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The differences between automation engineers and software developers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an automation engineer and a software developer. Additionally, an automation engineer has an average salary of $92,597, which is higher than the $87,521 average annual salary of a software developer.
The top three skills for an automation engineer include python, java and PLC. The most important skills for a software developer are java, python, and C++.
| Automation Engineer | Software Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $92,597 | $87,521 |
| Hourly rate | $44.52 | $42.08 |
| Growth rate | - | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 133,941 | 294,329 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 44 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
An automation engineer takes charge of developing detailed design specifications and any other documents. Automation engineers develop automation software that is based on certain requirements for the involved process. They conform to local standards, international standards, and other process-oriented guidelines. Their duties also include the simulation and testing of automated machinery and processes. The must-have skills for this position include configuration software experience, scripting and coding expertise, certifications, and in-depth knowledge of technology.
A software developer is responsible for designing application systems to support the user and business' needs. Duties of a software developer include testing software codes, performing diagnostic programs and troubleshooting, interpreting system data and establishing efficient parameters, and ensuring the compatibility of the systems. A software developer must have an excellent knowledge of computer programs and programming languages to understand its complexities, especially on detecting system defects and malfunctions. A software developer must have strong attention to detail, communication, and decision-making skills to coordinate with the team and also work independently under minimal supervision.
Automation engineers and software developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Automation Engineer | Software Developer | |
| Average salary | $92,597 | $87,521 |
| Salary range | Between $70,000 And $121,000 | Between $67,000 And $113,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Finance |
There are a few differences between an automation engineer and a software developer in terms of educational background:
| Automation Engineer | Software Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Computer Science |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between automation engineers' and software developers' demographics:
| Automation Engineer | Software Developer | |
| Average age | 44 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.0% Female, 13.0% | Male, 79.3% Female, 20.7% |
| 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, 4.5% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 29.9% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 8% |