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The differences between staff test engineers and staff 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 staff engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a staff test engineer has an average salary of $115,935, which is higher than the $107,530 average annual salary of a staff engineer.
The top three skills for a staff test engineer include C++, data analysis and test results. The most important skills for a staff engineer are java, python, and architecture.
| Staff Test Engineer | Staff Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $115,935 | $107,530 |
| Hourly rate | $55.74 | $51.70 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 123,176 | 277,011 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| 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.
Staff engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and inspecting various products, equipment, or structures. These professionals may perform varied duties depending on their specialization that includes overseeing the design and construction of buildings, bridges, sewer systems, and other infrastructure, estimating the financial costs of construction projects, and ensuring compliance with health and safety laws and regulations. Other duties include designing and developing machinery, tools, and engines, solving design problems, and building the manufacturing equipment needed to create their products.
Staff test engineers and staff engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Staff Test Engineer | Staff Engineer | |
| Average salary | $115,935 | $107,530 |
| Salary range | Between $87,000 And $153,000 | Between $69,000 And $167,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Mateo, CA |
| Highest paying state | Oregon | California |
| Best paying company | Flexport | |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a staff test engineer and a staff engineer in terms of educational background:
| Staff Test Engineer | Staff Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between staff test engineers' and staff engineers' demographics:
| Staff Test Engineer | Staff Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.6% Female, 16.4% | Male, 87.9% Female, 12.1% |
| 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, 16.8% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 5% |