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The differences between senior information technology engineers and information technology technical leads 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 information technology engineer, becoming an information technology technical lead takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a senior information technology engineer has an average salary of $113,612, which is higher than the $110,879 average annual salary of an information technology technical lead.
The top three skills for a senior information technology engineer include cloud, architecture and java. The most important skills for an information technology technical lead are project management, architecture, and governance.
| Senior Information Technology Engineer | Information Technology Technical Lead | |
| Yearly salary | $113,612 | $110,879 |
| Hourly rate | $54.62 | $53.31 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 163,912 | 156,246 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
A senior information technology engineer is responsible for designing and creating technical solutions to support business operations and client specifications. Senior information technology engineers improve existing software applications and programs to boost optimization and stabilize network infrastructure. They also support end-users in resolving their system issues and write troubleshooting reports to prevent the reoccurrence of downtimes and delays. A senior information technology engineer must have excellent technical and organizational skills to test multiple systems and ensure that the features meet the quality standards and business requirements.
An information technology technical lead is responsible for assisting the technology team in solving system issues, designing new application systems, improving existing network infrastructure, and maintaining the safety and security of the organization's database. Information technology technical leads inspect the technology system's performance, recommending strategic solutions for optimization and smooth navigations for end-users. They also perform configurations and modifications, adhering to business requirements to support production operations. An information technology technical lead must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, as well as a strong command of programming languages and system codes to handle technical complexities for maximum efficiency.
Senior information technology engineers and information technology technical leads have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Information Technology Engineer | Information Technology Technical Lead | |
| Average salary | $113,612 | $110,879 |
| Salary range | Between $88,000 And $145,000 | Between $84,000 And $146,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | McKinsey & Company Inc | |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a senior information technology engineer and an information technology technical lead in terms of educational background:
| Senior Information Technology Engineer | Information Technology Technical Lead | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between senior information technology engineers' and information technology technical leads' demographics:
| Senior Information Technology Engineer | Information Technology Technical Lead | |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 88.6% Female, 11.4% | Male, 75.9% Female, 24.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 13.9% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | 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 | 9% | 11% |