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The differences between associate test engineers and senior 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 associate test engineer and a senior test engineer. Additionally, a senior test engineer has an average salary of $82,775, which is higher than the $73,445 average annual salary of an associate test engineer.
The top three skills for an associate test engineer include test results, C++ and test cases. The most important skills for a senior test engineer are test cases, python, and java.
| Associate Test Engineer | Senior Test Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $73,445 | $82,775 |
| Hourly rate | $35.31 | $39.80 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 39,846 | 245,814 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
In the information technology industry, an Associate Test Engineer specializes in developing and implementing test structures to assess software and systems, ensuring they adhere to project requirements and quality standards. They work under the supervision and directives of a senior test engineer. Their responsibilities often include: understanding the clients' needs and preferences, analyzing systems. reviewing documents. troubleshooting issues. identifying and fixing bugs, producing detailed reports and summaries.
Moreover, an Associate Engineer usually works in a team setting, which requires an active communication line for optimal services.
A senior test engineer is an individual who is responsible for developing and implementing cost-effective methods of testing and troubleshooting computer systems and equipment. Senior test engineers must assist junior engineers in developing test plans and conducting testing activities on complex systems to meet program requirements. They aid in the areas of predictability, manufacturing processing, and improvement in the equipment and process. Senior test engineers must also develop proposal inputs and reviews documents generated by junior engineers.
Associate test engineers and senior test engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Associate Test Engineer | Senior Test Engineer | |
| Average salary | $73,445 | $82,775 |
| Salary range | Between $59,000 And $91,000 | Between $63,000 And $107,000 |
| Highest paying City | Palo Alto, CA | Palo Alto, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Automotive |
There are a few differences between an associate test engineer and a senior test engineer in terms of educational background:
| Associate Test Engineer | Senior Test Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between associate test engineers' and senior test engineers' demographics:
| Associate Test Engineer | Senior Test Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.9% Female, 9.1% | Male, 79.1% Female, 20.9% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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 | 11% | 11% |