Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between software development engineers and software systems engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a software development engineer and a software systems engineer. Additionally, a software development engineer has an average salary of $109,147, which is higher than the $107,102 average annual salary of a software systems engineer.
The top three skills for a software development engineer include java, software development and AWS. The most important skills for a software systems engineer are java, python, and software development.
| Software Development Engineer | Software Systems Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $109,147 | $107,102 |
| Hourly rate | $52.47 | $51.49 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 356,971 | 370,518 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A software development engineer is responsible for designing and developing software systems and applications based on clients' specifications and business needs. Software development engineers manage operating systems and analyze network codes to maintain the compatibility of the software applications and control systems. They also run diagnostic tests for every software structure to ensure smooth navigations and perform immediate troubleshooting for inconsistencies. A software development engineer must have a strong command of programming languages, as well as technological processes and analytical skills.
A software systems engineer is responsible for designing and creating software systems applications and programs according to clients' specifications or business' needs. They work to improve the features of existing applications to boost efficiency and optimal performance. Software systems engineers manage systems configuration and structural development to develop high-quality outputs and deliverables. They also run multiple diagnostic tests to ensure smooth navigations and server transitions and identify efficient technical solutions. A software systems engineer assists the end-users with application issues, performing troubleshooting operations, and creating resolution reports for reference.
Software development engineers and software systems engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Software Development Engineer | Software Systems Engineer | |
| Average salary | $109,147 | $107,102 |
| Salary range | Between $80,000 And $147,000 | Between $80,000 And $142,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Start-up |
There are a few differences between a software development engineer and a software systems engineer in terms of educational background:
| Software Development Engineer | Software Systems Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between software development engineers' and software systems engineers' demographics:
| Software Development Engineer | Software Systems Engineer | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 79.6% Female, 20.4% | Male, 81.1% Female, 18.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 32.7% White, 49.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.3% Asian, 29.8% White, 52.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |