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The differences between senior applications engineers and senior systems engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a senior applications engineer, becoming a senior systems engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a senior systems engineer has an average salary of $108,121, which is higher than the $107,989 average annual salary of a senior applications engineer.
The top three skills for a senior applications engineer include java, C++ and database. The most important skills for a senior systems engineer are architecture, linux, and java.
| Senior Applications Engineer | Senior Systems Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $107,989 | $108,121 |
| Hourly rate | $51.92 | $51.98 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 274,466 | 166,742 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 41 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 2 |
A senior applications engineer specializes in designing and developing a variety of applications and systems, ensuring quality and efficiency. Their responsibilities typically revolve around utilizing feedback and client needs when making decisions, creating test structures for applications, performing installment and repairs, troubleshooting, and performing regular maintenance checks and upgrades. Furthermore, as a senior applications engineer, it is essential to lead and encourage the engineering team to reach goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
A senior systems engineer specializes in overseeing network systems, management tools, software, and hardware within a company or an organization. Their primary responsibility is to install, maintain, and resolve complex system issues using their years of extensive knowledge and expertise. They can also provide insights, troubleshooting, and technical support should it be needed. Furthermore, as a senior systems engineer, it is also their responsibility to lead, supervise, and coordinate with a team of skilled system engineers while in adherence to company policies and regulations.
Senior applications engineers and senior systems engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Applications Engineer | Senior Systems Engineer | |
| Average salary | $107,989 | $108,121 |
| Salary range | Between $84,000 And $138,000 | Between $82,000 And $141,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Redwood City, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Netflix | Roku |
| Best paying industry | Insurance | Retail |
There are a few differences between a senior applications engineer and a senior systems engineer in terms of educational background:
| Senior Applications Engineer | Senior Systems Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Stanford University | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between senior applications engineers' and senior systems engineers' demographics:
| Senior Applications Engineer | Senior Systems Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 88.9% Female, 11.1% | Male, 88.6% Female, 11.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 17.1% White, 67.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 30.0% White, 52.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 8% |