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The differences between software leaders 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 leader and a software engineering manager. Additionally, a software engineering manager has an average salary of $140,929, which is higher than the $124,694 average annual salary of a software leader.
The top three skills for a software leader include java, python and cloud. The most important skills for a software engineering manager are java, software development, and software engineering.
| Software Leader | Software Engineering Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $124,694 | $140,929 |
| Hourly rate | $59.95 | $67.75 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 267,920 | 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 Leader takes responsibility for the execution of his/her /her team and the quality of the team's performance. Software Leaders ensure the cadence of their team's production process. As coaches, leaders mentor and teach the people within the team. They extend help when their team needs it to remove any possible hindrance. Also, they serve as team ambassadors or representatives.
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 leaders and software engineering managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Software Leader | Software Engineering Manager | |
| Average salary | $124,694 | $140,929 |
| Salary range | Between $93,000 And $166,000 | Between $100,000 And $198,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Meta | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Technology |
There are a few differences between a software leader and a software engineering manager in terms of educational background:
| Software Leader | Software Engineering Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between software leaders' and software engineering managers' demographics:
| Software Leader | Software Engineering Manager | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.2% Female, 16.8% | 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, 52.4% 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% |