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The differences between performance test engineers 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 performance test engineer and a senior test engineer. Additionally, a performance test engineer has an average salary of $97,965, which is higher than the $82,775 average annual salary of a senior test engineer.
The top three skills for a performance test engineer include java, test results and jmeter. The most important skills for a senior test engineer are test cases, python, and java.
| Performance Test Engineer | Senior Test Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $97,965 | $82,775 |
| Hourly rate | $47.10 | $39.80 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 44,502 | 245,814 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| 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.
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.
Performance test engineers and senior test engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Performance Test Engineer | Senior Test Engineer | |
| Average salary | $97,965 | $82,775 |
| Salary range | Between $75,000 And $127,000 | Between $63,000 And $107,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Palo Alto, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a performance test engineer and a senior test engineer in terms of educational background:
| Performance Test Engineer | Senior Test Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | 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 performance test engineers' and senior test engineers' demographics:
| Performance Test Engineer | Senior Test Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 81.1% Female, 18.9% | 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% |