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The differences between software test analysts and 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 test analyst and a test engineer. Additionally, a test engineer has an average salary of $79,832, which is higher than the $78,713 average annual salary of a software test analyst.
The top three skills for a software test analyst include test scripts, test results and regression. The most important skills for a test engineer are python, C++, and C #.
| Software Test Analyst | Test Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $78,713 | $79,832 |
| Hourly rate | $37.84 | $38.38 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 94,928 | 228,974 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Software test analysts negotiate testing criteria, conduct tests, and report the data gathered from testing. They collaborate with customers and vendors to clarify use cases for the test products. They use this information to formulate testing protocols and to ensure software meets users' expectations.
Test engineers are professionals who observe and record the quality of products, which includes functionality, durability, speed, and safety. They are responsible for checking the materials and procedures thoroughly throughout the production cycle. It is their duty to run tests on different criteria to identify and fix technical issues. They analyze reactions to determine the causes of malfunctions and recommend potential improvements. Moreover, they test products before they are launched to ensure customers get high-quality and functional products.
Software test analysts and test engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Software Test Analyst | Test Engineer | |
| Average salary | $78,713 | $79,832 |
| Salary range | Between $61,000 And $100,000 | Between $60,000 And $104,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | California |
| Best paying company | IDEXX | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a software test analyst and a test engineer in terms of educational background:
| Software Test Analyst | Test Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Stanford University | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between software test analysts' and test engineers' demographics:
| Software Test Analyst | Test Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 59.4% Female, 40.6% | Male, 81.7% Female, 18.3% |
| 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% |