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The differences between senior software engineer managers and senior applications 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 manager, becoming a senior applications engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a senior software engineer manager has an average salary of $147,474, which is higher than the $107,989 average annual salary of a senior applications engineer.
The top three skills for a senior software engineer manager include java, emerging technologies and software development. The most important skills for a senior applications engineer are java, C++, and database.
| Senior Software Engineer Manager | Senior Applications Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $147,474 | $107,989 |
| Hourly rate | $70.90 | $51.92 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 299,566 | 274,466 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 39 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
A Senior Software Engineer Manager oversees software development and helps manage the team to accomplish milestones on a specific project. The Senior Software Engineer Manager's task is to guide, instruct, and junior train developers and ensure efficiency and quality. The senior developer also checks every detail of the software, order adjustments in problematic areas of the program, and does troubleshooting during finalization. The Senior Developer is the primary contact person in the software development team and advises the company on the proper path to take when planning a new software.
A senior applications engineer specializes in designing and developing a variety of applications and systems, ensuring quality and efficiency. Their responsibilities typically revolve around utilizing feedback and client needs when making decisions, creating test structures for applications, performing installment and repairs, troubleshooting, and performing regular maintenance checks and upgrades. Furthermore, as a senior applications engineer, it is essential to lead and encourage the engineering team to reach goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Senior software engineer managers and senior applications engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Software Engineer Manager | Senior Applications Engineer | |
| Average salary | $147,474 | $107,989 |
| Salary range | Between $106,000 And $205,000 | Between $84,000 And $138,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Bruno, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Netflix | |
| Best paying industry | - | Insurance |
There are a few differences between a senior software engineer manager and a senior applications engineer in terms of educational background:
| Senior Software Engineer Manager | Senior Applications Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between senior software engineer managers' and senior applications engineers' demographics:
| Senior Software Engineer Manager | Senior Applications Engineer | |
| Average age | 39 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.1% Female, 13.9% | Male, 88.9% Female, 11.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 29.9% White, 52.5% 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, 67.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 5% |