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Contract software developer vs software consultant

The differences between contract software developers and software consultants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a contract software developer and a software consultant. Additionally, a contract software developer has an average salary of $97,254, which is higher than the $88,605 average annual salary of a software consultant.

The top three skills for a contract software developer include web application, database and sql server. The most important skills for a software consultant are web application, database, and java.

Contract software developer vs software consultant overview

Contract Software DeveloperSoftware Consultant
Yearly salary$97,254$88,605
Hourly rate$46.76$42.60
Growth rate21%21%
Number of jobs303,433275,746
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age3939
Years of experience44

Contract software developer vs software consultant salary

Contract software developers and software consultants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Contract Software DeveloperSoftware Consultant
Average salary$97,254$88,605
Salary rangeBetween $72,000 And $131,000Between $68,000 And $115,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-New York
Best paying company-Silver Peak
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between contract software developer and software consultant education

There are a few differences between a contract software developer and a software consultant in terms of educational background:

Contract Software DeveloperSoftware Consultant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common majorComputer ScienceComputer Science
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Contract software developer vs software consultant demographics

Here are the differences between contract software developers' and software consultants' demographics:

Contract Software DeveloperSoftware Consultant
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 85.9% Female, 14.1%Male, 75.3% Female, 24.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 30.0% White, 52.6% 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 Percentage8%8%

Differences between contract software developer and software consultant duties and responsibilities

Contract software developer example responsibilities.

  • Design simple object-base framework for managing Unix shell scripts and configuration files.
  • Implement a centralize configuration system for managing application settings, consisting of a desktop application with a WCF backend.
  • Design, build and install linux media servers.
  • Design the system architecture, API layer, device drivers.
  • Replace older PHP internal portal system with J2EE/MVC base application using JSP and Servlets.
  • Develop and maintain specialized company windows programs to work with a system call Avantis.
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Software consultant example responsibilities.

  • Develop a tool under Linux using C/C++ and raw network sockets to automate testing and for bench marking.
  • Develop and implement Unix and Perl shell scripts to automate application support process and to minimize troubleshooting latency.
  • Develop UI using HTML, JavaScript, JSP, DHTML, CSS for interactive cross browser functionality and complex user interface.
  • Design and review Java application architecture; analyze software development process and suggest alternative technologies.
  • Used Java, JavaScript, HTML, store procedures, cursors, complex joins, etc.
  • Live supplier data and distributor information are fed into the system via BizTalk server using XML web services as external subscriptions.
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Contract software developer vs software consultant skills

Common contract software developer skills
  • Web Application, 8%
  • Database, 5%
  • SQL Server, 5%
  • Java, 5%
  • JavaScript, 4%
  • PL/SQL, 4%
Common software consultant skills
  • Web Application, 9%
  • Database, 7%
  • Java, 6%
  • PL/SQL, 5%
  • SQL Server, 5%
  • Software Development, 3%

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