Software Engineer vs Systems Administrator salary
In Germany, a software engineer earns about 3% more than a systems administrator — $132,301 vs $128,879 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
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Technology
Software Engineer$132,301/yr
- Monthly
- $11,063
- Hourly
- $64
- Range
- $84,627–$190,468
- 10-yr outlook
- +17%
Technology
Systems Administrator$128,879/yr
- Monthly
- $10,721
- Hourly
- $62
- Range
- $89,417–$177,123
- 10-yr outlook
- +4%
Pay range, side by side
| Percentile | Software Engineer | Systems Administrator |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $84,627 | $89,417 |
| 25th | $108,464 | $109,148 |
| Median | $132,301 | $128,879 |
| 75th | $161,384 | $152,944 |
| Senior (90th) | $190,468 | $177,123 |
National Germany figures in EUR. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.
More Technology comparisons
Frequently asked questions
- Does a software engineer or systems administrator earn more in Germany?
- A software engineer earns more, at about 116.000 € per year vs 113.000 € for a systems administrator — roughly 3% (3.000 €) more.
- What is the salary range for these roles in Germany?
- A software engineer typically earns 74.200 €–167.000 €, while a systems administrator earns 78.400 €–155.300 € per year.
- How much do these jobs pay per month in Germany?
- On a monthly basis before tax, a software engineer averages about 9.700 € and a systems administrator about 9.400 €.
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in Germany, a software engineer earns about 74.200 € while a systems administrator earns about 78.400 € per year.
- How do senior-level salaries compare?
- At the 90th percentile in Germany, a software engineer earns about 167.000 € while a systems administrator earns about 155.300 € per year.
- Are software engineer and systems administrator 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.