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The differences between systems testers and software 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 software tester. Additionally, a systems tester has an average salary of $95,834, which is higher than the $78,580 average annual salary of a software tester.
The top three skills for a systems tester include python, java and C++. The most important skills for a software tester are test results, regression, and test scripts.
| Systems Tester | Software Tester | |
| Yearly salary | $95,834 | $78,580 |
| Hourly rate | $46.07 | $37.78 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 112,985 | 208,853 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| 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.
The responsibility of software testers involves the quality assurance of software development and deployment. Software testers conduct manual and automated tests to make sure that the software is developed for its purpose. They remove the issues and bugs within a product before deployment to users. Their responsibilities include software and systems analysis, risk mitigation, and software-related issue prevention. They should have skills in automation, programming, social networking, logical thinking, and mobile and web technology.
Systems testers and software testers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Systems Tester | Software Tester | |
| Average salary | $95,834 | $78,580 |
| Salary range | Between $73,000 And $124,000 | Between $61,000 And $100,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Sunnyvale, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | Apple | Nordstrom |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Technology |
There are a few differences between a systems tester and a software tester in terms of educational background:
| Systems Tester | Software Tester | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between systems testers' and software testers' demographics:
| Systems Tester | Software Tester | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 63.5% Female, 36.5% | Male, 62.1% Female, 37.9% |
| 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% |