NetSuite Developer vs. Administrator – What's the Difference?

Technical Role vs. Functional Role

The quick answer is that a NetSuite administrator vs developer comes down to functional role vs technical role,  but what does that really mean in practice? 

Think about buying a car from a dealership. If you asked the sales rep how the engine works, they probably wouldn’t be able to explain much beyond the basics. But if you asked them about the dashboard features, they’d happily walk you through all the settings and options. 

Now, if you asked the mechanic the same set of questions, the tables would turn. They could explain in detail how the engine, transmission, and systems interact, but if you wanted to learn about the infotainment system or driver-assist features, they’d send you back to the sales floor. 

That’s the difference between a NetSuite administrator vs developer. One understands the mechanics of how the system functions behind the scenes; the other focuses on how the system works for the end user. 

Most people who ask this question are trying to fill an internal role, often assuming they can’t justify the workload (or budget) for both. And while you can find people who straddle both areas, it’s rare to find someone who is equally strong in both. Usually, one side will always dominate. 

Market and Accessibility 

When you look at the job market for NetSuite developers and administrators, developers are in the minority. Admin and consulting skills can often be learned through experience. By contrast, NetSuite developer roles typically require structured training or external education. It’s rare to find someone who learned to code purely “on the job” without taking courses. 

That added barrier to entry drives up the cost of developers, but also reflects how their skills are used less frequently. Most companies don’t need a developer every day or even every week. Functional resources, however, are embedded in day-to-day operations and relied on far more regularly. 

What If I Can Only Afford One Resource? 

Most companies who ask this question are looking to fill an internal role but many don’t feel they have the budget (or workload) to justify both a developer and an administrator, so they look for a hybrid role — someone who can wear both hats. 

The challenge is that true hybrids are rare. And even if you find one, they’ll almost always lean stronger toward one side. That might mean you hire someone who can configure dashboards and train your users well but struggles with advanced scripting. Or you hire a technical wizard who can automate anything but isn’t as comfortable leading cross-department projects or documenting processes. 

As your company grows, your needs will change. In growth periods, you’ll likely need more end-user interactions, training, and feature/module additions. During stabilization periods, you’ll lean more heavily on automations or changes to existing ones to drive cost savings. 

How Do I Choose? 

The truth is that most companies need both NetSuite administrator and developer strengths at different points in their journey. 

This is where a NetSuite consulting partner can be the smarter investment. Not only is the cost usually much less than hiring a full-time employee, but you’re also not limited to one person’s strengths. Instead, you gain access to a team of specialists — developers, administrators, and even business process experts. That means you can tap into the right expertise at the right time, without paying for skills you don’t need every day. 

A consulting partner lets you right-size your NetSuite support strategy as your needs shift, without locking yourself into a single skill set that may not always fit. 

Your needs will evolve as your business evolves. What matters most is having clarity on the differences between functional vs technical NetSuite roles, so you can make intentional decisions. Sometimes that means hiring internally, sometimes it means leaning on a consulting partner, and often it means a mix of both. 

Think of it less as a one-time decision and more as a balance that shifts over time. The key is ensuring you have access to the right expertise when you need it, so your team can stay focused on growing the business — not worrying about who’s managing NetSuite under the hood.