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The differences between staff test engineers and automation 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 staff test engineer and an automation engineer. Additionally, a staff test engineer has an average salary of $115,935, which is higher than the $92,597 average annual salary of an automation engineer.
The top three skills for a staff test engineer include C++, data analysis and test results. The most important skills for an automation engineer are python, java, and PLC.
| Staff Test Engineer | Automation Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $115,935 | $92,597 |
| Hourly rate | $55.74 | $44.52 |
| Growth rate | 3% | - |
| Number of jobs | 123,176 | 133,941 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A staff test engineer is responsible for setting guidelines for a test plan. They also monitor technicians and other expert engineers. They frequently collaborate with other engineering staff to develop comprehensive testability requirements. They review and suggests testability modules.
An automation engineer takes charge of developing detailed design specifications and any other documents. Automation engineers develop automation software that is based on certain requirements for the involved process. They conform to local standards, international standards, and other process-oriented guidelines. Their duties also include the simulation and testing of automated machinery and processes. The must-have skills for this position include configuration software experience, scripting and coding expertise, certifications, and in-depth knowledge of technology.
Staff test engineers and automation engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Staff Test Engineer | Automation Engineer | |
| Average salary | $115,935 | $92,597 |
| Salary range | Between $87,000 And $153,000 | Between $70,000 And $121,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Oregon | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Retail |
There are a few differences between a staff test engineer and an automation engineer in terms of educational background:
| Staff Test Engineer | Automation Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between staff test engineers' and automation engineers' demographics:
| Staff Test Engineer | Automation Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.6% Female, 16.4% | Male, 87.0% Female, 13.0% |
| 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% |