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The differences between shift engineers and software engineering managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a shift engineer, becoming a software engineering manager takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a software engineering manager has an average salary of $140,929, which is higher than the $91,237 average annual salary of a shift engineer.
The top three skills for a shift engineer include HVAC, preventive maintenance and plumbing. The most important skills for a software engineering manager are java, software development, and software engineering.
| Shift Engineer | Software Engineering Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $91,237 | $140,929 |
| Hourly rate | $43.86 | $67.75 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 31,693 | 262,296 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 50 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
A shift engineer conducts maintenance operations and ensures a company's engineering policies are upheld. They supervise a team, perform preventative maintenance, take orders, keep records, and control inventory. This position requires good communication skills, time management skills, and previous experience in the field.
A software engineering manager oversees the team involved in computer and software development. Typically, it is their responsibility to design and create software applications in collaboration with fellow skilled engineers in the group. Their duties revolve around devising strategies and designs, producing progress reports, monitoring the documentation processes, preparing presentations, and assessing workforce performance. Furthermore, as a manager, it is essential to lead and encourage the engineering team to meet goals and standards while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Shift engineers and software engineering managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Shift Engineer | Software Engineering Manager | |
| Average salary | $91,237 | $140,929 |
| Salary range | Between $64,000 And $128,000 | Between $100,000 And $198,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Bristol-Myers Squibb | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a shift engineer and a software engineering manager in terms of educational background:
| Shift Engineer | Software Engineering Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Computer Science |
| Most common college | - | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between shift engineers' and software engineering managers' demographics:
| Shift Engineer | Software Engineering Manager | |
| Average age | 50 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.5% Female, 4.5% | Male, 86.0% Female, 14.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 7.6% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.0% Asian, 30.0% White, 52.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 8% |