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The differences between software test engineers and automation 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 engineer and an automation test engineer. Additionally, an automation test engineer has an average salary of $85,353, which is higher than the $85,338 average annual salary of a software test engineer.
The top three skills for a software test engineer include python, java and test automation. The most important skills for an automation test engineer are java, python, and jenkins.
| Software Test Engineer | Automation Test Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $85,338 | $85,353 |
| Hourly rate | $41.03 | $41.04 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 243,382 | 125,816 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
Automation Test Engineers are licensed professionals who work with clients on various IT or engineering-related activities. They are part of the growing automation industry. They create software solutions related to the automation of processes, and they work with clients to identify automation opportunities based on the existing software, hardware, and other processes. They have to understand their clients' needs and find the appropriate software solutions based on the clients' needs. Automation test engineers help design these software solutions. The majority of their work is related to testing these software solutions. They conduct quality checks to ensure that the software solution is working properly. They also check whether the software solution truly addresses the clients' needs.
Software test engineers and automation test engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Software Test Engineer | Automation Test Engineer | |
| Average salary | $85,338 | $85,353 |
| Salary range | Between $63,000 And $115,000 | Between $64,000 And $112,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Mateo, CA | San Mateo, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Telecommunication | Technology |
There are a few differences between a software test engineer and an automation test engineer in terms of educational background:
| Software Test Engineer | Automation Test Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between software test engineers' and automation test engineers' demographics:
| Software Test Engineer | Automation Test Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 68.6% Female, 31.4% | Male, 73.8% Female, 26.2% |
| 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% |