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Software support representative vs software support engineer

The differences between software support representatives and software support engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a software support representative, becoming a software support engineer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a software support engineer has an average salary of $87,968, which is higher than the $74,855 average annual salary of a software support representative.

The top three skills for a software support representative include technical support, software support and customer problems. The most important skills for a software support engineer are java, software support, and customer service.

Software support representative vs software support engineer overview

Software Support RepresentativeSoftware Support Engineer
Yearly salary$74,855$87,968
Hourly rate$35.99$42.29
Growth rate10%21%
Number of jobs85,572364,072
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age4239
Years of experience24

Software support representative vs software support engineer salary

Software support representatives and software support engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Software Support RepresentativeSoftware Support Engineer
Average salary$74,855$87,968
Salary rangeBetween $50,000 And $110,000Between $67,000 And $114,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Apple
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between software support representative and software support engineer education

There are a few differences between a software support representative and a software support engineer in terms of educational background:

Software Support RepresentativeSoftware Support Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorBusinessComputer Science
Most common collegeStanford UniversityMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Software support representative vs software support engineer demographics

Here are the differences between software support representatives' and software support engineers' demographics:

Software Support RepresentativeSoftware Support Engineer
Average age4239
Gender ratioMale, 61.0% Female, 39.0%Male, 80.5% Female, 19.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 10.6% White, 56.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%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%
LGBT Percentage11%8%

Differences between software support representative and software support engineer duties and responsibilities

Software support representative example responsibilities.

  • Install and configure multiple UNIX servers and databases using native utilities; configure internal network, configure and manage SSL certificates.
  • Operate collaboration, CRM, and forecasting software.
  • Experience utilizing customer ticketing system (Salesforce).
  • Utilize multiple hardware and software tools to troubleshoot software, printing, accounting and database issues.
  • Create PowerPoint presentations for training purposes.
  • Collaborate with LAN technicians/network administrators to ensure efficient operation of company's desktop software/network environment.
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Software support engineer example responsibilities.

  • Build, manage and maintain physical server hardware and perform upgrades and OS patching as needed.
  • Manage multiple Salesforce projects with tight deadlines effectively.
  • Manage multiple sandbox environments for Salesforce application testing.
  • Manage and troubleshoot new release/patch deployments and provide support for application relate problems.
  • Conduct several interviews with management and end-users which lead to finish the database application.
  • Design and maintain consumer portals in ASP.NET using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
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Software support representative vs software support engineer skills

Common software support representative skills
  • Technical Support, 15%
  • Software Support, 14%
  • Customer Problems, 8%
  • Troubleshoot, 6%
  • Customer Support, 5%
  • CRM, 5%
Common software support engineer skills
  • Java, 11%
  • Software Support, 7%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Technical Support, 6%
  • C #, 5%
  • Troubleshoot, 5%

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