Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between applications developers and application 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 applications developer and an application software developer. Additionally, an application software developer has an average salary of $104,724, which is higher than the $89,205 average annual salary of an applications developer.
The top three skills for an applications developer include java, javascript and C++. The most important skills for an application software developer are java, C++, and javascript.
| Applications Developer | Application Software Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $89,205 | $104,724 |
| Hourly rate | $42.89 | $50.35 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 279,877 | 299,719 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
An application developer is responsible for creating program applications for devices based on clients' specifications and business needs. Application developers must have excellent knowledge of computer systems, as well as a strong command of programming languages to develop customized programs. Duties of an application developer also include running diagnostic tests to ensure the application's performance and stability, providing instruction manuals for reference, performing troubleshooting for any inconsistencies, upgrading design codes for optimization, and launching the application following the client's timetable.
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.
Applications developers and application software developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Applications Developer | Application Software Developer | |
| Average salary | $89,205 | $104,724 |
| Salary range | Between $67,000 And $118,000 | Between $80,000 And $136,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Menlo Park, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Professional |
There are a few differences between an applications developer and an application software developer in terms of educational background:
| Applications Developer | Application Software Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between applications developers' and application software developers' demographics:
| Applications Developer | Application Software Developer | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 77.0% Female, 23.0% | Male, 75.9% Female, 24.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 29.9% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |