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The differences between game engineers and senior applications engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a game engineer, becoming a senior applications engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a senior applications engineer has an average salary of $107,989, which is higher than the $104,976 average annual salary of a game engineer.
The top three skills for a game engineer include unity, python and game engine. The most important skills for a senior applications engineer are java, C++, and database.
| Game Engineer | Senior Applications Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $104,976 | $107,989 |
| Hourly rate | $50.47 | $51.92 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 242,571 | 274,466 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 39 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
The main task of a game engineer is to design software programs for computer games. Game engineers develop gaming networks and programs for third-party-usage. They create the mechanics of the games, which are coordinated with a story. Also called specialized software engineers, they create coding sequences for gameplay. They may need to establish various codes for gaming devices. The skills they need include knowledge of gaming trends, teamwork skills, programming language proficiency, and creativity.
A senior applications engineer specializes in designing and developing a variety of applications and systems, ensuring quality and efficiency. Their responsibilities typically revolve around utilizing feedback and client needs when making decisions, creating test structures for applications, performing installment and repairs, troubleshooting, and performing regular maintenance checks and upgrades. Furthermore, as a senior applications engineer, it is essential to lead and encourage the engineering team to reach goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Game engineers and senior applications engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Game Engineer | Senior Applications Engineer | |
| Average salary | $104,976 | $107,989 |
| Salary range | Between $72,000 And $152,000 | Between $84,000 And $138,000 |
| Highest paying City | Novato, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Netflix |
| Best paying industry | Start-up | Insurance |
There are a few differences between a game engineer and a senior applications engineer in terms of educational background:
| Game Engineer | Senior Applications Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between game engineers' and senior applications engineers' demographics:
| Game Engineer | Senior Applications Engineer | |
| Average age | 39 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.5% Female, 3.5% | Male, 88.9% Female, 11.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.6% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 31.3% White, 50.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 17.1% White, 67.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 5% |