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The differences between software support managers and software engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-8 years to become a software support manager, becoming a software engineer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a software support manager has an average salary of $104,045, which is higher than the $100,260 average annual salary of a software engineer.
The top three skills for a software support manager include software support, software development and technical support. The most important skills for a software engineer are java, python, and software development.
| Software Support Manager | Software Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $104,045 | $100,260 |
| Hourly rate | $50.02 | $48.20 |
| Growth rate | 16% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 113,869 | 339,938 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3.5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Average age | 47 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 4 |
A software support manager updates software, oversees a team, and ensures risk assessment activities are completed. They also create progress reports and manage documentation for their team. Ultimately, they manage, install, restore and debug software.
A software engineer is a computer science professional who is responsible for the development of information systems, designing and building computer systems software and applications software. They often prefer to call themselves as a software developer or computer programmer. They have substantial knowledge of programming languages, software development, and computer operating systems, and other technologies. They use these to turn a plan into a final output. They can create a design, test, and develop software based on the needs of their clients.
Software support managers and software engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Software Support Manager | Software Engineer | |
| Average salary | $104,045 | $100,260 |
| Salary range | Between $76,000 And $141,000 | Between $73,000 And $136,000 |
| Highest paying City | Foster City, CA | San Bruno, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | NVIDIA | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Telecommunication | Start-up |
There are a few differences between a software support manager and a software engineer in terms of educational background:
| Software Support Manager | Software Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Carnegie Mellon University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between software support managers' and software engineers' demographics:
| Software Support Manager | Software Engineer | |
| Average age | 47 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 71.0% Female, 29.0% | Male, 78.0% Female, 22.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.8% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 10.2% Asian, 12.6% White, 65.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 34.0% White, 48.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 8% |