Pay by Role
Germany · Salary comparison

Network Engineer vs Software Engineer salary

In Germany, a network engineer earns about 16% more than a software engineer $153,971 vs $132,301 per year.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is EUR). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

Pays more
Technology
Network Engineer
$153,971/yr
Monthly
$12,888
Hourly
$74
Range
$104,130$214,989
10-yr outlook
+5%
Technology
Software Engineer
$132,301/yr
Monthly
$11,063
Hourly
$64
Range
$84,627$190,468
10-yr outlook
+17%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileNetwork EngineerSoftware Engineer
Entry (10th)$104,130$84,627
25th$128,993$108,464
Median$153,971$132,301
75th$184,423$161,384
Senior (90th)$214,989$190,468

National Germany figures in EUR. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Technology comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a network engineer or software engineer earn more in Germany?
A network engineer earns more, at about 135.000 € per year vs 116.000 € for a software engineer — roughly 16% (19.000 €) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in Germany?
A network engineer typically earns 91.300 €–188.500 €, while a software engineer earns 74.200 €–167.000 € per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in Germany?
On a monthly basis before tax, a network engineer averages about 11.300 € and a software engineer about 9.700 €.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in Germany, a network engineer earns about 91.300 € while a software engineer earns about 74.200 € per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in Germany, a network engineer earns about 188.500 € while a software engineer earns about 167.000 € per year.
Are network engineer and software engineer similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Technology category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.