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The differences between software designers and computer 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 designer and a computer software engineer. Additionally, a software designer has an average salary of $107,449, which is higher than the $102,511 average annual salary of a computer software engineer.
The top three skills for a software designer include python, java and software development. The most important skills for a computer software engineer are python, software development, and java.
| Software Designer | Computer Software Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $107,449 | $102,511 |
| Hourly rate | $51.66 | $49.28 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 313,443 | 326,143 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Software designers transform customers' requirements into services. They analyze customers' needs, conduct negotiations, and create designs based on that data. They typically work with teams of programmers. They are also responsible for creating project documentation.
A computer software engineer designs, develops, and maintains computer systems and software using their knowledge of computer programming languages, engineering principles, and computer operating systems. As a computer software engineer, your duties will vary depending on your specialization but typically include reviewing and analyzing the client's needs and requirements, designing, developing, and testing the software application to ensure those needs are met, and creating algorithms to instruct the computer what to do. You are also expected to provide software upgrades recommendations for existing applications or systems.
Software designers and computer software engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Software Designer | Computer Software Engineer | |
| Average salary | $107,449 | $102,511 |
| Salary range | Between $80,000 And $144,000 | Between $77,000 And $134,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Globant | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Finance |
There are a few differences between a software designer and a computer software engineer in terms of educational background:
| Software Designer | Computer Software Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between software designers' and computer software engineers' demographics:
| Software Designer | Computer Software Engineer | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 80.0% Female, 20.0% | Male, 80.5% Female, 19.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.6% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 29.8% White, 52.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 30.0% White, 52.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |