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The differences between applications support engineers and technical support senior 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 applications support engineer, becoming a technical support senior engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a technical support senior engineer has an average salary of $107,429, which is higher than the $89,928 average annual salary of an applications support engineer.
The top three skills for an applications support engineer include java, application support and database. The most important skills for a technical support senior engineer are java, linux, and customer service.
| Applications Support Engineer | Technical Support Senior Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $89,928 | $107,429 |
| Hourly rate | $43.23 | $51.65 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 222,780 | 183,916 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 39 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
An applications support engineer is responsible for monitoring the efficiency and optimal performance of the application and network systems to support business operations and functions. Applications support engineers work on the installation of updates, upgrade system infrastructure, and resolve technical process issues and gaps. They also analyze the condition of existing applications and modify procedures to improve stability and configuration. An applications support engineer must have excellent communication and technical skills to identify failure sources and create resolution manuals to prevent downtime reoccurrence.
A technical support senior engineer is primarily in charge of resolving complicated issues and concerns through calls and correspondence, ensuring efficiency and client satisfaction. Their responsibilities include coordinating with customer support staff to gather data, studying records of initial assessments, liaising with clients to identify their needs, utilizing their expertise to develop solutions, and maintaining records of all transactions. Furthermore, as a technical support senior engineer, it is essential to lead and serve as a mentor to others, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Applications support engineers and technical support senior engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Applications Support Engineer | Technical Support Senior Engineer | |
| Average salary | $89,928 | $107,429 |
| Salary range | Between $67,000 And $120,000 | Between $82,000 And $140,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Delaware |
| Best paying company | ICE Mortgage Technology | PayPal |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between an applications support engineer and a technical support senior engineer in terms of educational background:
| Applications Support Engineer | Technical Support Senior Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between applications support engineers' and technical support senior engineers' demographics:
| Applications Support Engineer | Technical Support Senior Engineer | |
| Average age | 39 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 80.8% Female, 19.2% | Male, 86.7% Female, 13.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 30.0% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 15.0% White, 55.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 11% |