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The differences between contract programmer analysts and senior programmers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a contract programmer analyst, becoming a senior programmer takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a senior programmer has an average salary of $105,509, which is higher than the $83,957 average annual salary of a contract programmer analyst.
The top three skills for a contract programmer analyst include sql server, access database and cobol ii. The most important skills for a senior programmer are macro, SAS, and database.
| Contract Programmer Analyst | Senior Programmer | |
| Yearly salary | $83,957 | $105,509 |
| Hourly rate | $40.36 | $50.73 |
| Growth rate | 9% | -7% |
| Number of jobs | 38,517 | 209,882 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 43 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 8 |
A Contract Programmer Analyst writes computer code used in software applications. They plan, design, schedule, write, and debug software for websites. They work on a part-time or contract basis for software publishers, government agencies, small or large businesses, and other organizations.
A Senior Programmer develops operations solutions through guiding the development of program specifications and leading programmers. They develop, test, and implement IT solutions.
Contract programmer analysts and senior programmers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Contract Programmer Analyst | Senior Programmer | |
| Average salary | $83,957 | $105,509 |
| Salary range | Between $63,000 And $110,000 | Between $78,000 And $141,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | California |
| Best paying company | - | Cornerstone Research |
| Best paying industry | - | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a contract programmer analyst and a senior programmer in terms of educational background:
| Contract Programmer Analyst | Senior Programmer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between contract programmer analysts' and senior programmers' demographics:
| Contract Programmer Analyst | Senior Programmer | |
| Average age | 43 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 76.9% Female, 23.1% | Male, 81.0% Female, 19.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 12.6% White, 60.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 19.2% White, 62.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 11% |