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The differences between system test engineers and automation 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 system test engineer and an automation test engineer. Additionally, a system test engineer has an average salary of $100,751, which is higher than the $85,353 average annual salary of an automation test engineer.
The top three skills for a system test engineer include python, test procedures and C++. The most important skills for an automation test engineer are java, python, and jenkins.
| System Test Engineer | Automation Test Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $100,751 | $85,353 |
| Hourly rate | $48.44 | $41.04 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 131,653 | 125,816 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A system test engineer is responsible for performing diagnostic tests on computer systems and applications, measuring its performance and efficiency, and recommending technical solutions as needed. System test engineers assist in system configuration and network infrastructure, ensuring that the deliverables meet the business requirements and project specifications. They should have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, as well as a strong command of programming languages, to automate scripts for quality check methodologies. A system test engineer coordinates with the technology team in improving the user interface, including navigation and server stability.
Automation Test Engineers are licensed professionals who work with clients on various IT or engineering-related activities. They are part of the growing automation industry. They create software solutions related to the automation of processes, and they work with clients to identify automation opportunities based on the existing software, hardware, and other processes. They have to understand their clients' needs and find the appropriate software solutions based on the clients' needs. Automation test engineers help design these software solutions. The majority of their work is related to testing these software solutions. They conduct quality checks to ensure that the software solution is working properly. They also check whether the software solution truly addresses the clients' needs.
System test engineers and automation test engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| System Test Engineer | Automation Test Engineer | |
| Average salary | $100,751 | $85,353 |
| Salary range | Between $76,000 And $132,000 | Between $64,000 And $112,000 |
| Highest paying City | Petaluma, CA | San Mateo, CA |
| Highest paying state | Nevada | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Technology |
There are a few differences between a system test engineer and an automation test engineer in terms of educational background:
| System Test Engineer | Automation Test Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Computer Science |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between system test engineers' and automation test engineers' demographics:
| System Test Engineer | Automation Test Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 80.3% Female, 19.7% | Male, 73.8% Female, 26.2% |
| 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% |