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The differences between senior software engineers and lead engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a senior software engineer, becoming a lead engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a senior software engineer has an average salary of $114,494, which is higher than the $84,927 average annual salary of a lead engineer.
The top three skills for a senior software engineer include java, python and javascript. The most important skills for a lead engineer are java, python, and architecture.
| Senior Software Engineer | Lead Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $114,494 | $84,927 |
| Hourly rate | $55.05 | $40.83 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 338,989 | 301,777 |
| Job satisfaction | 3 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 39 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
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.
A lead engineer's duties vary on their line of work or industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities will revolve around overseeing the progress of operations and performance of the workforce, ensuring that everything is running smoothly. They are also responsible for addressing issues and concerns, assessing risks, monitoring the budget, coordinating with clients and architects, and even training workers. Furthermore, as a lead engineer, it is crucial to conduct regular inspections to ensure the quality of work and maintain a safe environment for all workers.
Senior software engineers and lead engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Software Engineer | Lead Engineer | |
| Average salary | $114,494 | $84,927 |
| Salary range | Between $86,000 And $151,000 | Between $60,000 And $120,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | The Citadel | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a senior software engineer and a lead engineer in terms of educational background:
| Senior Software Engineer | Lead Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between senior software engineers' and lead engineers' demographics:
| Senior Software Engineer | Lead Engineer | |
| Average age | 39 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 81.4% Female, 18.6% | Male, 90.8% Female, 9.2% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 16.8% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 5% |