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The differences between software automation engineers and software developers 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 automation engineer and a software developer. Additionally, a software automation engineer has an average salary of $102,812, which is higher than the $87,521 average annual salary of a software developer.
The top three skills for a software automation engineer include python, java and C #. The most important skills for a software developer are java, python, and C++.
| Software Automation Engineer | Software Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $102,812 | $87,521 |
| Hourly rate | $49.43 | $42.08 |
| Growth rate | - | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 229,709 | 294,329 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 44 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A software automation engineer specializes in designing and developing software and systems. In a company setting, it is their duty to identify the strengths and weaknesses of current systems and devices, conceptualize plans according to the company's needs, develop prototypes and test structures, and implement solutions against problem areas. They must also coordinate with software teams, provide technical support, and maintain extensive records. Furthermore, as a software automation engineer, it is essential to conduct regular maintenance checks, perform repairs and upgrades as needed.
A software developer is responsible for designing application systems to support the user and business' needs. Duties of a software developer include testing software codes, performing diagnostic programs and troubleshooting, interpreting system data and establishing efficient parameters, and ensuring the compatibility of the systems. A software developer must have an excellent knowledge of computer programs and programming languages to understand its complexities, especially on detecting system defects and malfunctions. A software developer must have strong attention to detail, communication, and decision-making skills to coordinate with the team and also work independently under minimal supervision.
Software automation engineers and software developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Software Automation Engineer | Software Developer | |
| Average salary | $102,812 | $87,521 |
| Salary range | Between $76,000 And $138,000 | Between $67,000 And $113,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Netflix | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Finance |
There are a few differences between a software automation engineer and a software developer in terms of educational background:
| Software Automation Engineer | Software Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between software automation engineers' and software developers' demographics:
| Software Automation Engineer | Software Developer | |
| Average age | 44 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 78.1% Female, 21.9% | Male, 79.3% Female, 20.7% |
| 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, 4.5% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 29.9% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 8% |