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The differences between senior software engineers and senior 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 senior engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a senior software engineer has an average salary of $114,494, which is higher than the $108,743 average annual salary of a senior engineer.
The top three skills for a senior software engineer include java, python and javascript. The most important skills for a senior engineer are java, python, and architecture.
| Senior Software Engineer | Senior Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $114,494 | $108,743 |
| Hourly rate | $55.05 | $52.28 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 338,989 | 343,200 |
| Job satisfaction | 3 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| 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 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.
Senior software engineers and senior engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Software Engineer | Senior Engineer | |
| Average salary | $114,494 | $108,743 |
| Salary range | Between $86,000 And $151,000 | Between $82,000 And $144,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Mateo, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | The Citadel | Roku |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Start-up |
There are a few differences between a senior software engineer and a senior engineer in terms of educational background:
| Senior Software Engineer | Senior Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between senior software engineers' and senior engineers' demographics:
| Senior Software Engineer | Senior Engineer | |
| Average age | 39 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 81.4% Female, 18.6% | Male, 89.1% Female, 10.9% |
| 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, 7.9% Asian, 17.1% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 5% |