Read time 5 minutes
Published on Dec 10, 2024
Read time 5 minutes
Published on Dec 10, 2024
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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.
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.
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
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
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
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
A software engineer may do any of the following:1
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
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
Like software developers, software engineers can also choose from numerous areas of specialization. Some of your options can include:7
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
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
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:
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:
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. To explore more options in this field, check out our online software development degrees.
