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The differences between advanced software engineers and lead engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an advanced software engineer, becoming a lead engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an advanced software engineer has an average salary of $101,121, which is higher than the $84,927 average annual salary of a lead engineer.
The top three skills for an advanced software engineer include java, python and linux. The most important skills for a lead engineer are java, python, and architecture.
| Advanced Software Engineer | Lead Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $101,121 | $84,927 |
| Hourly rate | $48.62 | $40.83 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 263,252 | 301,777 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 39 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
An advanced software engineer plans, designs, and develops software according to customers' requirements. They work with a company's IT branch. A software engineer's responsibility is to ensure that an application, software, or program is free from bugs, has a user-friendly user interface, and performs what it is programmed to do. They are also responsible for updates and troubleshooting after software is released.
A lead engineer's duties vary on their line of work or industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities will revolve around overseeing the progress of operations and performance of the workforce, ensuring that everything is running smoothly. They are also responsible for addressing issues and concerns, assessing risks, monitoring the budget, coordinating with clients and architects, and even training workers. Furthermore, as a lead engineer, it is crucial to conduct regular inspections to ensure the quality of work and maintain a safe environment for all workers.
Advanced software engineers and lead engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Advanced Software Engineer | Lead Engineer | |
| Average salary | $101,121 | $84,927 |
| Salary range | Between $80,000 And $126,000 | Between $60,000 And $120,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | JPMorgan Chase & Co. | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Automotive |
There are a few differences between an advanced software engineer and a lead engineer in terms of educational background:
| Advanced Software Engineer | Lead Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between advanced software engineers' and lead engineers' demographics:
| Advanced Software Engineer | Lead Engineer | |
| Average age | 39 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 76.7% Female, 23.3% | Male, 90.8% Female, 9.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.5% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.3% Asian, 31.4% White, 50.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 16.8% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 5% |