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The differences between senior automation test engineers and system 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 senior automation test engineer and a system test engineer. Additionally, a system test engineer has an average salary of $100,751, which is higher than the $97,825 average annual salary of a senior automation test engineer.
The top three skills for a senior automation test engineer include java, api testing and mobile testing. The most important skills for a system test engineer are python, test procedures, and C++.
| Senior Automation Test Engineer | System Test Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $97,825 | $100,751 |
| Hourly rate | $47.03 | $48.44 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 109,068 | 131,653 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A senior automation test engineer is responsible for using innovative engineering methods to automate the systems within the company. They must troubleshoot various problems related to automation and test different plans for large-scale projects. They should be able to design effective systems that interact with client-side functionality.
A system test engineer is responsible for performing diagnostic tests on computer systems and applications, measuring its performance and efficiency, and recommending technical solutions as needed. System test engineers assist in system configuration and network infrastructure, ensuring that the deliverables meet the business requirements and project specifications. They should have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, as well as a strong command of programming languages, to automate scripts for quality check methodologies. A system test engineer coordinates with the technology team in improving the user interface, including navigation and server stability.
Senior automation test engineers and system test engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Automation Test Engineer | System Test Engineer | |
| Average salary | $97,825 | $100,751 |
| Salary range | Between $78,000 And $122,000 | Between $76,000 And $132,000 |
| Highest paying City | Redwood City, CA | Petaluma, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Nevada |
| Best paying company | Koch Industries | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Professional |
There are a few differences between a senior automation test engineer and a system test engineer in terms of educational background:
| Senior Automation Test Engineer | System Test Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between senior automation test engineers' and system test engineers' demographics:
| Senior Automation Test Engineer | System Test Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 73.5% Female, 26.5% | Male, 80.3% Female, 19.7% |
| 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% |