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The differences between applications development specialists and managers applications development 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 development specialist, becoming a manager applications development takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a manager applications development has an average salary of $123,527, which is higher than the $99,856 average annual salary of an applications development specialist.
The top three skills for an applications development specialist include java, application development and C++. The most important skills for a manager applications development are application development, java, and ongoing maintenance.
| Applications Development Specialist | Manager Applications Development | |
| Yearly salary | $99,856 | $123,527 |
| Hourly rate | $48.01 | $59.39 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 74,373 | 181,768 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
An applications development specialist focuses on the design and coding of an application or software for a company. The development specialist's job is to determine the most efficient method to develop a program without sacrificing quality. It is also the position's task to ensure that a program is a solution to its needs and other problems identified through feedback from employees. The applications development specialist is also part of the backend team and can work alongside the research and development department when creating new software to be sold to the market.
An applications development manager is responsible for keeping businesses running smoothly and effectively through planning, coordinating, and overseeing all activities related to software applications. You will oversee the maintenance, upgrade, and support of existing applications and systems required for the smooth day-to-day operations of the business. Other tasks that you will likely perform include providing estimates for project timeline and cost, overseeing feasibility research on software applications, and diagnosing and troubleshooting program errors. As an applications development manager, you are also responsible for recommending software products and services that will benefit the company.
Applications development specialists and managers applications development have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Applications Development Specialist | Manager Applications Development | |
| Average salary | $99,856 | $123,527 |
| Salary range | Between $78,000 And $127,000 | Between $97,000 And $156,000 |
| Highest paying City | Jersey City, NJ | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | California |
| Best paying company | MUFG EMEA | |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Finance |
There are a few differences between an applications development specialist and a manager applications development in terms of educational background:
| Applications Development Specialist | Manager Applications Development | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between applications development specialists' and managers applications development' demographics:
| Applications Development Specialist | Manager Applications Development | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 72.2% Female, 27.8% | Male, 80.4% Female, 19.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 6.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 7.0% White, 60.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 11% |