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The differences between software engineers lead and software engineering managers 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 lead and a software engineering manager. Additionally, a software engineering manager has an average salary of $140,929, which is higher than the $125,565 average annual salary of a software engineer lead.
The top three skills for a software engineer lead include java, python and software development. The most important skills for a software engineering manager are java, software development, and software engineering.
| Software Engineer Lead | Software Engineering Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $125,565 | $140,929 |
| Hourly rate | $60.37 | $67.75 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 342,462 | 262,296 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A Software Engineer Lead is focused on developing and testing software programs. They manage a team of software engineers that design enterprise software products and operating systems.
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 engineers lead and software engineering managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Software Engineer Lead | Software Engineering Manager | |
| Average salary | $125,565 | $140,929 |
| Salary range | Between $93,000 And $168,000 | Between $100,000 And $198,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | Meta | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Technology |
There are a few differences between a software engineer lead and a software engineering manager in terms of educational background:
| Software Engineer Lead | Software Engineering Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between software engineers lead' and software engineering managers' demographics:
| Software Engineer Lead | Software Engineering Manager | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.7% Female, 13.3% | Male, 86.0% Female, 14.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.5% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.3% Asian, 29.9% White, 52.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | 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 | 8% | 8% |