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The differences between automation leads 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 automation lead and a senior test engineer. Additionally, an automation lead has an average salary of $106,261, which is higher than the $82,775 average annual salary of a senior test engineer.
The top three skills for an automation lead include java, python and C++. The most important skills for a senior test engineer are test cases, python, and java.
| Automation Lead | Senior Test Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $106,261 | $82,775 |
| Hourly rate | $51.09 | $39.80 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 36,010 | 245,814 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
An Automation Lead is primarily in charge of testing and operating automated machinery in manufacturing facilities. They typically work together with automation teams, adhere to guidelines and protocols, meet project requirements, and produce progress reports. There are also instances when an automation lead may participate in conceptualizing machinery, conducting research and analyses, and addressing issues and concerns. Moreover, an Automation Lead usually works in a team setting, which requires an active communication line for a smooth and efficient workflow.
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.
Automation leads and senior test engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Automation Lead | Senior Test Engineer | |
| Average salary | $106,261 | $82,775 |
| Salary range | Between $82,000 And $137,000 | Between $63,000 And $107,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Palo Alto, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | ||
| Best paying industry | Retail | Automotive |
There are a few differences between an automation lead and a senior test engineer in terms of educational background:
| Automation Lead | Senior Test Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| 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 automation leads' and senior test engineers' demographics:
| Automation Lead | Senior Test Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 80.7% Female, 19.3% | 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% |