists
- Planning
- Risk tracking
- Stakeholder management
- Scheduling
- Communication
Only Software Developers
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
More comparisons
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Pay and outlook: BLS (OEWS 2025, Employment Projections 2025-2035). Skills: O*NET 30.3. Difficulty, displacement risk and AI exposure are modeled estimates. How these numbers are made.