What is the difference between a programmer and a software engineer?

As the world becomes more and more digitized, the demand for those who create the software that powers everything we do is growing—and fast.

In fact, over the next decade, the demand for software developers and engineers is expected to grow at a rate of 180%, according to CompTIA’s State of the Technical Workforce 2023 report.

The two titles – software developers and software engineers – are often used interchangeably, especially for those outside the tech world. While it’s true that they’re very similar and work closely together, you’ll find that the day-to-day responsibilities of each are slightly different (you might even find a job posting for even more confusing software development engineer position).

So what exactly are the differences? Wealth are you covered

What is a software developer?

As the name implies, a software developer develops software that involves coding and programming to help build specific features and components. Software developers are very focused on execution and very focused on their latest project.

“Software developers are very focused on execution,” explains Shadi Rostami, executive vice president of engineering at Amplitude. “They’ve been given a specification and they’re going to build software that meets it. In this context, their day after day is primarily spent building and coding.”

They could work on web development, applications, full stack programs, video games and other programs.

What is a software engineer?

A software engineer is a strategic builder, as Rostami noted. While also working on coding and development, engineers focus much more on the big picture strategy of projects.

“Software engineers not only develop software, but also use engineering principles to go through the entire software life cycle. So not just development, but maintenance, testing, making sure it works with the rest of the company, this is more comprehensive,” says Vipin Chaudhary, head of the Computer and Data Science department at Case Western Reserve University.

Consequently, the profession relies heavily on soft skills such as problem solving, communication and leadership.

“They’re focused on understanding their customers and end users so they can identify what problem needs to be solved and how best to solve it,” says Rostami—adding that the role also emphasizes principles such as scalability, maintainability, reliability and robustness.

Software engineers can also be found in a variety of settings, including web, applications, data, full array, video games, cybersecurity, cloud, and beyond.

How do software engineers and programmers compare?

One way to think about the main difference between software engineers and programmers is the scope of their work. Software engineers tend to focus more on the bigger picture of a project – working more closely with infrastructure, security and quality. On the other hand, software developers are more focused on a specific coding task.

In other words, software developers focus on ensuring software functionality, while engineers ensure software conforms to user requirements, Rostami says.

“One way to think about it: If you double your software development team, you double your code. But if you double your software engineering team, you double the impact on clients,” she tells Fortune.

But it’s also important to note that because of how often each title is used interchangeably, the exact differences between the role of software engineer and software developer can vary slightly from company to company.

Engineers may also have a better understanding of the broader ecosystem of computing systems, as well as better soft skills.

Who hires software engineers and developers?

The short answer is that software experts are needed everywhere. Despite layoffs at some of the biggest tech companies, tech employees looking for work can mostly find work. According to CompTIA, the tech unemployment rate is around 2.3%.

“It would be difficult for me to find an organization or company that does not employ engineers and programmers. While that might be a bit of an exaggeration, we really do live in a digital world,” says Sara Faatz, Director of Technology Community Relations at Progress.

Businesses of all kinds — such as retail, education, nonprofits and enterprises — need software developers and engineers, she adds.

For those who want to enter space, there are a number of ways to learn the skills in demand. Students can start with a traditional degree or explore a bootcamp, certification or self-study.

“Regardless of the path, it is essential that in any role a person focuses on continuous learning. The technology landscape is changing so quickly. It’s essential to make sure your skills are up-to-date whether you’re an engineer or a developer,” says Faatz.

How do the salaries of software engineers and programmers compare?

Based on compensation data estimates from Glassdoor, while software engineers and developers earn hefty six-figure salaries, software engineers have a slight edge. When it comes to total pay, engineers take home nearly $30,000 more on average, which could be due in part to project completion bonuses or other circumstances.

Above all, it’s important to remember that various factors come into play when it comes to salary, including experience, education, company, industry and location. According to Dice’s annual Tech Salary Trends Report, tech salaries declined slightly in 2023, and the industry as a whole remains strong. Becoming a programmer or software engineer will likely turn into a lifelong career.