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The differences between systems testers and systems developers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a systems tester, becoming a systems developer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a systems developer has an average salary of $97,230, which is higher than the $95,834 average annual salary of a systems tester.
The top three skills for a systems tester include python, java and C++. The most important skills for a systems developer are java, python, and C++.
| Systems Tester | Systems Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $95,834 | $97,230 |
| Hourly rate | $46.07 | $46.75 |
| Growth rate | - | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 112,985 | 322,419 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 44 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
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 Systems Developer is responsible for designing and creating software applications and server programs to support business requirements and client specifications. System Developers run multiple diagnostic tests to the systems to ensure performance and stability and revise scripts for optimization as needed. They also evaluate and improve existing networks, develop infrastructure, and set configuration. A Systems Developer must have excellent communication and technical skills, as well as a strong command of programming languages and system codes to identify network structures and operating systems.
Systems testers and systems developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Systems Tester | Systems Developer | |
| Average salary | $95,834 | $97,230 |
| Salary range | Between $73,000 And $124,000 | Between $73,000 And $129,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Apple | Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Hospitality |
There are a few differences between a systems tester and a systems developer in terms of educational background:
| Systems Tester | Systems Developer | |
| 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 systems developers' demographics:
| Systems Tester | Systems Developer | |
| Average age | 44 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 63.5% Female, 36.5% | Male, 76.5% Female, 23.5% |
| 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, 10.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.9% Asian, 16.6% White, 57.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 8% |