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The differences between senior test engineers and system test 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 engineer and a system test engineer. Additionally, a system test engineer has an average salary of $100,751, 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 system test engineer are python, test procedures, and C++.
| Senior Test Engineer | System Test Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $82,775 | $100,751 |
| Hourly rate | $39.80 | $48.44 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 245,814 | 131,653 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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 system test engineer is responsible for performing diagnostic tests on computer systems and applications, measuring its performance and efficiency, and recommending technical solutions as needed. System test engineers assist in system configuration and network infrastructure, ensuring that the deliverables meet the business requirements and project specifications. They should have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, as well as a strong command of programming languages, to automate scripts for quality check methodologies. A system test engineer coordinates with the technology team in improving the user interface, including navigation and server stability.
Senior test engineers and system test engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Test Engineer | System Test Engineer | |
| Average salary | $82,775 | $100,751 |
| Salary range | Between $63,000 And $107,000 | Between $76,000 And $132,000 |
| Highest paying City | Palo Alto, CA | Petaluma, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Nevada |
| Best paying company | Meta | |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Professional |
There are a few differences between a senior test engineer and a system test engineer in terms of educational background:
| Senior Test Engineer | System Test 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 | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between senior test engineers' and system test engineers' demographics:
| Senior Test Engineer | System Test Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 79.1% Female, 20.9% | Male, 80.3% Female, 19.7% |
| 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, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |