Compare careers
Systems Engineer vs Software Engineer: pay, jobs and what each takes
Systems engineers and software engineers side by side: what each earns by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics and by the jobs open today, how many jobs there are, and the education and credentials each takes.
Systems Engineer vs Software Engineer, side by side
| Systems engineer | Software engineer | |
|---|---|---|
| Open jobs on this board today | 711 | 1,112 |
| Median posted hourly pay (open jobs) | $155,250 | $169,050 |
| Median hourly pay (BLS) | - | - |
| Median yearly pay (BLS) | - | - |
| Projected employment change (BLS) | - | - |
| Openings a year (BLS) | - | - |
| Typical education to enter (BLS) | - | - |
| Credentials | Security clearance (Secret, Top Secret, TS/SCI) | Security clearance (Secret, Top Secret, TS/SCI) |
Systems Engineer vs Software Engineer: common questions
Are there more systems engineer or software engineer jobs?
On this board today: 711 open systems engineer jobs and 1,112 software engineer jobs, read from each employer's own job board.
What is the difference between a systems engineer and a software engineer?
Space companies hire systems engineers to hold a vehicle or mission together: its requirements, its interfaces and the proof that it all works as one. Space companies hire software engineers for the code that flies the vehicle and the software on the ground that builds, tests and operates it.
How do you become a systems engineer or a software engineer?
An engineering degree in any discipline and years on a vehicle, payload or mission. A computer science or engineering degree, or a record of shipped software. Each occupation's page lists its credentials and who grants them: Systems engineers, Software engineers.
Other careers compared
- Aerospace Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer
- Propulsion Engineer vs Aerospace Engineer
- Electrical Engineer vs RF Engineer
- GNC Engineer vs Software Engineer
- Test Engineer vs Systems Engineer
- Manufacturing Engineer vs Quality Engineer
- Mechanical Engineer vs Materials Engineer
- Aerospace Technician vs Machinist
- Machinist vs Welder
- Aerospace Technician vs Manufacturing Engineer
- Program Manager vs Product Manager
- Data Scientist vs Software Engineer
- Mission Operations Engineer vs Systems Engineer
Sources and method
Pay and outlook are BLS's figures for each occupation's main SOC code; open jobs and their posted median are this board's, counted as each occupation's own page counts them.
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics and Employment Projections
- SpaceJobs.Now job board: open jobs read every night from each employer's own careers site
Cite this page
SpaceJobs.Now. (2026). Systems Engineer vs Software Engineer: Pay, Jobs and Requirements Compared. Data as of 7 Nov 2026. https://spacejobs.now/compare-careers/systems-engineer-vs-software-engineer