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The differences between senior software engineers and software test 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 engineer and a software test engineer. Additionally, a senior software engineer has an average salary of $114,494, which is higher than the $85,338 average annual salary of a software test engineer.
The top three skills for a senior software engineer include java, python and javascript. The most important skills for a software test engineer are python, java, and test automation.
| Senior Software Engineer | Software Test Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $114,494 | $85,338 |
| Hourly rate | $55.05 | $41.03 |
| Growth rate | 21% | - |
| Number of jobs | 338,989 | 243,382 |
| Job satisfaction | 3 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 39 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
Software engineers are responsible for coordinating the process of analyzing computer software programs. This process requires creating and implementing testing methods, documenting the test results, and providing recommendations for software improvements. They are also responsible for other tasks, including writing software testing procedures and creating testing scripts using different programming languages. A software engineer also collaborates with software developers and other staff members from the start and completion of a particular project. Having a bachelor's degree in software engineering, computer science, or information technology is needed to become a software engineer.
Senior software engineers and software test engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Software Engineer | Software Test Engineer | |
| Average salary | $114,494 | $85,338 |
| Salary range | Between $86,000 And $151,000 | Between $63,000 And $115,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Mateo, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | The Citadel | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a senior software engineer and a software test engineer in terms of educational background:
| Senior Software Engineer | Software Test Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between senior software engineers' and software test engineers' demographics:
| Senior Software Engineer | Software Test Engineer | |
| Average age | 39 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 81.4% Female, 18.6% | Male, 68.6% Female, 31.4% |
| 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, 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 | 8% | 11% |