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The differences between automation leads 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 lead and a software quality engineer. Additionally, an automation lead has an average salary of $106,261, which is higher than the $99,902 average annual salary of a software quality engineer.
The top three skills for an automation lead include java, python and C++. The most important skills for a software quality engineer are software quality, java, and python.
| Automation Lead | Software Quality Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $106,261 | $99,902 |
| Hourly rate | $51.09 | $48.03 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 36,010 | 279,437 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| 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 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 leads and software quality engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Automation Lead | Software Quality Engineer | |
| Average salary | $106,261 | $99,902 |
| Salary range | Between $82,000 And $137,000 | Between $73,000 And $136,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Technology |
There are a few differences between an automation lead and a software quality engineer in terms of educational background:
| Automation Lead | Software Quality Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between automation leads' and software quality engineers' demographics:
| Automation Lead | Software Quality Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 80.7% Female, 19.3% | 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% |