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The differences between software development managers and software engineering managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a software development manager, becoming a software engineering manager takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a software engineering manager has an average salary of $140,929, which is higher than the $134,747 average annual salary of a software development manager.
The top three skills for a software development manager include java, AWS and architecture. The most important skills for a software engineering manager are java, software development, and software engineering.
| Software Development Manager | Software Engineering Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $134,747 | $140,929 |
| Hourly rate | $64.78 | $67.75 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 265,464 | 262,296 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 44 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
A software development manager is an individual who manages teams of software developers that design and create software applications and web services for clients. Software development managers should delegate duties and establish development standards for the development team as well as create a budget and timeline for the project. They must meet with management to discuss how software applications can achieve business objectives. Once the software has been developed, software development managers must train technical and non-technical end-users. They must also be skilled in different programming languages such as HTML, SQL, and JavaScript.
A software engineering manager oversees the team involved in computer and software development. Typically, it is their responsibility to design and create software applications in collaboration with fellow skilled engineers in the group. Their duties revolve around devising strategies and designs, producing progress reports, monitoring the documentation processes, preparing presentations, and assessing workforce performance. Furthermore, as a manager, it is essential to lead and encourage the engineering team to meet goals and standards while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Software development managers and software engineering managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Software Development Manager | Software Engineering Manager | |
| Average salary | $134,747 | $140,929 |
| Salary range | Between $100,000 And $180,000 | Between $100,000 And $198,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Washington |
| Best paying company | Meta | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a software development manager and a software engineering manager in terms of educational background:
| Software Development Manager | Software Engineering Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between software development managers' and software engineering managers' demographics:
| Software Development Manager | Software Engineering Manager | |
| Average age | 44 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 85.1% Female, 14.9% | Male, 86.0% Female, 14.0% |
| 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, 4.3% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.0% Asian, 30.0% White, 52.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 8% |