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The differences between software applications engineers and software quality 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 software quality engineer. Additionally, a software applications engineer has an average salary of $104,885, which is higher than the $99,902 average annual salary of a software quality engineer.
The top three skills for a software applications engineer include java, python and software development. The most important skills for a software quality engineer are software quality, java, and python.
| Software Applications Engineer | Software Quality Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $104,885 | $99,902 |
| Hourly rate | $50.43 | $48.03 |
| Growth rate | 21% | - |
| Number of jobs | 325,329 | 279,437 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 39 | 44 |
| 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 Software Quality Engineer ensures that the software of a company meets all quality standards. They are responsible for software development, inspection, implementation, testing, and verification.
Software applications engineers and software quality engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Software Applications Engineer | Software Quality Engineer | |
| Average salary | $104,885 | $99,902 |
| Salary range | Between $77,000 And $141,000 | Between $73,000 And $136,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | The Citadel | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a software applications engineer and a software quality engineer in terms of educational background:
| Software Applications Engineer | Software Quality Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between software applications engineers' and software quality engineers' demographics:
| Software Applications Engineer | Software Quality Engineer | |
| Average age | 39 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 79.8% Female, 20.2% | Male, 67.3% Female, 32.7% |
| 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, 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 | 8% | 11% |