Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between cobol programmers and software 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 software developer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a software developer has an average salary of $87,521, 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 software developer are java, python, and C++.
| Cobol Programmer | Software Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $84,879 | $87,521 |
| Hourly rate | $40.81 | $42.08 |
| Growth rate | -7% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 191,455 | 294,329 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| 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.
A software developer is responsible for designing application systems to support the user and business' needs. Duties of a software developer include testing software codes, performing diagnostic programs and troubleshooting, interpreting system data and establishing efficient parameters, and ensuring the compatibility of the systems. A software developer must have an excellent knowledge of computer programs and programming languages to understand its complexities, especially on detecting system defects and malfunctions. A software developer must have strong attention to detail, communication, and decision-making skills to coordinate with the team and also work independently under minimal supervision.
Cobol programmers and software developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Cobol Programmer | Software Developer | |
| Average salary | $84,879 | $87,521 |
| Salary range | Between $63,000 And $112,000 | Between $67,000 And $113,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Nevada | California |
| Best paying company | Levi, Ray & Shoup | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Finance |
There are a few differences between a cobol programmer and a software developer in terms of educational background:
| Cobol Programmer | Software Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between cobol programmers' and software developers' demographics:
| Cobol Programmer | Software Developer | |
| Average age | 47 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 75.3% Female, 24.7% | Male, 79.3% Female, 20.7% |
| 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, 4.5% 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% |