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The differences between software support engineers and software 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 support engineer and a software test engineer. Additionally, a software support engineer has an average salary of $87,968, which is higher than the $85,338 average annual salary of a software test engineer.
The top three skills for a software support engineer include java, software support and customer service. The most important skills for a software test engineer are python, java, and test automation.
| Software Support Engineer | Software Test Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $87,968 | $85,338 |
| Hourly rate | $42.29 | $41.03 |
| Growth rate | 21% | - |
| Number of jobs | 364,072 | 243,382 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 39 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Working closely with a company's software development team, a software support engineer specializes in handling complex software issues and providing technical assistance to customers. Among their responsibilities include answering calls and correspondence, addressing problems and concerns, troubleshooting, providing step by step solutions, and referring clients to other services when necessary. Moreover, a software support engineer may also take part in software development procedures by creating test structures, identifying and eliminating bugs to ensure the quality and efficiency of software and applications.
Software engineers are responsible for coordinating the process of analyzing computer software programs. This process requires creating and implementing testing methods, documenting the test results, and providing recommendations for software improvements. They are also responsible for other tasks, including writing software testing procedures and creating testing scripts using different programming languages. A software engineer also collaborates with software developers and other staff members from the start and completion of a particular project. Having a bachelor's degree in software engineering, computer science, or information technology is needed to become a software engineer.
Software support engineers and software test engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Software Support Engineer | Software Test Engineer | |
| Average salary | $87,968 | $85,338 |
| Salary range | Between $67,000 And $114,000 | Between $63,000 And $115,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Mateo, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a software support engineer and a software test engineer in terms of educational background:
| Software Support Engineer | Software Test Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between software support engineers' and software test engineers' demographics:
| Software Support Engineer | Software Test Engineer | |
| Average age | 39 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 80.5% Female, 19.5% | Male, 68.6% Female, 31.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 30.0% White, 52.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | 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 | 8% | 11% |