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The differences between software test engineers and software engineers-consultant 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 a software engineer-consultant. Additionally, a software engineer-consultant has an average salary of $113,987, 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 a software engineer-consultant are java, python, and architecture.
| Software Test Engineer | Software Engineer-Consultant | |
| Yearly salary | $85,338 | $113,987 |
| Hourly rate | $41.03 | $54.80 |
| Growth rate | - | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 243,382 | 317,033 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 44 | 39 |
| 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.
A software engineer consultant develops and recommends strategies to optimize a company's software engineering operations. Their responsibilities revolve around conducting extensive research and analysis to find new opportunities, performing software evaluations and risk assessments, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of existing processes, and developing solutions against problem areas. Through the findings of their research, a software engineer consultant draws conclusions and recommendations that will help the company to reach their short and long-term goals and resolve issues or concerns.
Software test engineers and software engineers-consultant have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Software Test Engineer | Software Engineer-Consultant | |
| Average salary | $85,338 | $113,987 |
| Salary range | Between $63,000 And $115,000 | Between $85,000 And $152,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Mateo, CA | Foster City, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | Advent Software |
| Best paying industry | Telecommunication | Insurance |
There are a few differences between a software test engineer and a software engineer-consultant in terms of educational background:
| Software Test Engineer | Software Engineer-Consultant | |
| 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 | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between software test engineers' and software engineers-consultant' demographics:
| Software Test Engineer | Software Engineer-Consultant | |
| Average age | 44 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 68.6% Female, 31.4% | Male, 86.1% Female, 13.9% |
| 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, 4.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 29.7% White, 52.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 8% |