Backend Developer vs Security Engineer
Measured from each occupation's own live postings: mostly different jobs wearing similar names. Posted pay favors the security engineer by about $12k at the midpoint.
The short answer
On pay, security engineers come out ahead by about $12k a year at the midpoint of posted bands: $68k–$151k against $69k–$125k for backend developers. These are advertised figures from postings that state a salary, not estimates.
On skills, they are mostly different jobs that happen to share a name or a hallway. The overlap is thin, which is often exactly why people search this pair. The readiness numbers further down say how far a typical profile on each side already reaches into the other, and which direction is the easier move.
Backend Developer
backend developer jobs · backend developer salary · backend developer career guide · careers for backend developers
Security Engineer
security engineer jobs · security engineer salary · security engineer career guide · careers for security engineers
Switching, both directions
The direction matters: backend developer → security engineer reads 36% ready, the reverse only 21%. Skill overlap is not symmetric.
Backend Developer → Security Engineer
What security engineer postings ask for that backend developer profiles usually lack: Cybersecurity, Networking, Linux, Clinical Skills.
Security Engineer → Backend Developer
What backend developer postings ask for that security engineer profiles usually lack: Java, Microservices, SQL, C#.
Open backend developer roles
Senior Backend Engineer (m/f/d) at TYTAN Technologies GmbHMunich, Bayern, Germany1d agoApply
Senior Backend Engineer at GLS/NXTBerlin1d agoApply
Senior Backend Developer (m/w/d) – AI-Driven Development at Weissenberg Group GmbHWolfsburg1d agoApply
Senior Java Developer for E-Commerce + Accounting SaaS company - remote in EU at Pathway Solutions GmbhHamburg · Remote1d agoApply
Open security engineer roles
Fachkraft für Arbeitssicherheit (SiFa) / Sicherheitsingenieur (mensch) – Brandenburg at Argumed GmbHBrandenburg1d agoApply- Fachkraft für Arbeitssicherheit (SiFa) / Sicherheitsingenieur (mensch) – Berlin at Argumed GmbHBerlin1d agoApply
Backend Security Engineer at Micro1Remote1d agoApply
Identity & Access Management (IAM) Security Analyst(Bilingual English) at ConcentrixMexico · Remote1d agoApply
See the whole board for both
1,350 open roles across the two.
Related comparisons
- Backend Developer vs Software Engineer71% peak overlap
- Penetration Tester vs Security Engineer71% peak overlap
- Network Engineer vs Security Engineer66% peak overlap
- Backend Developer vs Mobile Developer59% peak overlap
- Backend Developer vs Solutions Architect50% peak overlap
- Security Engineer vs Systems Administrator49% peak overlap
Which one do your skills favor?
Run the instrument with your own skills and both numbers recompute for you. Free.
Quick answers
Which pays more, backend developer or security engineer?
On pay, security engineers come out ahead by about $12k a year at the midpoint of posted bands: $68k–$151k against $69k–$125k for backend developers. These are advertised figures from postings that state a salary, not estimates. By seniority and country: backend developer salary and security engineer salary.
Are backend developer and security engineer the same job?
On skills, they are mostly different jobs that happen to share a name or a hallway. The overlap is thin, which is often exactly why people search this pair.
Can a backend developer become a security engineer?
Yes, and the numbers say how far along you already are: a typical backend developer profile covers 36% of what security engineer postings ask for. The instrument lists the exact skills that make up the rest.
Can a security engineer become a backend developer?
Going the other way, a typical security engineer profile covers 21% of what backend developer postings ask for. The two directions are not symmetric: backend developer to security engineer is the easier move, 36% against 21%.
How many backend developer and security engineer jobs are open right now?
Right now our board has 760 backend developer openings and 590 security engineer openings, each linking to the original posting. The board refreshes every night, so the counts move with the market. Hiring the most backend developers at the moment: GitLab (14), Inetum (14), CI&T (13). For security engineers: Spacex (19), ServiceNow (12), GitLab (7).
Pay is the posted middle half; readiness is how much of the other role’s skill demand a typical profile covers. Refreshed nightly.