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The differences between staff test engineers and software 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 staff test engineer and a software test engineer. Additionally, a staff test engineer has an average salary of $115,935, which is higher than the $85,338 average annual salary of a software test engineer.
The top three skills for a staff test engineer include C++, data analysis and test results. The most important skills for a software test engineer are python, java, and test automation.
| Staff Test Engineer | Software Test Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $115,935 | $85,338 |
| Hourly rate | $55.74 | $41.03 |
| Growth rate | 3% | - |
| Number of jobs | 123,176 | 243,382 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| 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.
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.
Staff test engineers and software test engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Staff Test Engineer | Software Test Engineer | |
| Average salary | $115,935 | $85,338 |
| Salary range | Between $87,000 And $153,000 | Between $63,000 And $115,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Mateo, CA |
| Highest paying state | Oregon | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a staff test engineer and a software test engineer in terms of educational background:
| Staff Test Engineer | Software Test Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between staff test engineers' and software test engineers' demographics:
| Staff Test Engineer | Software Test Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.6% Female, 16.4% | Male, 68.6% Female, 31.4% |
| 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, 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% |