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The differences between software engineers-consultant and senior systems 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 engineer-consultant and a senior systems software engineer. Additionally, a senior systems software engineer has an average salary of $122,275, which is higher than the $113,987 average annual salary of a software engineer-consultant.
The top three skills for a software engineer-consultant include java, python and architecture. The most important skills for a senior systems software engineer are python, java, and software development.
| Software Engineer-Consultant | Senior Systems Software Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $113,987 | $122,275 |
| Hourly rate | $54.80 | $58.79 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 317,033 | 359,248 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A software engineer consultant develops and recommends strategies to optimize a company's software engineering operations. Their responsibilities revolve around conducting extensive research and analysis to find new opportunities, performing software evaluations and risk assessments, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of existing processes, and developing solutions against problem areas. Through the findings of their research, a software engineer consultant draws conclusions and recommendations that will help the company to reach their short and long-term goals and resolve issues or concerns.
A senior systems software engineer is an individual responsible for managing a firm's computer network systems. The professional's roles include resolving complex application and network issues through the development of new solutions, overseeing systems developers and other information technology (IT) personnel, and integrating new technology. The job requires proficiency in the MySQL, Python, and Linux programming languages and excellent skills in organizational and time management and communication. The education requirements for the job include a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer science, or a related field.
Software engineers-consultant and senior systems software engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Software Engineer-Consultant | Senior Systems Software Engineer | |
| Average salary | $113,987 | $122,275 |
| Salary range | Between $85,000 And $152,000 | Between $91,000 And $163,000 |
| Highest paying City | Foster City, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Oregon |
| Best paying company | Advent Software | Netflix |
| Best paying industry | Insurance | Technology |
There are a few differences between a software engineer-consultant and a senior systems software engineer in terms of educational background:
| Software Engineer-Consultant | Senior Systems Software Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Harvard University | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between software engineers-consultant' and senior systems software engineers' demographics:
| Software Engineer-Consultant | Senior Systems Software Engineer | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.1% Female, 13.9% | Male, 85.5% Female, 14.5% |
| 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, 4.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.3% Asian, 29.8% White, 52.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |