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The differences between computer applications engineers and software engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a computer applications engineer and a software engineer. Additionally, a software engineer has an average salary of $100,260, which is higher than the $96,367 average annual salary of a computer applications engineer.
The top three skills for a computer applications engineer include FANUC, machine tools and CAD/CAM. The most important skills for a software engineer are java, python, and software development.
| Computer Applications Engineer | Software Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $96,367 | $100,260 |
| Hourly rate | $46.33 | $48.20 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 128,496 | 339,938 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3.5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Computer applications engineers and software engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Computer Applications Engineer | Software Engineer | |
| Average salary | $96,367 | $100,260 |
| Salary range | Between $71,000 And $129,000 | Between $73,000 And $136,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Bruno, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Chegg | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Start-up |
There are a few differences between a computer applications engineer and a software engineer in terms of educational background:
| Computer Applications Engineer | Software Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between computer applications engineers' and software engineers' demographics:
| Computer Applications Engineer | Software Engineer | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 81.9% Female, 18.1% | Male, 78.0% Female, 22.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.3% Asian, 25.3% White, 56.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 34.0% White, 48.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |