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The differences between senior leaders and senior 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 leader, becoming a senior software engineer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a senior software engineer has an average salary of $114,494, which is higher than the $114,328 average annual salary of a senior leader.
The top three skills for a senior leader include java, project management and architecture. The most important skills for a senior software engineer are java, python, and javascript.
| Senior Leader | Senior Software Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $114,328 | $114,494 |
| Hourly rate | $54.97 | $55.05 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 214,805 | 338,989 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 43 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
A senior leader specializes in overseeing the business operations and work progress within a particular department or office. Focusing on the workflow and the workforce, they are in charge of assessing performances and motivating staff to meet goals and stay within the allotted time and budget. They may also participate in the hiring and training of new employees, utilizing their talents and shaping them into valuable members of the workforce, all while implementing company rules and regulations.
Senior software engineers are experienced employees who would usually take the lead in projects related to software development. They are in charge of determining the needs of the organization, checking whether there are feasible solutions to challenges, and creating plans for the development of a software solution. They provide a sound analysis of data collected during the testing phase of the software and address any problems during the software development phase. Once the software has been developed, they then ensure that it works well and that it addresses the needs and expectations of the users.
Senior leaders and senior software engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Leader | Senior Software Engineer | |
| Average salary | $114,328 | $114,494 |
| Salary range | Between $80,000 And $162,000 | Between $86,000 And $151,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Airbnb | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Retail |
There are a few differences between a senior leader and a senior software engineer in terms of educational background:
| Senior Leader | Senior Software Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between senior leaders' and senior software engineers' demographics:
| Senior Leader | Senior Software Engineer | |
| Average age | 43 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 71.2% Female, 28.8% | Male, 81.4% Female, 18.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.0% Asian, 14.6% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 31.8% White, 50.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |