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The differences between software test engineers and software engineers lead 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 lead. Additionally, a software engineer lead has an average salary of $125,565, 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 lead are java, python, and software development.
| Software Test Engineer | Software Engineer Lead | |
| Yearly salary | $85,338 | $125,565 |
| Hourly rate | $41.03 | $60.37 |
| Growth rate | - | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 243,382 | 342,462 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| 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 Lead is focused on developing and testing software programs. They manage a team of software engineers that design enterprise software products and operating systems.
Software test engineers and software engineers lead have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Software Test Engineer | Software Engineer Lead | |
| Average salary | $85,338 | $125,565 |
| Salary range | Between $63,000 And $115,000 | Between $93,000 And $168,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Mateo, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Apple | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Telecommunication | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a software test engineer and a software engineer lead in terms of educational background:
| Software Test Engineer | Software Engineer Lead | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| 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 lead' demographics:
| Software Test Engineer | Software Engineer Lead | |
| Average age | 44 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 68.6% Female, 31.4% | Male, 86.7% Female, 13.3% |
| 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, 4.5% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.3% Asian, 29.9% White, 52.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 8% |