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The differences between senior computer engineers and staff engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a senior computer engineer, becoming a staff engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a senior computer engineer has an average salary of $127,660, which is higher than the $107,530 average annual salary of a staff engineer.
The top three skills for a senior computer engineer include C++, CAD and infrastructure. The most important skills for a staff engineer are java, python, and architecture.
| Senior Computer Engineer | Staff Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $127,660 | $107,530 |
| Hourly rate | $61.38 | $51.70 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 42,662 | 277,011 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Average age | 44 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
A senior computer engineer's main goal is to conduct research and design different types of computer hardware and software systems. They must know to manage servers and create automation in projects. They should also know how to resolve network issues and troubleshoot problems.
Staff engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and inspecting various products, equipment, or structures. These professionals may perform varied duties depending on their specialization that includes overseeing the design and construction of buildings, bridges, sewer systems, and other infrastructure, estimating the financial costs of construction projects, and ensuring compliance with health and safety laws and regulations. Other duties include designing and developing machinery, tools, and engines, solving design problems, and building the manufacturing equipment needed to create their products.
Senior computer engineers and staff engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Computer Engineer | Staff Engineer | |
| Average salary | $127,660 | $107,530 |
| Salary range | Between $94,000 And $173,000 | Between $69,000 And $167,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Mateo, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | Flexport |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a senior computer engineer and a staff engineer in terms of educational background:
| Senior Computer Engineer | Staff Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between senior computer engineers' and staff engineers' demographics:
| Senior Computer Engineer | Staff Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 88.3% Female, 11.7% | Male, 87.9% Female, 12.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.1% Unknown, 2.9% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 29.7% White, 50.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 16.8% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 5% |