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The differences between release engineers and engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a release engineer, becoming an engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a release engineer has an average salary of $97,777, which is higher than the $92,077 average annual salary of an engineer.
The top three skills for a release engineer include GIT, python and jenkins. The most important skills for an engineer are python, cloud, and C++.
| Release Engineer | Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $97,777 | $92,077 |
| Hourly rate | $47.01 | $44.27 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 257,869 | 618,207 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.33 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 39 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
Release engineers are skilled professionals who ensure that all hardware and software components are correctly working together through the use of their knowledge in coding and programming languages. To make sure that products are configured and implemented successfully, these engineers are required to work with production members, software engineers, and quality assurance (QA) professionals. They must assess the quality and risk of the new products as well as troubleshoot any issues pertaining to the software's performance. Release engineers must also organize a release schedule for a software product by using data analysis and production progress reports.
Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.
Release engineers and engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Release Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average salary | $97,777 | $92,077 |
| Salary range | Between $73,000 And $130,000 | Between $65,000 And $130,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Huntsville, AL |
| Highest paying state | California | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | Meta | Fort Bend County |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a release engineer and an engineer in terms of educational background:
| Release Engineer | Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between release engineers' and engineers' demographics:
| Release Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average age | 39 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 79.4% Female, 20.6% | Male, 86.3% Female, 13.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 29.7% White, 52.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 3.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 15.0% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 5% |