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The differences between staff test engineers and principal engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a staff test engineer, becoming a principal engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a principal engineer has an average salary of $130,213, which is higher than the $115,935 average annual salary of a staff test engineer.
The top three skills for a staff test engineer include C++, data analysis and test results. The most important skills for a principal engineer are java, architecture, and python.
| Staff Test Engineer | Principal Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $115,935 | $130,213 |
| Hourly rate | $55.74 | $62.60 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 123,176 | 312,683 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 44 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
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.
A principal engineer is responsible for monitoring the overall design phase of the construction process, including coordinating with the client for progress and updates, as well as performing adjustments as needed based on clients' specifications and requirements. Principal engineers also inspect the materials and resources used to ensure that the project stays within the budget goals and set timeframe. They should have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in preparing reports and training new staff.
Staff test engineers and principal engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Staff Test Engineer | Principal Engineer | |
| Average salary | $115,935 | $130,213 |
| Salary range | Between $87,000 And $153,000 | Between $95,000 And $177,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Mateo, CA |
| Highest paying state | Oregon | California |
| Best paying company | Grubhub | |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a staff test engineer and a principal engineer in terms of educational background:
| Staff Test Engineer | Principal Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between staff test engineers' and principal engineers' demographics:
| Staff Test Engineer | Principal Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.6% Female, 16.4% | Male, 92.6% Female, 7.4% |
| 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, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 16.6% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 5% |