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The differences between knowledge engineers and software design 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 knowledge engineer, becoming a software design engineer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a software design engineer has an average salary of $98,799, which is higher than the $83,626 average annual salary of a knowledge engineer.
The top three skills for a knowledge engineer include python, sharepoint and javascript. The most important skills for a software design engineer are software development, python, and software design.
| Knowledge Engineer | Software Design Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $83,626 | $98,799 |
| Hourly rate | $40.20 | $47.50 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 254,168 | 315,080 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 41 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
A Knowledge Engineer specializes in designing and developing computer systems that facilitate human knowledge and thought processes. Their responsibilities often revolve around understanding the client or the company's needs, conducting extensive research and analysis, conceptualizing plans, coordinating with fellow experts, building prototypes and test structures, troubleshooting problems, and developing solutions against problem areas. Knowledge Engineers manage staff and oversee their performance, all while implementing its policies and regulations.
A software design engineer or SDE is part of a software development enterprise. Software design engineers determine the problems or issues and figure out how to establish programs to ease and automate the situations. They fabricate style sheets for the management of the individual aspects of huge engineering projects. It is their job to develop strategies for hardware architecture and software engineering. They also handle and mentor engineering interns for professional guidance.
Knowledge engineers and software design engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Knowledge Engineer | Software Design Engineer | |
| Average salary | $83,626 | $98,799 |
| Salary range | Between $60,000 And $115,000 | Between $74,000 And $130,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | California |
| Best paying company | JPMorgan Chase & Co. | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a knowledge engineer and a software design engineer in terms of educational background:
| Knowledge Engineer | Software Design Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between knowledge engineers' and software design engineers' demographics:
| Knowledge Engineer | Software Design Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 70.8% Female, 29.2% | Male, 81.6% Female, 18.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 13.9% White, 69.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 4.5% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 29.9% White, 52.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 8% |