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The differences between senior stack engineers and application engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a senior stack engineer, becoming an application engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a senior stack engineer has an average salary of $122,731, which is higher than the $92,921 average annual salary of an application engineer.
The top three skills for a senior stack engineer include java, javascript and python. The most important skills for an application engineer are technical support, java, and C++.
| Senior Stack Engineer | Application Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $122,731 | $92,921 |
| Hourly rate | $59.01 | $44.67 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 97,166 | 111,338 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 41 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 6 |
A senior stack engineer is responsible for creating and designing servers and managing user interface on web applications. Senior stack engineers develop interactive functionalities and features for the database to support the business operation processes. They also modify existing web systems, upgrade network infrastructure, and set up configurations. A senior stack engineer must have excellent technical and computer skills to ensure smooth navigation for servers, as well as a strong command of programming languages to write and test codes.
An application engineer is responsible for creating and re-designing system applications based on clients' specifications and sales demands. Application engineers run diagnostic tests on software programs, identify areas of improvement, install necessary updates, upgrade optimization, revise system codes, and provide technical support for customers' needs. They also generate ideas and locate other business opportunities by analyzing current trends in the technology market that would help build revenues and increase profitability for the company. An application engineer must have a strong command of programming languages, software application processes, and general technology disciplines.
Senior stack engineers and application engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Stack Engineer | Application Engineer | |
| Average salary | $122,731 | $92,921 |
| Salary range | Between $91,000 And $164,000 | Between $69,000 And $125,000 |
| Highest paying City | Richmond, CA | Redwood City, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Morgan Lewis |
| Best paying industry | Internet | Technology |
There are a few differences between a senior stack engineer and an application engineer in terms of educational background:
| Senior Stack Engineer | Application Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Georgia Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between senior stack engineers' and application engineers' demographics:
| Senior Stack Engineer | Application Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.9% Female, 16.1% | Male, 87.4% Female, 12.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 16.9% White, 67.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 1.4% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 6.7% Asian, 11.5% White, 74.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 7% |