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The differences between performance test engineers and automation 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 performance test engineer and an automation engineer. Additionally, a performance test engineer has an average salary of $97,965, which is higher than the $92,597 average annual salary of an automation engineer.
The top three skills for a performance test engineer include java, test results and jmeter. The most important skills for an automation engineer are python, java, and PLC.
| Performance Test Engineer | Automation Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $97,965 | $92,597 |
| Hourly rate | $47.10 | $44.52 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 44,502 | 133,941 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A performance test engineer is responsible for conducting performance testing to ensure system capacity, reliability, and scalability. Typical duties that you will perform include working closely with the testing team in developing performance test cases and plans, analyzing test results, and handling bug fixes in collaboration with development teams. Additionally, you will be responsible for evaluating the root causes of performance problems and resolve them. You will also be responsible for developing automated test scenarios for performance testing.
An automation engineer takes charge of developing detailed design specifications and any other documents. Automation engineers develop automation software that is based on certain requirements for the involved process. They conform to local standards, international standards, and other process-oriented guidelines. Their duties also include the simulation and testing of automated machinery and processes. The must-have skills for this position include configuration software experience, scripting and coding expertise, certifications, and in-depth knowledge of technology.
Performance test engineers and automation engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Performance Test Engineer | Automation Engineer | |
| Average salary | $97,965 | $92,597 |
| Salary range | Between $75,000 And $127,000 | Between $70,000 And $121,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Retail |
There are a few differences between a performance test engineer and an automation engineer in terms of educational background:
| Performance Test Engineer | Automation Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| 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 performance test engineers' and automation engineers' demographics:
| Performance Test Engineer | Automation Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 81.1% Female, 18.9% | Male, 87.0% Female, 13.0% |
| 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% |