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The differences between application software developers and contract developers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an application software developer and a contract developer. Additionally, an application software developer has an average salary of $104,724, which is higher than the $91,433 average annual salary of a contract developer.
The top three skills for an application software developer include java, C++ and javascript. The most important skills for a contract developer are C++, javascript, and java.
| Application Software Developer | Contract Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $104,724 | $91,433 |
| Hourly rate | $50.35 | $43.96 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 299,719 | 249,808 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
An application software developer is responsible for creating and designing software systems and applications according to the clients' specifications or business demands. Application software developers operate various system tools and programming codes to customize programs, implement software solutions, modify test codes, and update existing applications to boost efficiency and optimal performance. They perform multiple diagnostic tests before releasing outputs to ensure its stability, smooth navigation, and flawless transitions. An application software developer coordinates with the clients or supervisor for the project updates, following the budget goals and timeframes.
Contract Developers develop secure web applications for data collections, quality measurement efforts, and reporting purposes for large-scale performance, wireframes and UI specifications for interactive and static reporting and analysis features, and developing UI to interact with reporting engines. They are involved with system design and technical documentation and responsible for dot net development. In this position, contract developers must excellent in problem-solving, analytical skills and attention to detail, display and manipulate performance metrics, and highly confident dealing with internal and external clients.
Application software developers and contract developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Application Software Developer | Contract Developer | |
| Average salary | $104,724 | $91,433 |
| Salary range | Between $80,000 And $136,000 | Between $67,000 And $123,000 |
| Highest paying City | Menlo Park, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | The Citadel | Avanade |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Finance |
There are a few differences between an application software developer and a contract developer in terms of educational background:
| Application Software Developer | Contract Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between application software developers' and contract developers' demographics:
| Application Software Developer | Contract Developer | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 75.9% Female, 24.1% | Male, 71.5% Female, 28.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 30.0% White, 52.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 27.8% White, 54.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |