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The differences between software engineering specialists and engineering specialist technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a software engineering specialist, becoming an engineering specialist technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a software engineering specialist has an average salary of $104,819, which is higher than the $89,631 average annual salary of an engineering specialist technician.
The top three skills for a software engineering specialist include java, software development and python. The most important skills for an engineering specialist technician are troubleshoot, project management, and powerpoint.
| Software Engineering Specialist | Engineering Specialist Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $104,819 | $89,631 |
| Hourly rate | $50.39 | $43.09 |
| Growth rate | 21% | - |
| Number of jobs | 260,865 | 74,148 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 55% |
| Average age | 39 | 50 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 12 |
A software engineering specialist designs and develops software engineering components. Moreover, they evaluate technical architecture and framework. They conduct tests on software and carry out any updates that are needed. Strong teamwork and communication skills are necessary for this position.
Engineering specialist technicians draw up equipment and product blueprints and plans. They design and build planned equipment/product prototypes and analyze product/system performance. Besides creating daily laboratory activity reports and ordering and replacing equipment parts, engineering specialist technicians also help software design and write computer programs. These professionals address and resolve product glitches and problems and conduct regular product/equipment maintenance. Moreover, engineering specialist technicians inspect product designs for issues/problems and suggest the right ways to enhance products/equipment.
Software engineering specialists and engineering specialist technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Software Engineering Specialist | Engineering Specialist Technician | |
| Average salary | $104,819 | $89,631 |
| Salary range | Between $82,000 And $133,000 | Between $64,000 And $124,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Newark, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner |
| Best paying industry | Media | Technology |
There are a few differences between a software engineering specialist and an engineering specialist technician in terms of educational background:
| Software Engineering Specialist | Engineering Specialist Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 55% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between software engineering specialists' and engineering specialist technicians' demographics:
| Software Engineering Specialist | Engineering Specialist Technician | |
| Average age | 39 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 78.5% Female, 21.5% | Male, 83.7% Female, 16.3% |
| 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, 6.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 8.0% White, 70.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |