Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between contract programmers and mobile 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 contract programmer, becoming a mobile applications developer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a mobile applications developer has an average salary of $99,257, which is higher than the $80,027 average annual salary of a contract programmer.
The top three skills for a contract programmer include microsoft sql server, C++ and web application. The most important skills for a mobile applications developer are java, C++, and mobile development.
| Contract Programmer | Mobile Applications Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $80,027 | $99,257 |
| Hourly rate | $38.47 | $47.72 |
| Growth rate | -7% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 199,998 | 252,254 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 47 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 4 |
A Contract Programmer writes computer code used in software applications. They work by the project or by the job on a contract basis, rather than as full-time employees of a company.
A mobile application developer is responsible for designing programming applications for mobile devices according to clients' specifications and business demands. Mobile application developers must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, as well as computer system commands to develop efficient scripts and smooth navigation of operating systems. They analyze the clients' needs and recommend application solutions within their budget limitations and timeframe. A mobile application developer identifies inconsistencies and glitches with the output before submission to ensure its stability and optimal performance.
Contract programmers and mobile applications developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Contract Programmer | Mobile Applications Developer | |
| Average salary | $80,027 | $99,257 |
| Salary range | Between $60,000 And $104,000 | Between $75,000 And $130,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | Washington |
| Best paying company | - | |
| Best paying industry | - | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a contract programmer and a mobile applications developer in terms of educational background:
| Contract Programmer | Mobile Applications Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between contract programmers' and mobile applications developers' demographics:
| Contract Programmer | Mobile Applications Developer | |
| Average age | 47 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 84.9% Female, 15.1% | Male, 82.5% Female, 17.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 14.9% White, 66.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 29.8% White, 52.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 8% |