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The differences between senior test engineers and senior applications engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a senior test engineer, becoming a senior applications engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a senior applications engineer has an average salary of $107,989, which is higher than the $82,775 average annual salary of a senior test engineer.
The top three skills for a senior test engineer include test cases, python and java. The most important skills for a senior applications engineer are java, C++, and database.
| Senior Test Engineer | Senior Applications Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $82,775 | $107,989 |
| Hourly rate | $39.80 | $51.92 |
| Growth rate | - | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 245,814 | 274,466 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 44 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
A senior test engineer is an individual who is responsible for developing and implementing cost-effective methods of testing and troubleshooting computer systems and equipment. Senior test engineers must assist junior engineers in developing test plans and conducting testing activities on complex systems to meet program requirements. They aid in the areas of predictability, manufacturing processing, and improvement in the equipment and process. Senior test engineers must also develop proposal inputs and reviews documents generated by junior engineers.
A senior applications engineer specializes in designing and developing a variety of applications and systems, ensuring quality and efficiency. Their responsibilities typically revolve around utilizing feedback and client needs when making decisions, creating test structures for applications, performing installment and repairs, troubleshooting, and performing regular maintenance checks and upgrades. Furthermore, as a senior applications engineer, it is essential to lead and encourage the engineering team to reach goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Senior test engineers and senior applications engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Test Engineer | Senior Applications Engineer | |
| Average salary | $82,775 | $107,989 |
| Salary range | Between $63,000 And $107,000 | Between $84,000 And $138,000 |
| Highest paying City | Palo Alto, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Netflix | |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Insurance |
There are a few differences between a senior test engineer and a senior applications engineer in terms of educational background:
| Senior Test Engineer | Senior Applications Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between senior test engineers' and senior applications engineers' demographics:
| Senior Test Engineer | Senior Applications Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 79.1% Female, 20.9% | Male, 88.9% Female, 11.1% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 17.1% White, 67.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 5% |