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The differences between cobol programmers and 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 a developer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a developer has an average salary of $100,076, 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 a developer are javascript, python, and java.
| Cobol Programmer | Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $84,879 | $100,076 |
| Hourly rate | $40.81 | $48.11 |
| Growth rate | -7% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 191,455 | 262,570 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| 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.
Developers are usually system or application developers in a company who work on specific projects related to networks or applications from conception to implementation. They attend planning sessions to ensure that the program is feasible. They are responsible for designing the system through coding and basic user interface design. They also work on troubleshooting any challenges that may be met at the testing stage of the program's development. They solve challenges and ensure that minimal problems will arise upon publishing the system or application. They also manage the evaluation to ensure that the program's goals are accomplished and that the end-users are satisfied with the results.
Cobol programmers and developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Cobol Programmer | Developer | |
| Average salary | $84,879 | $100,076 |
| Salary range | Between $63,000 And $112,000 | Between $76,000 And $131,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | - |
| Highest paying state | Nevada | Washington |
| Best paying company | Levi, Ray & Shoup | - |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Finance |
There are a few differences between a cobol programmer and a developer in terms of educational background:
| Cobol Programmer | 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 developers' demographics:
| Cobol Programmer | Developer | |
| Average age | 47 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 75.3% Female, 24.7% | Male, 74.9% Female, 25.1% |
| 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, 4.6% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 29.8% White, 52.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 8% |