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The differences between software programmers and software development engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-8 years to become a software programmer, becoming a software development engineer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a software development engineer has an average salary of $109,147, which is higher than the $71,612 average annual salary of a software programmer.
The top three skills for a software programmer include java, javascript and software development. The most important skills for a software development engineer are java, software development, and AWS.
| Software Programmer | Software Development Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $71,612 | $109,147 |
| Hourly rate | $34.43 | $52.47 |
| Growth rate | -7% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 253,235 | 356,971 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 47 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 4 |
A software programmer is an information technology expert who specializes in programming software and generating codes, ensuring quality and efficiency. In a company setting, they typically perform research and analysis to understand and identify the projects' needs, develop and implement test structures, troubleshoot and resolve issues, write technical instructions, and provide technical support to staff as needed. Most of the time, a software programmer works in a team setting, which requires an active communication line for a smooth workflow.
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.
Software programmers and software development engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Software Programmer | Software Development Engineer | |
| Average salary | $71,612 | $109,147 |
| Salary range | Between $55,000 And $92,000 | Between $80,000 And $147,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | Panaya | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a software programmer and a software development engineer in terms of educational background:
| Software Programmer | Software Development Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between software programmers' and software development engineers' demographics:
| Software Programmer | Software Development Engineer | |
| Average age | 47 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 71.3% Female, 28.7% | Male, 79.6% Female, 20.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 7.2% Asian, 25.2% White, 58.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 8% |