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The differences between systems testers and functional testers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a systems tester and a functional tester. Additionally, a systems tester has an average salary of $95,834, which is higher than the $76,647 average annual salary of a functional tester.
The top three skills for a systems tester include python, java and C++. The most important skills for a functional tester are java, test cases, and web application.
| Systems Tester | Functional Tester | |
| Yearly salary | $95,834 | $76,647 |
| Hourly rate | $46.07 | $36.85 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 112,985 | 37,146 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A systems tester is an information technology expert who specializes in developing test structures to identify the strengths and weaknesses of systems and software. They primarily work to identify and eliminate bugs to ensure quality and client satisfaction. They may also perform clerical tasks such as preparing reports and findings. Furthermore, as a systems tester, it is essential to recommend solutions against problem areas, all while adhering to the project's budgets and the company's policies and regulations.
A functional tester's main responsibility is to validate the behavior of an application and analyzed the requirements of the clients. They are skilled in Java and database design for software development. The tasks they do are complex, including scanning IDs of the receiver and serial numbers on each unit, testing the units to make sure they work properly, and checking for any defects and damages. They are also trained in using numerical codes for passing or failing each unit and writing serial numbers on the production tracker.
Systems testers and functional testers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Systems Tester | Functional Tester | |
| Average salary | $95,834 | $76,647 |
| Salary range | Between $73,000 And $124,000 | Between $61,000 And $94,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Bellevue, WA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Apple | Cerner |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Technology |
There are a few differences between a systems tester and a functional tester in terms of educational background:
| Systems Tester | Functional Tester | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between systems testers' and functional testers' demographics:
| Systems Tester | Functional Tester | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 63.5% Female, 36.5% | Male, 65.3% Female, 34.7% |
| 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% |