If you’re interested in a technology career, you may be debating between network engineering and software engineering Both play critical roles in building and managing the systems that power our digital world But there are some key differences between the two fields.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare network engineering vs software engineering across various factors:
- Job responsibilities
- Required skills
- Work environment
- Salary prospects
- Certification options
- Career growth and specializations
Let’s dive in to help you decide which of these rewarding technology careers aligns best with your interests and abilities!
An Overview of Network Engineering
Network engineering centers around the design, configuration, and maintenance of computer networks Network engineers are responsible for implementing and supporting wired and wireless network infrastructure
Typical network engineering duties include:
- Installing, configuring, and supporting network hardware/software
- Managing network security protocols and access controls
- Monitoring network performance metrics and troubleshooting issues
- Upgrading network capabilities and connectivity
- Documenting network policies, processes, architectures
It’s a complex and fast-paced role that requires strong technical skills coupled with analytical and problem-solving abilities, Network engineers need to master a wide subset of technologies while also understanding how networks interact with broader IT systems and business functions
Network engineering spans a variety of environments, from small businesses to massive enterprises. Positions are available across industries like technology, finance, healthcare, education, and more.
What Does a Software Engineer Do?
Software engineering focuses on the design, development, testing, and maintenance of software applications. Software engineers create solutions that drive efficiency, automation, and user experiences.
Some examples of software engineering responsibilities include:
- Analyzing software requirements and specifications
- Designing, developing, and modifying software programs
- Testing software for bugs, flaws, and performance issues
- Deploying software across platforms and devices
- Managing software releases and updates
- Providing maintenance and troubleshooting support
- Writing technical documentation for reference
It’s a creative and analytical role that allows engineers to build innovative solutions using their programming skills. Software engineers get to flex their problem-solving muscles on a daily basis.
Software engineers work in many of the same industries as network engineers – technology, healthcare, finance, aerospace, and more. Positions range from startups to established enterprise tech firms.
Network Engineering vs Software Engineering Skills
While network engineering and software engineering both involve working with technology, the required skillsets differ significantly:
Network Engineering Skills
- Network protocols like TCP/IP, DNS, SNMP
- Routing and switching
- IP addressing and subnetting
- Wireless networking standards
- Firewall configuration
- Network monitoring and analysis
- Network security best practices
- Network operating system configuration
- Troubleshooting processes
Software Engineering Skills
- Programming languages like Java, Python, C++
- Software testing methodologies
- Object-oriented design and modeling
- Application security principles
- Cloud platforms like AWS
- Agile development processes
- UI/UX design
- APIs and web services
- Database management
- Version control with Git
As you can see, network engineering emphasizes networking technologies, while software engineering focuses on building and delivering applications.
Key Differences in Work Environments
Some variability exists in the day-to-day work environments of network vs software engineers:
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Schedule – Network engineers are more likely to work irregular hours related to network maintenance and on-call rotations. Software engineers generally work standard business hours.
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Location – Network engineers usually work onsite to access network infrastructure. Software engineers can more easily work remotely.
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Teamwork – Network engineering requires close coordination with other IT teams. Software engineering involves tight collaboration within a dev team.
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Problems – Network engineers tackle urgent infrastructure issues. Software engineers work through complex coding challenges.
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Criticality – Network outages can completely paralyze a business. Software failures lead to contained issues.
So network engineers need to be more flexible, while software engineers generally work relatively standardized schedules alongside their developer colleagues.
Salary Prospects for Each Career
According to PayScale, the average salaries look like:
- Network Engineer – $80,407 per year
- Software Engineer – $95,729 per year
However, salaries can vary significantly based on:
- Years of experience
- Specific skills and certifications
- Company size and industry
- Geographic location
Both careers offer strong compensation potential, especially for engineers with niche expertise like security, cloud platforms, etc. So the earning potential is a wash between the two fields overall.
Relevant Certifications
Here are some of the most popular certifications relevant to each career path:
Network Engineering Certifications
- Cisco CCNA
- Cisco CCNP
- Juniper JNCIA
- CompTIA Network+
- CompTIA Security+
Software Engineering Certifications
- PMI ACP Agile Certified Practitioner
- AWS Certified Developer
- Oracle Java Certifications
- Salesforce Platform Developer I
- ISTQB Software Testing Certification
Earning specialized certs like these can improve your hiring prospects and help advance your engineering career. They signal mastery of key technologies to employers.
