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The differences between test engineers and test analysts 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 test analyst. Additionally, a test engineer has an average salary of $79,832, which is higher than the $70,997 average annual salary of a test analyst.
The top three skills for a test engineer include python, C++ and C #. The most important skills for a test analyst are test scripts, test plan, and regression.
| Test Engineer | Test Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $79,832 | $70,997 |
| Hourly rate | $38.38 | $34.13 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 228,974 | 91,308 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| 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.
The duties of a test analyst depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. In the information technology setting, a test analyst is responsible for testing computer software or hardware to ensure its quality before being released in the market. They participate in the development process to monitor the product specifications, review and analyze documentation, and create test systems, implementing them promptly and efficiently. As a test analyst, it is essential to produce progress reports, prepare presentations, and even give recommendations.
Test engineers and test analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Test Engineer | Test Analyst | |
| Average salary | $79,832 | $70,997 |
| Salary range | Between $60,000 And $104,000 | Between $56,000 And $88,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | Meta | General Motors |
| Best paying industry | Telecommunication | Finance |
There are a few differences between a test engineer and a test analyst in terms of educational background:
| Test Engineer | Test Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Computer Science |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between test engineers' and test analysts' demographics:
| Test Engineer | Test Analyst | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 81.7% Female, 18.3% | Male, 55.2% Female, 44.8% |
| 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% |