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The differences between software applications engineers and senior software development 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 senior software development engineer. Additionally, a senior software development engineer has an average salary of $116,926, 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 senior software development engineer are java, software development, and python.
| Software Applications Engineer | Senior Software Development Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $104,885 | $116,926 |
| Hourly rate | $50.43 | $56.21 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 325,329 | 346,833 |
| 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 senior software development engineer specializes in leading the efforts in designing and developing software and information systems, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities typically revolve around installing and repairing existing computer systems, conducting regular maintenance checks, troubleshooting, testing new designs, and performing research and analysis to identify the strengths and weaknesses of operations, improving them to achieve optimal performance. Furthermore, as a senior software development engineer, it is essential to monitor and encourage the team, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Software applications engineers and senior software development engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Software Applications Engineer | Senior Software Development Engineer | |
| Average salary | $104,885 | $116,926 |
| Salary range | Between $77,000 And $141,000 | Between $87,000 And $156,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | The Citadel | Roku |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a software applications engineer and a senior software development engineer in terms of educational background:
| Software Applications Engineer | Senior Software Development Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between software applications engineers' and senior software development engineers' demographics:
| Software Applications Engineer | Senior Software Development Engineer | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 79.8% Female, 20.2% | Male, 83.9% Female, 16.1% |
| 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, 4.3% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.0% Asian, 30.6% White, 52.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |