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The differences between applications developers and mobile applications 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 a mobile applications developer. Additionally, a mobile applications developer has an average salary of $99,257, 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 a mobile applications developer are java, C++, and mobile development.
| Applications Developer | Mobile Applications Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $89,205 | $99,257 |
| Hourly rate | $42.89 | $47.72 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 279,877 | 252,254 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| 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.
A mobile application developer is responsible for designing programming applications for mobile devices according to clients' specifications and business demands. Mobile application developers must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, as well as computer system commands to develop efficient scripts and smooth navigation of operating systems. They analyze the clients' needs and recommend application solutions within their budget limitations and timeframe. A mobile application developer identifies inconsistencies and glitches with the output before submission to ensure its stability and optimal performance.
Applications developers and mobile applications developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Applications Developer | Mobile Applications Developer | |
| Average salary | $89,205 | $99,257 |
| Salary range | Between $67,000 And $118,000 | Between $75,000 And $130,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | Meta | |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between an applications developer and a mobile applications developer in terms of educational background:
| Applications Developer | Mobile Applications Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between applications developers' and mobile applications developers' demographics:
| Applications Developer | Mobile Applications Developer | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 77.0% Female, 23.0% | Male, 82.5% Female, 17.5% |
| 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, 4.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 29.8% White, 52.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |