Pay by Role
India · Salary comparison

Software Engineer vs Systems Administrator salary

In India, a software engineer earns about 11% more than a systems administrator $23,457 vs $21,049 per year.

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

Pays more
Technology
Software Engineer
$23,457/yr
Monthly
$1,955
Hourly
$11
Range
$15,013$33,778
10-yr outlook
+17%
Technology
Systems Administrator
$21,049/yr
Monthly
$1,754
Hourly
$10
Range
$14,607$28,921
10-yr outlook
+4%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileSoftware EngineerSystems Administrator
Entry (10th)$15,013$14,607
25th$19,235$17,829
Median$23,457$21,049
75th$28,618$24,985
Senior (90th)$33,778$28,921

National India figures in INR. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Technology comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a software engineer or systems administrator earn more in India?
A software engineer earns more, at about ₹22,40,000 per year vs ₹20,10,000 for a systems administrator — roughly 11% (₹2,30,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in India?
A software engineer typically earns ₹14,33,600–₹32,25,600, while a systems administrator earns ₹13,94,900–₹27,61,700 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in India?
On a monthly basis before tax, a software engineer averages about ₹1,86,700 and a systems administrator about ₹1,67,500.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in India, a software engineer earns about ₹14,33,600 while a systems administrator earns about ₹13,94,900 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in India, a software engineer earns about ₹32,25,600 while a systems administrator earns about ₹27,61,700 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.