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The differences between software designers and 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 software engineer. Additionally, a software designer has an average salary of $107,449, which is higher than the $100,260 average annual salary of a software engineer.
The top three skills for a software designer include python, java and software development. The most important skills for a software engineer are java, python, and software development.
| Software Designer | Software Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $107,449 | $100,260 |
| Hourly rate | $51.66 | $48.20 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 313,443 | 339,938 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3.5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| 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 software engineer is a computer science professional who is responsible for the development of information systems, designing and building computer systems software and applications software. They often prefer to call themselves as a software developer or computer programmer. They have substantial knowledge of programming languages, software development, and computer operating systems, and other technologies. They use these to turn a plan into a final output. They can create a design, test, and develop software based on the needs of their clients.
Software designers and software engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Software Designer | Software Engineer | |
| Average salary | $107,449 | $100,260 |
| Salary range | Between $80,000 And $144,000 | Between $73,000 And $136,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Bruno, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Globant | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Start-up |
There are a few differences between a software designer and a software engineer in terms of educational background:
| Software Designer | Software Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between software designers' and software engineers' demographics:
| Software Designer | Software Engineer | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 80.0% Female, 20.0% | Male, 78.0% Female, 22.0% |
| 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, 34.0% White, 48.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |