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The differences between principal software engineers and lead technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a principal software engineer, becoming a lead technician takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a principal software engineer has an average salary of $134,230, which is higher than the $90,615 average annual salary of a lead technician.
The top three skills for a principal software engineer include java, python and software development. The most important skills for a lead technician are java, architecture, and digital transformation.
| Principal Software Engineer | Lead Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $134,230 | $90,615 |
| Hourly rate | $64.53 | $43.56 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 345,893 | 250,590 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Average age | 39 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
A Principal Software Engineer is responsible for the technical aspects of an organization's projects. They diagnose, document, and troubleshoot systems to resolve problems identified through testing, as well as implement strategies to improve integration and efficiency.
Lead technicians are technicians who oversee the technical needs of a specific project or department. They are usually tenured employees, and their familiarity with the company's technical and technological processes, software, and hardware would be a great advantage in succeeding in their role. Lead technicians are responsible for installing, updating, and maintaining various software and hardware components in the office. They often manage a group of technicians, and they ensure that the group they manage is properly trained and well-versed on the processes of the company. Lead technicians are expected to have strong analytical skills and decision-making skills.
Principal software engineers and lead technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Principal Software Engineer | Lead Technician | |
| Average salary | $134,230 | $90,615 |
| Salary range | Between $98,000 And $182,000 | Between $67,000 And $121,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Retail |
There are a few differences between a principal software engineer and a lead technician in terms of educational background:
| Principal Software Engineer | Lead Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between principal software engineers' and lead technicians' demographics:
| Principal Software Engineer | Lead Technician | |
| Average age | 39 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.5% Female, 12.5% | Male, 83.4% Female, 16.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 29.9% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 15.1% White, 53.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 11% |