Computer builder vs software engineer

The differences between computer builders and software engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a computer builder, becoming a software engineer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a software engineer has an average salary of $100,260, which is higher than the $29,137 average annual salary of a computer builder.

The top three skills for a computer builder include computer system, assembly line and windows xp. The most important skills for a software engineer are java, python, and software development.

Computer builder vs software engineer overview

	Computer Builder	Software Engineer
Yearly salary	$29,137	$100,260
Hourly rate	$14.01	$48.20
Growth rate	10%	21%
Number of jobs	55,464	339,938
Job satisfaction	-	3.5
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 31%	Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Average age	42	39
Years of experience	2	4

Computer builder vs software engineer salary

Computer builders and software engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Computer Builder	Software Engineer
Average salary	$29,137	$100,260
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $33,000	Between $73,000 And $136,000
Highest paying City	-	San Bruno, CA
Highest paying state	-	California
Best paying company	-	The Citadel
Best paying industry	-	Start-up

Differences between computer builder and software engineer education

There are a few differences between a computer builder and a software engineer in terms of educational background:

	Computer Builder	Software Engineer
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 31%	Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Most common major	Computer Science	Computer Science
Most common college	Massachusetts Institute of Technology	Harvard University

Computer builder vs software engineer demographics

Here are the differences between computer builders' and software engineers' demographics:

	Computer Builder	Software Engineer
Average age	42	39
Gender ratio	Male, 80.7% Female, 19.3%	Male, 78.0% Female, 22.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 11.4% White, 55.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%	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	11%	8%

Differences between computer builder and software engineer duties and responsibilities

Computer builder example responsibilities.

Manage automation jobs within Jenkins.
Build, install, and troubleshoot home personal computers.
Design, assemble and set up custom PCs for friends while in high school.
Repair wires, troubleshot computer problems, wiring problems, download mission data and support all agencies during flight missions.
Propose and create a centralize database for departmental document retention to meet compliance requirements and streamline workloads of administrative staff.
Compile lists of parts (BOM) for electrical and mechanical engineers.

Software engineer example responsibilities.

Manage product releases, solve software bugs in a client/server environment, write UNIX shell scripts to manage development environments.
Manage responsive UI design, implementing complex, dynamic functionality.
Define continuous integration process and configure Jenkins build server to manage it.
Develop a python serial communication program to automate test procedures and verify proper operation.
Manage website/software/mobile applications by generating full scope requirements base upon PMI / SDLC guidance.
Contribute to implementing microservices used to manage entities and maintain a synchronize state between supplier and distributor.

Computer builder vs software engineer skills

Common computer builder skills

Computer System, 62%
Assembly Line, 10%
Windows XP, 6%
Troubleshoot, 6%
Circuit Boards, 4%
CPU, 3%

Common software engineer skills

Java, 15%
Python, 9%
Software Development, 6%
Database, 3%
GIT, 3%
Object Oriented Programming, 3%