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The differences between test engineers and validation 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 validation engineer. Additionally, a validation engineer has an average salary of $82,004, 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 validation engineer are python, FDA, and GMP.
| Test Engineer | Validation Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $79,832 | $82,004 |
| Hourly rate | $38.38 | $39.42 |
| Growth rate | - | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 228,974 | 28,394 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 44 | 43 |
| 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 validation engineer is an individual responsible for managing, inspecting, testing, and modifying the instrumentation, equipment, mechanics, and procedures for the production of high-quality products. The professional's tasks include analyzing test results, preparing compliance reports, and keeping updated with industry standards and regulations. Validation engineers should possess core skills such as strong mathematical and information technology skills and the ability to resolve complex engineering problems. Possessing a bachelor's or master's degree in a relevant engineering discipline is an advantage to qualify for the position.
Test engineers and validation engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Test Engineer | Validation Engineer | |
| Average salary | $79,832 | $82,004 |
| Salary range | Between $60,000 And $104,000 | Between $62,000 And $107,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Cupertino, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Telecommunication | Technology |
There are a few differences between a test engineer and a validation engineer in terms of educational background:
| Test Engineer | Validation Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | Georgia Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between test engineers' and validation engineers' demographics:
| Test Engineer | Validation Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 81.7% Female, 18.3% | Male, 78.5% Female, 21.5% |
| 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, 4.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 10.2% Asian, 22.9% White, 57.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 5% |