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Contract programmer vs web developer

The differences between contract programmers and web 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 web developer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a contract programmer has an average salary of $80,027, which is higher than the $78,975 average annual salary of a web developer.

The top three skills for a contract programmer include microsoft sql server, C++ and web application. The most important skills for a web developer are javascript, html css, and HTML.

Contract programmer vs web developer overview

Contract ProgrammerWeb Developer
Yearly salary$80,027$78,975
Hourly rate$38.47$37.97
Growth rate-7%13%
Number of jobs199,998227,881
Job satisfaction-3
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age4737
Years of experience84

What does a contract programmer do?

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.

What does a web developer do?

A web developer is responsible for designing and maintaining a website to attract customers and direct web traffic. Web developers' duty also includes analyzing software and database to develop new applications. A web developer must have extensive knowledge of programming languages and technology solutions to provide the best web design services for the clients, following their specifications, and submitting projects on or before the deadline. Web developers should have excellent time-management and decision-making skills to do tasks efficiently and accurately.

Contract programmer vs web developer salary

Contract programmers and web developers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Contract ProgrammerWeb Developer
Average salary$80,027$78,975
Salary rangeBetween $60,000 And $104,000Between $60,000 And $103,000
Highest paying City-Bothell, WA
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-Google
Best paying industry-Professional

Differences between contract programmer and web developer education

There are a few differences between a contract programmer and a web developer in terms of educational background:

Contract ProgrammerWeb Developer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common majorComputer ScienceComputer Science
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Contract programmer vs web developer demographics

Here are the differences between contract programmers' and web developers' demographics:

Contract ProgrammerWeb Developer
Average age4737
Gender ratioMale, 84.9% Female, 15.1%Male, 78.2% Female, 21.8%
Race ratioBlack 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, 6.4% Unknown, 6.5% Hispanic or Latino, 12.0% Asian, 15.9% White, 58.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage11%9%

Differences between contract programmer and web developer duties and responsibilities

Contract programmer example responsibilities.

  • Update source code in Java and PHP which manage library acquisitions and requisitions.
  • Develop and code several useful algorithms using various SAS statistical functions to accomplish probabilistic data linking.
  • Utilize COBOL, OS390, DB2, IMS, Xpediter and Endevor on IBM OS390 system.
  • Develop and implement client side of Unix account management system.
  • Modify Perl scripts to read data from the database and produce XML files using spreadsheets as input.
  • Major responsibilities involve heavy program/JCL maintenance, production support, and converting COBOL programs from VSAM usage to DB2.
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Web developer example responsibilities.

  • Lead front-end design and creation.
  • Manage high transaction databases including all database objects, triggers, procedures, user rights and functions.
  • Manage social media including Facebook advertising.
  • Interact with java controllers (JQUERY, AJAX, and JSON to write/read data from back end systems).
  • Used JSP, HTML, CSS and JavaScript to render the dynamic web pages (presentation layer) for the application.
  • Re-Design, update and maintain LinkWorth's WordPress plug-in using PHP and XML files to import data from LinkWorth's servers.
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Contract programmer vs web developer skills

Common contract programmer skills
  • Microsoft SQL Server, 12%
  • C++, 9%
  • Web Application, 7%
  • SAS, 4%
  • DB2, 4%
  • JavaScript, 4%
Common web developer skills
  • JavaScript, 8%
  • Html Css, 6%
  • HTML, 5%
  • CSS, 5%
  • Web Forms, 4%
  • JQuery, 4%

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