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The differences between performance test leads 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 lead and a software test engineer. Additionally, a performance test lead has an average salary of $96,573, which is higher than the $85,338 average annual salary of a software test engineer.
The top three skills for a performance test lead include java, provide management and test scenarios. The most important skills for a software test engineer are python, java, and test automation.
| Performance Test Lead | Software Test Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $96,573 | $85,338 |
| Hourly rate | $46.43 | $41.03 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 42,925 | 243,382 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Performance test lead positions require a high school diploma or GED and generally pay around $79K per year. This position calls on individuals who have a clear understanding of business needs and possessing skills in test development, design, and data management. Performance test leads oversee all test activity for given projects, partner with stakeholders to ensure effective planning and definition of requirements, and analyze requirements.
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 leads and software test engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Performance Test Lead | Software Test Engineer | |
| Average salary | $96,573 | $85,338 |
| Salary range | Between $75,000 And $124,000 | Between $63,000 And $115,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Mateo, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | NVIDIA | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a performance test lead and a software test engineer in terms of educational background:
| Performance Test Lead | Software Test Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between performance test leads' and software test engineers' demographics:
| Performance Test Lead | Software Test Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 67.5% Female, 32.5% | 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% |