Test engineering manager vs test engineer

The differences between test engineering managers and test engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes More than 10 years to become a test engineering manager, becoming a test engineer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a test engineering manager has an average salary of $117,209, which is higher than the $79,832 average annual salary of a test engineer.

The top three skills for a test engineering manager include test engineering, test equipment and test automation. The most important skills for a test engineer are python, C++, and C #.

Test engineering manager vs test engineer overview

	Test Engineering Manager	Test Engineer
Yearly salary	$117,209	$79,832
Hourly rate	$56.35	$38.38
Growth rate	2%	-
Number of jobs	84,350	228,974
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 67%	Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Average age	48	44
Years of experience	-	4

What does a test engineering manager do?

Test engineering managers take responsibility for the management of testing procedures and strategies evaluation, implementation, and recommendation. The engineering managers make sure that primary projects and duties associated with engineering are fulfilled within budget and on-time. They answer technical questions related to engineering. It is part of their job to train new employees. Also, they work with different departments within the organization.

What does a test engineer do?

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.

Test engineering manager vs test engineer salary

Test engineering managers and test engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Test Engineering Manager	Test Engineer
Average salary	$117,209	$79,832
Salary range	Between $89,000 And $153,000	Between $60,000 And $104,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	California	California
Best paying company	Google	Meta
Best paying industry	Technology	Telecommunication

Differences between test engineering manager and test engineer education

There are a few differences between a test engineering manager and a test engineer in terms of educational background:

	Test Engineering Manager	Test Engineer
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 67%	Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Most common major	Electrical Engineering	Electrical Engineering
Most common college	University of Michigan - Ann Arbor	California State University - Long Beach

Test engineering manager vs test engineer demographics

Here are the differences between test engineering managers' and test engineers' demographics:

	Test Engineering Manager	Test Engineer
Average age	48	44
Gender ratio	Male, 90.7% Female, 9.3%	Male, 81.7% Female, 18.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 14.8% White, 68.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%	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	9%	11%

Differences between test engineering manager and test engineer duties and responsibilities

Test engineering manager example responsibilities.

Manage regulatory and agency (UL, CSA, FCC, IEC, FDA, CE , 510k, etc . )
Manage development of applications to save the tests data into the SQL database.
Manage chemical testing laboratory for analyzing field materials for engineers using ASTM requirements.
Manage workflow and oversee strict cleanroom operations, assuring compliance with FDA specifications including labeling and packaging traceability.
Configure storage arrays for compatibility testing with new HBAs and switches.
Perform inter-divisional ISO audits, prepare ISO documents and maintain ISO records.

Test engineer example responsibilities.

Manage design, correction, and modification of the installations monitor in Citect-SCADA software (HMI).
Perform quality assurance tests to Intel processors and communications components using advance testing equipment in UNIX and Linux environments.
Conduct final acceptance testing for DOD security products.
Experience in mobile testing both manual and automation using APPIUM.
Used Appium to configure test to run it on different mobile devices.
Involve in designing and writing functionalities of the web applications using ruby.

Test engineering manager vs test engineer skills

Common test engineering manager skills

Test Engineering, 10%
Test Equipment, 6%
Test Automation, 5%
RF, 5%
Continuous Improvement, 4%
End-To-End Testing, 4%

Common test engineer skills

Python, 7%
C++, 5%
C #, 5%
Test Results, 5%
Java, 5%
Test Procedures, 4%

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Test Engineering Manager
Test Engineering Manager vs Test Engineer

Updated January 8, 2025

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