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The differences between release engineers and software systems 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 release engineer and a software systems engineer. Additionally, a software systems engineer has an average salary of $107,102, which is higher than the $97,777 average annual salary of a release engineer.
The top three skills for a release engineer include GIT, python and jenkins. The most important skills for a software systems engineer are java, python, and software development.
| Release Engineer | Software Systems Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $97,777 | $107,102 |
| Hourly rate | $47.01 | $51.49 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 257,869 | 370,518 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
A software systems engineer is responsible for designing and creating software systems applications and programs according to clients' specifications or business' needs. They work to improve the features of existing applications to boost efficiency and optimal performance. Software systems engineers manage systems configuration and structural development to develop high-quality outputs and deliverables. They also run multiple diagnostic tests to ensure smooth navigations and server transitions and identify efficient technical solutions. A software systems engineer assists the end-users with application issues, performing troubleshooting operations, and creating resolution reports for reference.
Release engineers and software systems engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Release Engineer | Software Systems Engineer | |
| Average salary | $97,777 | $107,102 |
| Salary range | Between $73,000 And $130,000 | Between $80,000 And $142,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Start-up |
There are a few differences between a release engineer and a software systems engineer in terms of educational background:
| Release Engineer | Software Systems Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between release engineers' and software systems engineers' demographics:
| Release Engineer | Software Systems Engineer | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 79.4% Female, 20.6% | Male, 81.1% Female, 18.9% |
| 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, 4.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.3% Asian, 29.8% White, 52.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |