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The differences between senior desktop engineers and software development 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 desktop engineer and a software development engineer. Additionally, a senior desktop engineer has an average salary of $114,786, which is higher than the $109,147 average annual salary of a software development engineer.
The top three skills for a senior desktop engineer include SCCM, powershell and infrastructure. The most important skills for a software development engineer are java, software development, and AWS.
| Senior Desktop Engineer | Software Development Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $114,786 | $109,147 |
| Hourly rate | $55.19 | $52.47 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 264,973 | 356,971 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A senior desktop engineer identifies problems within computer systems and troubleshoots technical issues. They may also be responsible for creating software images, developing software, and updating schedules. This position requires knowledge in network troubleshooting, DNA storage, and problem-solving skills.
A software development engineer is responsible for designing and developing software systems and applications based on clients' specifications and business needs. Software development engineers manage operating systems and analyze network codes to maintain the compatibility of the software applications and control systems. They also run diagnostic tests for every software structure to ensure smooth navigations and perform immediate troubleshooting for inconsistencies. A software development engineer must have a strong command of programming languages, as well as technological processes and analytical skills.
Senior desktop engineers and software development engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Desktop Engineer | Software Development Engineer | |
| Average salary | $114,786 | $109,147 |
| Salary range | Between $87,000 And $151,000 | Between $80,000 And $147,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Bloomberg | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Technology |
There are a few differences between a senior desktop engineer and a software development engineer in terms of educational background:
| Senior Desktop Engineer | Software Development Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between senior desktop engineers' and software development engineers' demographics:
| Senior Desktop Engineer | Software Development Engineer | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.9% Female, 6.1% | Male, 79.6% Female, 20.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.5% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 29.9% White, 52.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 32.7% White, 49.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |