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The differences between senior software application engineers and software systems 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 software application engineer and a software systems engineer. Additionally, a senior software application engineer has an average salary of $117,345, which is higher than the $107,102 average annual salary of a software systems engineer.
The top three skills for a senior software application engineer include java, python and architecture. The most important skills for a software systems engineer are java, python, and software development.
| Senior Software Application Engineer | Software Systems Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $117,345 | $107,102 |
| Hourly rate | $56.42 | $51.49 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 323,172 | 370,518 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Senior software application engineers usually take the lead in software development-related projects. Proficiency in the Phyton, Java, and JavaScript programming languages is an advantage to succeed in the workplace. The engineers' duties and responsibilities include identifying the needs of the organization, planning for the development of a software solution, and analyzing the data collected during the software testing phase. The core skills that these engineers should possess include creativity and strong analytical and communication skills.
A software systems engineer is responsible for designing and creating software systems applications and programs according to clients' specifications or business' needs. They work to improve the features of existing applications to boost efficiency and optimal performance. Software systems engineers manage systems configuration and structural development to develop high-quality outputs and deliverables. They also run multiple diagnostic tests to ensure smooth navigations and server transitions and identify efficient technical solutions. A software systems engineer assists the end-users with application issues, performing troubleshooting operations, and creating resolution reports for reference.
Senior software application engineers and software systems engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Software Application Engineer | Software Systems Engineer | |
| Average salary | $117,345 | $107,102 |
| Salary range | Between $89,000 And $153,000 | Between $80,000 And $142,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Start-up |
There are a few differences between a senior software application engineer and a software systems engineer in terms of educational background:
| Senior Software Application Engineer | Software Systems Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between senior software application engineers' and software systems engineers' demographics:
| Senior Software Application Engineer | Software Systems Engineer | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 81.7% Female, 18.3% | Male, 81.1% Female, 18.9% |
| 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, 4.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.3% Asian, 29.8% White, 52.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |