Software Developer vs. Software Engineer: Which Is Right for You?
If you have a passion for technology and are interested in pursuing a career in STEM, there are many options to choose from. Consider which specializations in tech interest you, such as software. Even within this area of specialization, there are different options to choose from, such as software developing and engineering.
Here, you can explore the differences of being a software developer vs. software engineer and the potential benefits of pursuing a tech career. Getting to know these options may help you decide whether either career could be a good fit for you.
In This Article:
- Key Differences Between These Two Careers
- How Much Does a Software Developer vs. Software Engineer Earn?
- Exploring Career Paths in Software Development and Engineering
- Explore Your Software Degree Options at GCU
Key Differences Between These Two Careers
The roles of a software developer vs. software engineer often overlap. Both professionals work on computer programs and applications, and both may write and debug computer code. Indeed, software engineers often collaborate closely with software developers.
Software engineers are "big picture" thinkers who are responsible for conceiving and designing the entire architecture that allows programs and applications to be developed.1
In contrast, software developers are the professionals who then use that architecture to handle the work of building the new programs. Whereas software engineers specialize in applying engineering principles, software developers specialize in applying technical skills.1
According to ComputerScience.org, one helpful metaphor for understanding the relationship and differences between these two careers is to think of software design in terms of a restaurant. If software engineers create the menu for the restaurant, then software developers cook the meals.1
What Do Software Developers Do?
Software developers are responsible for creating software programs and applications. They create, test and improve computer applications and programs using various programming languages, as well as software tools such as Visual Studio Code, GitHub, Azure and AWS.1
Some of the daily responsibilities of a software developer may include:2
- Identifying user needs and project specifications
- Researching and building computer programs and applications
- Using programming languages to write code
- Testing software for functionality
- Improving programs by fixing bugs to ensure proper function
- Maintaining computer programs and applications
Important Skills for Software Developers
Like software engineers, software developers need to be able to draw from a diverse skill set that includes both hard and soft skills. Some of the essential software developer skills include the following:1,2,3
- Strong grasp of programming languages, including Python, HTML, CSS and Java
- Data structures and algorithms
- Software security
- Problem-solving
- Innovation
- Creativity
- Commitment to lifelong learning
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Attention to detail
What Does a Software Engineer Do?
Software engineers push the boundaries of the profession by designing new computer programs and applications. Using engineering principles, software engineers create logic-based and process-based architecture that allows for computer system and application development. These professionals may apply the following engineering principles in their work:1
- Assessing the maintainability and testability of the functions of computer programs
- Ensuring integrity in the designing, verification and quality assurance processes
- Setting clear standards that allow for smooth integration
A software engineer may do any of the following:1
- Identify user preferences and needs and determine whether new computer systems are needed to meet those needs
- Develop concepts for new computer programs and applications
- Collaborate with other professionals, including software developers, executives and cybersecurity specialists
Essential Skills for Software Engineers
To be successful in their role as the designer of computer architecture, software engineers need to be able to rely on a diverse skill set of hard and soft skills. (Hard skills, or technical skills, are specific to an industry or field, whereas soft skills are transferable across careers.)
Some of the essential skills for an aspiring software engineer include:1,4
- Ability to use various programming languages, including Java, Python, C++, C#, JavaScript and SQL
- Object-oriented design
- Collaboration
- Interpersonal skills
- Communication skills
How Much Does a Software Developer vs. Software Engineer Earn?
If you’re still not quite sure which career path is ideal for you after learning about the key differences of these two roles, you may be curious about the differences between the average earning expectations. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), software developers made a median annual salary of $132,270 as of May 2023.5 Of course, salary expectations can vary based on numerous factors, including geographic location, employer, years of experience and so on.
The BLS does not offer salary statistics for computer software engineers. However, the BLS does offer salary data for a similar specialization in computer engineering: computer hardware engineering. According to the BLS, the median annual salary for computer hardware engineers was $138,080 as of May 2023.6
Exploring Career Paths in Software Development and Engineering
Within the fields of software development and software engineering, there are opportunities to further specialize. You may decide to choose a specialty in order to narrowly focus your career and work on refining skills in a particular area.
If you decide to become a software developer, you might decide to choose from the following specializations:2
- Application developer: These professionals write the code for both desktop and mobile applications.
- Game software developers: This specialization focuses on the design of computer and video games.
- Systems software developers: These professionals work on operating systems.
- Web developers: As the name implies, these software developers focus on web-based applications and programs.
- Database developers: In this specialization, you’ll work primarily with databases.
- Mobile developers: In this specialization, you’ll work primarily with mobile devices.
Like software developers, software engineers can also choose from numerous areas of specialization. Some of your options can include:7
- Data science
- Embedded systems
- Cloud computing
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning
- Networking
- Cybersecurity
Benefits of Pursuing a Career Path in Tech
Regardless of whether you choose a career in software engineering or software development, a tech career could be a good fit for you if you’re truly passionate about working with computers. Each career offers potential benefits to consider, including the following:3,4
- It’s sometimes possible to work remotely (depending on employer).
- You may decide to specialize within your field.
- The field promotes lifelong education and ongoing professional development.
- You can pursue work across a range of industries and settings.
- You can work both individually and as part of a team.
Earn Your Degree at GCU and Begin Your STEM Career
Your future is full of choices. No matter which choice you make for your future career path, you can build a firm academic foundation at Grand Canyon University.
The Bachelor of Science in Software Development degree program focuses on teaching skills and concepts that are immediately applicable in the field. You will work through coursework that explores crucial competencies for future software developers, including:
- The design and development of databases
- The use of various programming languages and web development languages
- The development of cloud computing platforms and web frameworks
- How to assess security vulnerabilities and build robust programs to withstand cyberattacks
If you decide that software engineering is the right fit for you, you can apply for enrollment in the Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering degree program. Like the software development degree, this program encourages collaboration through experiential work in a team environment. You’ll work through a curriculum that explores key concepts, including the following:
- Software development lifecycle processes
- Estimation techniques
- Risk management assessments
- Design and architecture
- Software analysis, development and deployment
You’ll have plenty of opportunities for hands-on experiential learning at Grand Canyon University. Offered by the College of Engineering and Technology, both degree programs encourage innovation and industry-focused preparation.
1Tobin, J. M., MFA. (2024, Aug. 9). What’s the Difference: Software Developer vs. Software Engineer. ComputerScience.org. Retrieved Sept. 23, 2024.
2Sartore, M. (2024, Sept. 20). Software Developer Career Overview. ComputerScience.og. Retrieved Sept. 23, 2024.
3Indeed Editorial Team. (2024, Sept. 18). 10 Reasons to be a Software Developer. Indeed. Retrieved Sept. 23, 2024.
4Indeed Editorial Team. (2024, Aug. 15). The Pros and Cons of Being a Software Engineer. Indeed. Retrieved Sept. 23, 2024.
5The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (“BLS”), Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers as of May 2023, retrieved on Oct. 30, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as Software Developers, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were [aid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half of the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate choose to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
6The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (“BLS”), Computer Hardware Engineers, as of May 2023, retrieved on October 30, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as Computer Hardware Engineers, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were [aid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half of the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate choose to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
7Leland. (2023, June 5). How to Decide Which Area of Software Engineering You Want to Get Into. Leland. Retrieved Sept. 23, 2024.
Approved and verified accurate by the assistant dean of the College of Engineering and Technology on Nov. 19, 2024.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.