Career Growth and Specializations
As engineers gain experience, they can pursue promotions into senior engineer, lead engineer, and engineering management roles. Specializations are also available such as:
Network Engineering Specializations
- Security
- Voice/Unified Communications
- Wireless networking
- Cloud networking
- Network automation
Software Engineering Specializations
- Front-end development
- Back-end development
- Full-stack development
- Mobile app development
- Game development
- Embedded systems
- Blockchain
So both fields offer ample career growth through leadership roles, niche technical paths, or a hybrid approach. Ambitious engineers can advance while focusing on their technology passions.
Should You Become a Network or Software Engineer?
When weighing network engineering vs software engineering careers, consider your own technical aptitudes, interests, and professional goals.
Network engineering is a great fit if you enjoy constant troubleshooting, working with infrastructure, and ensuring seamless connectivity. Total network reliability and uptime is the goal.
Software engineering allows you to flex your creative muscles to build software products and services. You get to see your code solve real-world problems for users.
Both careers offer strong job prospects and compensation. As technology continues to advance, demand will remain high for skilled engineers in these two domains.
So take some time to reflect on your specific strengths and passions. That will point you towards the rewarding network or software engineering career path that best matches your abilities and interests. The technology industry needs competent professionals in both of these fields.
Key Takeaways: Network vs Software Engineering
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Network engineers design, build, and manage communications networks. Software engineers develop, test, and maintain software applications.
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Network engineers focus on infrastructure and uptime. Software engineers focus on solving problems through code.
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Network engineering requires analytical troubleshooting skills. Software engineering involves creativity and programming ability.
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Network engineers emphasize technologies like TCP/IP, Cisco, and network security. Software engineers learn programming languages, cloud platforms, databases.
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Both careers offer strong salaries, career advancement, and abundant job opportunities. Choose based on your specific interests and strengths.
No matter which path you take, you can look forward to an exciting and stable technology career improving lives through innovation.
Despite potential overlaps in software skills, the roles of network engineers and software engineers vary in terms of skill sets, salaries, certifications and more.
- Michaela Goss, Senior Site Editor
As software integrates itself into every area of IT, the distinctions between different IT professions and responsibilities become unclear. Even as the worlds of networking and software merge, the roles of network engineers and software engineers overlap but largely remain distinct.
Aspiring IT professionals wondering how to choose between a network engineer versus software engineer career should weigh several factors, including the area of IT they want to focus on, their skill sets, and certifications they have or want to get, among other criteria. Network engineers and software engineers have different responsibilities, so aspiring IT pros should carefully evaluate each field before they decide their career paths.
Differences between network engineers vs. software engineers
Network engineer. A network engineer plans, designs and deploys networks and infrastructure for organizations. In addition to network implementation, network engineers also handle network maintenance. Teams manage and monitor the network along with its data and troubleshoot any day-to-day issues that arise. Network engineer positions can also require skills in other areas, such as security, automation, unified communications (UC) and cloud.
Software engineer. A software engineer designs, tests and deploys software systems and applications for organizations. The goal of software engineering is to improve efficiency in software development, and software engineers are often in charge of overseeing the overall project. Like network engineers, software engineering roles can encompass different concentration areas, such as development, maintenance and management. Software engineers often also need an understanding of networking and cloud.
Network Engineer vs. Software Engineer: What’s the Difference?
What is the difference between network engineer and software engineer?
Difference between Network Engineer and Software Engineer : 01. A network engineer is responsible for planning, designing, and deploying network infrastructure. A software engineer is responsible for designing, developing, testing, deploying and maintaining software systems. 02. Those engineers are mainly focus on problem-Solving.
What does a software engineer do?
The goal of software engineering is to improve efficiency in software development, and software engineers are often in charge of overseeing the overall project. Like network engineers, software engineering roles can encompass different concentration areas, such as development, maintenance and management.
What does a network engineer do?
In addition to network implementation, network engineers also handle network maintenance. Teams manage and monitor the network along with its data and troubleshoot any day-to-day issues that arise. Network engineer positions can also require skills in other areas, such as security, automation, unified communications (UC) and cloud.
What is the difference between a software engineer and an IT engineer?
They may work in a team of engineers and other IT specialists to ensure the network does not falter and there is no disruption to business operations. In contrast, software engineers focus on designing systems and writing software codes. As a result, they usually work on computers in an office environment.
