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The differences between applications developers and systems developers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an applications developer, becoming a systems developer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a systems developer has an average salary of $97,230, 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 systems developer are java, python, and C++.
| Applications Developer | Systems Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $89,205 | $97,230 |
| Hourly rate | $42.89 | $46.75 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 279,877 | 322,419 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 39 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
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 Systems Developer is responsible for designing and creating software applications and server programs to support business requirements and client specifications. System Developers run multiple diagnostic tests to the systems to ensure performance and stability and revise scripts for optimization as needed. They also evaluate and improve existing networks, develop infrastructure, and set configuration. A Systems Developer must have excellent communication and technical skills, as well as a strong command of programming languages and system codes to identify network structures and operating systems.
Applications developers and systems developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Applications Developer | Systems Developer | |
| Average salary | $89,205 | $97,230 |
| Salary range | Between $67,000 And $118,000 | Between $73,000 And $129,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Meta | Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Hospitality |
There are a few differences between an applications developer and a systems developer in terms of educational background:
| Applications Developer | Systems Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| 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 systems developers' demographics:
| Applications Developer | Systems Developer | |
| Average age | 39 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 77.0% Female, 23.0% | Male, 76.5% Female, 23.5% |
| 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, 10.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.9% Asian, 16.6% White, 57.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |