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Senior test analyst vs senior software engineer

The differences between senior test analysts and senior software 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 test analyst and a senior software engineer. Additionally, a senior software engineer has an average salary of $114,494, which is higher than the $79,186 average annual salary of a senior test analyst.

The top three skills for a senior test analyst include java, jira and regression. The most important skills for a senior software engineer are java, python, and javascript.

Senior test analyst vs senior software engineer overview

Senior Test AnalystSenior Software Engineer
Yearly salary$79,186$114,494
Hourly rate$38.07$55.05
Growth rate-21%
Number of jobs90,551338,989
Job satisfaction-3
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Average age4439
Years of experience44

What does a senior test analyst do?

A senior test analyst conducts tests and analyzes test results with the aim of ensuring their clients' requirements. They support information technology activities, including coordinating with the information technology team. They run test estimation models, create reports on the data they gather, and teach others to employ said data.

What does a senior software engineer do?

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.

Senior test analyst vs senior software engineer salary

Senior test analysts and senior software engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Senior Test AnalystSenior Software Engineer
Average salary$79,186$114,494
Salary rangeBetween $65,000 And $96,000Between $86,000 And $151,000
Highest paying CityJersey City, NJSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateMarylandCalifornia
Best paying companyCernerThe Citadel
Best paying industryFinanceRetail

Differences between senior test analyst and senior software engineer education

There are a few differences between a senior test analyst and a senior software engineer in terms of educational background:

Senior Test AnalystSenior Software Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Most common majorComputer ScienceComputer Science
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Senior test analyst vs senior software engineer demographics

Here are the differences between senior test analysts' and senior software engineers' demographics:

Senior Test AnalystSenior Software Engineer
Average age4439
Gender ratioMale, 57.7% Female, 42.3%Male, 81.4% Female, 18.6%
Race ratioBlack 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%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%
LGBT Percentage11%8%

Differences between senior test analyst and senior software engineer duties and responsibilities

Senior test analyst example responsibilities.

  • Coordinate regression testing with external applications from outside the program and manage test environments for different technologies.
  • Coordinate regression and user acceptance testing efforts including the determination of test scenarios and environments.
  • Test reports available for the audit of option changes done via java front end application.
  • Employ agile methodologies and follow the scrum framework, to ensure rapid iterative software development.
  • Interface with the business and developers, facilitate SDLC process and procedures, perform status reporting.
  • Utilize DevBlocks JIRA a development technology tool used for issue tracking, defect tracking and project management.
  • Show more

Senior software engineer example responsibilities.

  • Work with Microsoft TFS to manage work items and source control.
  • Lead team in development of a custom reservoir simulation data mining and visualization tool.
  • Used and written maven scripts to manage dependencies and to build and deploy the application locally and in DEV environments.
  • Develop Unix scripts for cross cap system integration system, enhance the existing Unix scripts to achieve better performance and throughput.
  • Configure and manage Debian Linux kernel security and networking components.
  • Collaborate with project manager in tracking and managing project development process following SDLC and RBPM methodologies.
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Senior test analyst vs senior software engineer skills

Common senior test analyst skills
  • Java, 8%
  • Jira, 4%
  • Regression, 4%
  • QA, 4%
  • Test Data, 4%
  • Manual Test Cases, 4%
Common senior software engineer skills
  • Java, 13%
  • Python, 6%
  • JavaScript, 5%
  • Architecture, 5%
  • Database, 4%
  • GIT, 3%

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