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The differences between automation leads and software testers 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 tester. Additionally, an automation lead has an average salary of $106,261, which is higher than the $78,580 average annual salary of a software tester.
The top three skills for an automation lead include java, python and C++. The most important skills for a software tester are test results, regression, and test scripts.
| Automation Lead | Software Tester | |
| Yearly salary | $106,261 | $78,580 |
| Hourly rate | $51.09 | $37.78 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 36,010 | 208,853 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| 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.
The responsibility of software testers involves the quality assurance of software development and deployment. Software testers conduct manual and automated tests to make sure that the software is developed for its purpose. They remove the issues and bugs within a product before deployment to users. Their responsibilities include software and systems analysis, risk mitigation, and software-related issue prevention. They should have skills in automation, programming, social networking, logical thinking, and mobile and web technology.
Automation leads and software testers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Automation Lead | Software Tester | |
| Average salary | $106,261 | $78,580 |
| Salary range | Between $82,000 And $137,000 | Between $61,000 And $100,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Sunnyvale, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | Nordstrom | |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Technology |
There are a few differences between an automation lead and a software tester in terms of educational background:
| Automation Lead | Software Tester | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| 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 testers' demographics:
| Automation Lead | Software Tester | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 80.7% Female, 19.3% | Male, 62.1% Female, 37.9% |
| 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% |