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The differences between software quality analysts and senior test 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 quality analyst and a senior test engineer. Additionally, a senior test engineer has an average salary of $82,775, which is higher than the $76,173 average annual salary of a software quality analyst.
The top three skills for a software quality analyst include regression, QA and sql server. The most important skills for a senior test engineer are test cases, python, and java.
| Software Quality Analyst | Senior Test Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $76,173 | $82,775 |
| Hourly rate | $36.62 | $39.80 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 146,751 | 245,814 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A software quality analyst troubleshoots bugs for a software application. They are responsible for certifying the quality of applications and software. They also evaluate functional problems through regression testing, and they create test strategies based on project requirements. They interact with developers, project managers, customers, and stakeholders.
A senior test engineer is an individual who is responsible for developing and implementing cost-effective methods of testing and troubleshooting computer systems and equipment. Senior test engineers must assist junior engineers in developing test plans and conducting testing activities on complex systems to meet program requirements. They aid in the areas of predictability, manufacturing processing, and improvement in the equipment and process. Senior test engineers must also develop proposal inputs and reviews documents generated by junior engineers.
Software quality analysts and senior test engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Software Quality Analyst | Senior Test Engineer | |
| Average salary | $76,173 | $82,775 |
| Salary range | Between $59,000 And $97,000 | Between $63,000 And $107,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Palo Alto, CA |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | California |
| Best paying company | Genentech | |
| Best paying industry | Non Profits | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a software quality analyst and a senior test engineer in terms of educational background:
| Software Quality Analyst | Senior Test Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between software quality analysts' and senior test engineers' demographics:
| Software Quality Analyst | Senior Test Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 52.0% Female, 48.0% | Male, 79.1% Female, 20.9% |
| 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, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |