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The differences between testers and automation 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 tester and an automation test engineer. Additionally, an automation test engineer has an average salary of $85,353, which is higher than the $65,202 average annual salary of a tester.
The top three skills for a tester include java, test results and web application. The most important skills for an automation test engineer are java, python, and jenkins.
| Tester | Automation Test Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $65,202 | $85,353 |
| Hourly rate | $31.35 | $41.04 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 52,595 | 125,816 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 46% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
The role of technical testers is to test computer software for defects, bug errors, or any issues that may come across by an end-user. They mainly conduct product testing and prepare reports about any problems or recommendations for improvements. Other responsibilities include reviewing test plans, assessing and analyzing product specifications and requirements, and mapping out testing strategy. Technical testers also frame the test environments or support network management staff and system administrators. Qualifications for this position include knowledge of the database or structured query language, proficiency in Linux commands, and proficiency in defect tracking tools.
Automation Test Engineers are licensed professionals who work with clients on various IT or engineering-related activities. They are part of the growing automation industry. They create software solutions related to the automation of processes, and they work with clients to identify automation opportunities based on the existing software, hardware, and other processes. They have to understand their clients' needs and find the appropriate software solutions based on the clients' needs. Automation test engineers help design these software solutions. The majority of their work is related to testing these software solutions. They conduct quality checks to ensure that the software solution is working properly. They also check whether the software solution truly addresses the clients' needs.
Testers and automation test engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Tester | Automation Test Engineer | |
| Average salary | $65,202 | $85,353 |
| Salary range | Between $42,000 And $99,000 | Between $64,000 And $112,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Mateo, CA |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Telecommunication | Technology |
There are a few differences between a tester and an automation test engineer in terms of educational background:
| Tester | Automation Test Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 46% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | - | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between testers' and automation test engineers' demographics:
| Tester | Automation Test Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 63.0% Female, 37.0% | Male, 73.8% Female, 26.2% |
| 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% |