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Engineering programmer vs systems programmer

The differences between engineering programmers and systems programmers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-8 years to become both an engineering programmer and a systems programmer. Additionally, a systems programmer has an average salary of $96,017, which is higher than the $95,776 average annual salary of an engineering programmer.

The top three skills for an engineering programmer include C++, troubleshoot and PC. The most important skills for a systems programmer are provide technical assistance, video conferencing, and C++.

Engineering programmer vs systems programmer overview

Engineering ProgrammerSystems Programmer
Yearly salary$95,776$96,017
Hourly rate$46.05$46.16
Growth rate-7%-7%
Number of jobs245,309257,681
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age4747
Years of experience88

What does an engineering programmer do?

Running programs on a computer is tough to understand, so an engineering programmer's expertise is needed. They often work alongside software programmers to improve their works, apply their creations and run them on the computer. They assist computer programmers in creating a software program to locate, store, secure, and retrieve data and design software solutions for future computer difficulties. In a company, they can be part of the team that handles customer complaints online and run software to work with it, or they can provide software that oversees staffs' work ethics.

What does a systems programmer do?

A systems programmer is responsible for managing and installing software systems and applications to the company's computer networks to support the efficiency of business functions and operations. Systems programmers coordinate with the systems analyst to conduct quality checks and running configuration tests to ensure the stability of applications and avoid downtimes. They also create resolution reports, design servers, and upgrade network infrastructure as often as needed. A systems programmer must have excellent communication and technical skills, especially the expert command of programming languages and codes.

Engineering programmer vs systems programmer salary

Engineering programmers and systems programmers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Engineering ProgrammerSystems Programmer
Average salary$95,776$96,017
Salary rangeBetween $66,000 And $138,000Between $66,000 And $138,000
Highest paying CityNovato, CANovato, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyMetaApple
Best paying industryTechnologyFinance

Differences between engineering programmer and systems programmer education

There are a few differences between an engineering programmer and a systems programmer in terms of educational background:

Engineering ProgrammerSystems Programmer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorComputer ScienceComputer Science
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Engineering programmer vs systems programmer demographics

Here are the differences between engineering programmers' and systems programmers' demographics:

Engineering ProgrammerSystems Programmer
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 83.2% Female, 16.8%Male, 84.0% Female, 16.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 14.9% White, 66.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 5.2% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 14.9% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between engineering programmer and systems programmer duties and responsibilities

Engineering programmer example responsibilities.

  • Restructure websites using HTML and CSS.
  • Work on Java and JavaScript in implementing the interfaces.
  • Design and write C++, parallel vtk-base visualization application for studying tera-scale data.
  • Repair and upgrade PC and network of the enterprise.
  • Lead design group to migrate from Autocad to Solidworks.
  • Design touch panel interfaces for use with Crestron and AMX systems.
  • Show more

Systems programmer example responsibilities.

  • Configure TCP/IP, NFS for user networking communication and manage the network security for faster and reliable performance.
  • Advise CICS development on functional changes to take advantage of hardware cache enhancements, improving the performance of future CICS releases.
  • Achieve improved efficiency and cost reduction goals through efforts and expertise provide in multiple LPAR eliminations and data center consolidations.
  • Create and maintain programs by using the following languages: COBOL, SQL, HTML, and JavaScript.
  • Develop and update internal web interfaces for study data collection in PHP, JavaScript, HTML and CSS.
  • Develop AbInitio graphs and convert complex PL/SQL procedures to validate the quality of data in individual tables on the database.
  • Show more

Engineering programmer vs systems programmer skills

Common engineering programmer skills
  • C++, 22%
  • Troubleshoot, 6%
  • PC, 6%
  • Java, 4%
  • Debugging, 4%
  • Architecture, 4%
Common systems programmer skills
  • Provide Technical Assistance, 12%
  • Video Conferencing, 8%
  • C++, 7%
  • Database, 5%
  • Mainframe, 5%
  • Technical Support, 3%

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