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The differences between advanced software engineers and software test engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an advanced software engineer and a software test engineer. Additionally, an advanced software engineer has an average salary of $101,121, which is higher than the $85,338 average annual salary of a software test engineer.
The top three skills for an advanced software engineer include java, python and linux. The most important skills for a software test engineer are python, java, and test automation.
| Advanced Software Engineer | Software Test Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $101,121 | $85,338 |
| Hourly rate | $48.62 | $41.03 |
| Growth rate | 21% | - |
| Number of jobs | 263,252 | 243,382 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 39 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
Software engineers are responsible for coordinating the process of analyzing computer software programs. This process requires creating and implementing testing methods, documenting the test results, and providing recommendations for software improvements. They are also responsible for other tasks, including writing software testing procedures and creating testing scripts using different programming languages. A software engineer also collaborates with software developers and other staff members from the start and completion of a particular project. Having a bachelor's degree in software engineering, computer science, or information technology is needed to become a software engineer.
Advanced software engineers and software test engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Advanced Software Engineer | Software Test Engineer | |
| Average salary | $101,121 | $85,338 |
| Salary range | Between $80,000 And $126,000 | Between $63,000 And $115,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | San Mateo, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | JPMorgan Chase & Co. | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between an advanced software engineer and a software test engineer in terms of educational background:
| Advanced Software Engineer | Software Test Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between advanced software engineers' and software test engineers' demographics:
| Advanced Software Engineer | Software Test Engineer | |
| Average age | 39 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 76.7% Female, 23.3% | Male, 68.6% Female, 31.4% |
| 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, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 11% |