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The differences between senior test development engineers and senior software development engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a senior test development engineer, becoming a senior software development engineer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a senior software development engineer has an average salary of $116,926, which is higher than the $98,139 average annual salary of a senior test development engineer.
The top three skills for a senior test development engineer include C++, RF and test equipment. The most important skills for a senior software development engineer are java, software development, and python.
| Senior Test Development Engineer | Senior Software Development Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $98,139 | $116,926 |
| Hourly rate | $47.18 | $56.21 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 118,290 | 346,833 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 45 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
Senior test development engineers and senior software development engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Test Development Engineer | Senior Software Development Engineer | |
| Average salary | $98,139 | $116,926 |
| Salary range | Between $75,000 And $128,000 | Between $87,000 And $156,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Palo Alto Networks | Roku |
| Best paying industry | Telecommunication | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a senior test development engineer and a senior software development engineer in terms of educational background:
| Senior Test Development Engineer | Senior Software Development Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between senior test development engineers' and senior software development engineers' demographics:
| Senior Test Development Engineer | Senior Software Development Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.8% Female, 7.2% | Male, 83.9% Female, 16.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.1% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 25.3% White, 56.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.0% Asian, 30.6% White, 52.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 8% |