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The differences between test engineers and system 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 test engineer and a system test engineer. Additionally, a system test engineer has an average salary of $100,751, which is higher than the $79,832 average annual salary of a test engineer.
The top three skills for a test engineer include python, C++ and C #. The most important skills for a system test engineer are python, test procedures, and C++.
| Test Engineer | System Test Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $79,832 | $100,751 |
| Hourly rate | $38.38 | $48.44 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 228,974 | 131,653 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Test engineers are professionals who observe and record the quality of products, which includes functionality, durability, speed, and safety. They are responsible for checking the materials and procedures thoroughly throughout the production cycle. It is their duty to run tests on different criteria to identify and fix technical issues. They analyze reactions to determine the causes of malfunctions and recommend potential improvements. Moreover, they test products before they are launched to ensure customers get high-quality and functional products.
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.
Test engineers and system test engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Test Engineer | System Test Engineer | |
| Average salary | $79,832 | $100,751 |
| Salary range | Between $60,000 And $104,000 | Between $76,000 And $132,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Petaluma, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Nevada |
| Best paying company | Meta | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Telecommunication | Professional |
There are a few differences between a test engineer and a system test engineer in terms of educational background:
| Test Engineer | System Test Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between test engineers' and system test engineers' demographics:
| Test Engineer | System Test Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 81.7% Female, 18.3% | Male, 80.3% Female, 19.7% |
| 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% |