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The differences between application software developers and software 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 software developer. Additionally, an application software developer has an average salary of $104,724, which is higher than the $87,521 average annual salary of a software developer.
The top three skills for an application software developer include java, C++ and javascript. The most important skills for a software developer are java, python, and C++.
| Application Software Developer | Software Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $104,724 | $87,521 |
| Hourly rate | $50.35 | $42.08 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 299,719 | 294,329 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| 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.
A software developer is responsible for designing application systems to support the user and business' needs. Duties of a software developer include testing software codes, performing diagnostic programs and troubleshooting, interpreting system data and establishing efficient parameters, and ensuring the compatibility of the systems. A software developer must have an excellent knowledge of computer programs and programming languages to understand its complexities, especially on detecting system defects and malfunctions. A software developer must have strong attention to detail, communication, and decision-making skills to coordinate with the team and also work independently under minimal supervision.
Application software developers and software developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Application Software Developer | Software Developer | |
| Average salary | $104,724 | $87,521 |
| Salary range | Between $80,000 And $136,000 | Between $67,000 And $113,000 |
| Highest paying City | Menlo Park, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | The Citadel | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Finance |
There are a few differences between an application software developer and a software developer in terms of educational background:
| Application Software Developer | Software Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between application software developers' and software developers' demographics:
| Application Software Developer | Software Developer | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 75.9% Female, 24.1% | Male, 79.3% Female, 20.7% |
| 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, 4.5% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 29.9% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |