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The differences between drive test engineers and test engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a drive test engineer, becoming a test engineer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a test engineer has an average salary of $79,832, which is higher than the $76,872 average annual salary of a drive test engineer.
The top three skills for a drive test engineer include data collection, GPS and pre. The most important skills for a test engineer are python, C++, and C #.
| Drive Test Engineer | Test Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $76,872 | $79,832 |
| Hourly rate | $36.96 | $38.38 |
| Growth rate | 3% | - |
| Number of jobs | 36,537 | 228,974 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 45 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
For cars and other automobiles' best performance, drive test engineers can be asked for suggestions. From their expertise, one can ensure that the chosen car is equipped with the necessary accessories such as GPS, Bluetooth hubs, an air conditioner, locks, and USB ports. They train and teach people how to drive safely, following road laws and protocols. They monitor for enhancements and provide reports to stakeholders and managers for its application. They can troubleshoot minor software problems in automobiles.
Test engineers are professionals who observe and record the quality of products, which includes functionality, durability, speed, and safety. They are responsible for checking the materials and procedures thoroughly throughout the production cycle. It is their duty to run tests on different criteria to identify and fix technical issues. They analyze reactions to determine the causes of malfunctions and recommend potential improvements. Moreover, they test products before they are launched to ensure customers get high-quality and functional products.
Drive test engineers and test engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Drive Test Engineer | Test Engineer | |
| Average salary | $76,872 | $79,832 |
| Salary range | Between $57,000 And $103,000 | Between $60,000 And $104,000 |
| Highest paying City | Cupertino, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a drive test engineer and a test engineer in terms of educational background:
| Drive Test Engineer | Test Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between drive test engineers' and test engineers' demographics:
| Drive Test Engineer | Test Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.4% Female, 7.6% | Male, 81.7% Female, 18.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.3% Asian, 15.9% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | 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 | 6% | 11% |