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The differences between cobol programmers and applications developers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-8 years to become a cobol programmer, becoming an applications developer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an applications developer has an average salary of $89,205, which is higher than the $84,879 average annual salary of a cobol programmer.
The top three skills for a cobol programmer include SQL, COBOL and debugging. The most important skills for an applications developer are java, javascript, and C++.
| Cobol Programmer | Applications Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $84,879 | $89,205 |
| Hourly rate | $40.81 | $42.89 |
| Growth rate | -7% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 191,455 | 279,877 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 47 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 4 |
Cobol Programmers write computer programs using COBOL. They design, create, and configure new program codes, test these computer programs to ensure they work well on the intended system, and make the required changes. They also fine-tune DB2 SQL inquiries, gather and document operating system requirements, maintain and develop COBOL, and document, implement, design, and enhance systems and computer programs. Cobol Programmers code libraries to simplify program writing, test COBOL program errors, and correct computer code faulty lines.
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.
Cobol programmers and applications developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Cobol Programmer | Applications Developer | |
| Average salary | $84,879 | $89,205 |
| Salary range | Between $63,000 And $112,000 | Between $67,000 And $118,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Nevada | Washington |
| Best paying company | Levi, Ray & Shoup | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Finance |
There are a few differences between a cobol programmer and an applications developer in terms of educational background:
| Cobol Programmer | Applications Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between cobol programmers' and applications developers' demographics:
| Cobol Programmer | Applications Developer | |
| Average age | 47 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 75.3% Female, 24.7% | Male, 77.0% Female, 23.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 15.0% White, 66.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 8% |