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The differences between software applications engineers and principal software 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 software applications engineer and a principal software engineer. Additionally, a principal software engineer has an average salary of $134,230, which is higher than the $104,885 average annual salary of a software applications engineer.
The top three skills for a software applications engineer include java, python and software development. The most important skills for a principal software engineer are java, python, and software development.
| Software Applications Engineer | Principal Software Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $104,885 | $134,230 |
| Hourly rate | $50.43 | $64.53 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 325,329 | 345,893 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A software application engineer specializes in designing and developing software, ensuring quality and efficiency. Their responsibilities typically revolve around meeting with clients to discuss their needs and preferences, coordinating with different engineers and specialists, installing and repairing systems, devising tests and execution structures, and conducting maintenance checks to ensure optimal performance. They may also improve existing software and provide customers with regular technical support. Furthermore, in a company setting, a software application engineer may have the task of producing progress reports, maintaining databases, and devising training programs for employees.
A Principal Software Engineer is responsible for the technical aspects of an organization's projects. They diagnose, document, and troubleshoot systems to resolve problems identified through testing, as well as implement strategies to improve integration and efficiency.
Software applications engineers and principal software engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Software Applications Engineer | Principal Software Engineer | |
| Average salary | $104,885 | $134,230 |
| Salary range | Between $77,000 And $141,000 | Between $98,000 And $182,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | California | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | The Citadel | |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Retail |
There are a few differences between a software applications engineer and a principal software engineer in terms of educational background:
| Software Applications Engineer | Principal Software Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Harvard University | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between software applications engineers' and principal software engineers' demographics:
| Software Applications Engineer | Principal Software Engineer | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 79.8% Female, 20.2% | Male, 87.5% Female, 12.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 29.7% White, 52.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 29.9% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |