Software Engineer vs Prompt Engineer: Which Pays More?
Side-by-side salary comparison by city, experience level, and career growth outlook. Data reflects current market rates.
Software Engineer
Design, develop and maintain software systems and applications.
Prompt Engineer
Design and optimise prompts for large language models and AI systems.
Software Engineer earns more on average — the national median is $15,750/year (13%) higher than a Prompt Engineer. However, salaries vary significantly by city, employer, and experience level — see the city-by-city breakdown below.
Software Engineer vs Prompt Engineer — Salary by City
National median figures in USD across top cities.
| City | Software Engineer | Prompt Engineer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $194,950 | $179,192 | Software +$15,758 |
| New York, NY | $166,830 | $135,980 | Software +$30,850 |
| Seattle, WA | $189,468 | $168,489 | Software +$20,979 |
| Austin, TX | $148,834 | $133,715 | Software +$15,119 |
| Chicago, IL | $149,966 | $131,261 | Software +$18,705 |
| Boston, MA | $176,542 | $160,844 | Software +$15,698 |
| London, UK | £73,942 | £92,719 | Software $18,777 |
| Toronto, Canada | CA$126,152 | CA$162,766 | Software $36,614 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Software Engineer or Prompt Engineer earn more?+
A Software Engineer earns more on average. The national median salary for a Software Engineer is $135,980/year, compared to $120,230/year for a Prompt Engineer — a difference of $15,750 (13%).
Which has better career growth — Software Engineer or Prompt Engineer?+
Software Engineer roles are growing at 25% YoY while Prompt Engineer demand is growing at 80% YoY. Prompt Engineer has stronger near-term demand growth.
Can you switch from Software Engineer to Prompt Engineer?+
Yes. Many professionals transition between these roles, especially since both are in the same category. Shared skills include: Python.
Which is harder to automate — Software Engineer or Prompt Engineer?+
Prompt Engineer has a lower AI automation risk (15% vs 48%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.