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The differences between functional testers and senior test 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 functional tester and a senior test engineer. Additionally, a senior test engineer has an average salary of $82,775, which is higher than the $76,647 average annual salary of a functional tester.
The top three skills for a functional tester include java, test cases and web application. The most important skills for a senior test engineer are test cases, python, and java.
| Functional Tester | Senior Test Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $76,647 | $82,775 |
| Hourly rate | $36.85 | $39.80 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 37,146 | 245,814 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A functional tester's main responsibility is to validate the behavior of an application and analyzed the requirements of the clients. They are skilled in Java and database design for software development. The tasks they do are complex, including scanning IDs of the receiver and serial numbers on each unit, testing the units to make sure they work properly, and checking for any defects and damages. They are also trained in using numerical codes for passing or failing each unit and writing serial numbers on the production tracker.
A senior test engineer is an individual who is responsible for developing and implementing cost-effective methods of testing and troubleshooting computer systems and equipment. Senior test engineers must assist junior engineers in developing test plans and conducting testing activities on complex systems to meet program requirements. They aid in the areas of predictability, manufacturing processing, and improvement in the equipment and process. Senior test engineers must also develop proposal inputs and reviews documents generated by junior engineers.
Functional testers and senior test engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Functional Tester | Senior Test Engineer | |
| Average salary | $76,647 | $82,775 |
| Salary range | Between $61,000 And $94,000 | Between $63,000 And $107,000 |
| Highest paying City | Bellevue, WA | Palo Alto, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | Cerner | |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a functional tester and a senior test engineer in terms of educational background:
| Functional Tester | Senior Test Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between functional testers' and senior test engineers' demographics:
| Functional Tester | Senior Test Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 65.3% Female, 34.7% | Male, 79.1% Female, 20.9% |
| 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% |