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The differences between automation engineers and software quality 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 automation engineer and a software quality engineer. Additionally, a software quality engineer has an average salary of $99,902, which is higher than the $92,597 average annual salary of an automation engineer.
The top three skills for an automation engineer include python, java and PLC. The most important skills for a software quality engineer are software quality, java, and python.
| Automation Engineer | Software Quality Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $92,597 | $99,902 |
| Hourly rate | $44.52 | $48.03 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 133,941 | 279,437 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| 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 Quality Engineer ensures that the software of a company meets all quality standards. They are responsible for software development, inspection, implementation, testing, and verification.
Automation engineers and software quality engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Automation Engineer | Software Quality Engineer | |
| Average salary | $92,597 | $99,902 |
| Salary range | Between $70,000 And $121,000 | Between $73,000 And $136,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Technology |
There are a few differences between an automation engineer and a software quality engineer in terms of educational background:
| Automation Engineer | Software Quality Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Computer Science |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between automation engineers' and software quality engineers' demographics:
| Automation Engineer | Software Quality Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.0% Female, 13.0% | Male, 67.3% Female, 32.7% |
| 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, 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% |