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The differences between senior software managers and software engineering managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-8 years to become a senior software manager, becoming a software engineering manager takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a senior software manager has an average salary of $145,610, which is higher than the $140,929 average annual salary of a software engineering manager.
The top three skills for a senior software manager include software development, java and cycle management. The most important skills for a software engineering manager are java, software development, and software engineering.
| Senior Software Manager | Software Engineering Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $145,610 | $140,929 |
| Hourly rate | $70.00 | $67.75 |
| Growth rate | 16% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 139,282 | 262,296 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 47 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 4 |
A senior software manager leads a testing team. They are responsible for counseling junior staff, managing resources, conducting software testing, and ensuring quality standards are met. This position requires someone who is resourceful and dynamic. They must also hold an advanced degree.
A software engineering manager oversees the team involved in computer and software development. Typically, it is their responsibility to design and create software applications in collaboration with fellow skilled engineers in the group. Their duties revolve around devising strategies and designs, producing progress reports, monitoring the documentation processes, preparing presentations, and assessing workforce performance. Furthermore, as a manager, it is essential to lead and encourage the engineering team to meet goals and standards while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Senior software managers and software engineering managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Software Manager | Software Engineering Manager | |
| Average salary | $145,610 | $140,929 |
| Salary range | Between $107,000 And $197,000 | Between $100,000 And $198,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | eBay | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Technology |
There are a few differences between a senior software manager and a software engineering manager in terms of educational background:
| Senior Software Manager | Software Engineering Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Carnegie Mellon University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between senior software managers' and software engineering managers' demographics:
| Senior Software Manager | Software Engineering Manager | |
| Average age | 47 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 79.5% Female, 20.5% | Male, 86.0% Female, 14.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 8.6% Asian, 20.4% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.0% Asian, 30.0% White, 52.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 8% |