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The differences between senior test development engineers and senior software engineers lead 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 engineer lead takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a senior software engineer lead has an average salary of $129,060, 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 engineer lead are java, architecture, and software development.
| Senior Test Development Engineer | Senior Software Engineer Lead | |
| Yearly salary | $98,139 | $129,060 |
| Hourly rate | $47.18 | $62.05 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 118,290 | 322,973 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 45 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
Senior test development engineers and senior software engineers lead have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Test Development Engineer | Senior Software Engineer Lead | |
| Average salary | $98,139 | $129,060 |
| Salary range | Between $75,000 And $128,000 | Between $96,000 And $173,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Palo Alto Networks | PitchBook Data |
| Best paying industry | Telecommunication | Finance |
There are a few differences between a senior test development engineer and a senior software engineer lead in terms of educational background:
| Senior Test Development Engineer | Senior Software Engineer Lead | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| 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 engineers lead' demographics:
| Senior Test Development Engineer | Senior Software Engineer Lead | |
| Average age | 45 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.8% Female, 7.2% | Male, 79.0% Female, 21.0% |
| 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, 4.5% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 33.4% White, 48.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 8% |