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The differences between senior engineers and senior systems software 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 engineer, becoming a senior systems software engineer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a senior systems software engineer has an average salary of $122,275, which is higher than the $108,743 average annual salary of a senior engineer.
The top three skills for a senior engineer include java, python and architecture. The most important skills for a senior systems software engineer are python, java, and software development.
| Senior Engineer | Senior Systems Software Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $108,743 | $122,275 |
| Hourly rate | $52.28 | $58.79 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 343,200 | 359,248 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 41 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
A senior engineer is responsible for overseeing all operations within a designated area. With years of experience and expertise, a senior engineer may take charge of establishing goals, deadlines, and budgets for a particular project. They must devise and implement strategies that would improve the quality of workflow and deliver significant results. Furthermore, a senior manager must also supervise a team of skilled engineers, leading them in the joint effort to reach the company's vision and mission, all while adhering to the safety standards and regulations.
A senior systems software engineer is an individual responsible for managing a firm's computer network systems. The professional's roles include resolving complex application and network issues through the development of new solutions, overseeing systems developers and other information technology (IT) personnel, and integrating new technology. The job requires proficiency in the MySQL, Python, and Linux programming languages and excellent skills in organizational and time management and communication. The education requirements for the job include a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer science, or a related field.
Senior engineers and senior systems software engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Engineer | Senior Systems Software Engineer | |
| Average salary | $108,743 | $122,275 |
| Salary range | Between $82,000 And $144,000 | Between $91,000 And $163,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Mateo, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Oregon |
| Best paying company | Roku | Netflix |
| Best paying industry | Start-up | Technology |
There are a few differences between a senior engineer and a senior systems software engineer in terms of educational background:
| Senior Engineer | Senior Systems Software Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between senior engineers' and senior systems software engineers' demographics:
| Senior Engineer | Senior Systems Software Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.1% Female, 10.9% | Male, 85.5% Female, 14.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 17.1% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | 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 | 5% | 8% |