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The differences between performance test engineers and software 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 software test engineer. Additionally, a performance test engineer has an average salary of $97,965, which is higher than the $85,338 average annual salary of a software test engineer.
The top three skills for a performance test engineer include java, test results and jmeter. The most important skills for a software test engineer are python, java, and test automation.
| Performance Test Engineer | Software Test Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $97,965 | $85,338 |
| Hourly rate | $47.10 | $41.03 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 44,502 | 243,382 |
| 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.
Software engineers are responsible for coordinating the process of analyzing computer software programs. This process requires creating and implementing testing methods, documenting the test results, and providing recommendations for software improvements. They are also responsible for other tasks, including writing software testing procedures and creating testing scripts using different programming languages. A software engineer also collaborates with software developers and other staff members from the start and completion of a particular project. Having a bachelor's degree in software engineering, computer science, or information technology is needed to become a software engineer.
Performance test engineers and software test engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Performance Test Engineer | Software Test Engineer | |
| Average salary | $97,965 | $85,338 |
| Salary range | Between $75,000 And $127,000 | Between $63,000 And $115,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Mateo, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a performance test engineer and a software test engineer in terms of educational background:
| Performance Test Engineer | Software Test Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between performance test engineers' and software test engineers' demographics:
| Performance Test Engineer | Software Test Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 81.1% Female, 18.9% | Male, 68.6% Female, 31.4% |
| 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% |