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Contract software developer vs software engineer

The differences between contract software developers and software engineers 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 engineer. Additionally, a software engineer has an average salary of $100,260, which is higher than the $97,254 average annual salary of a contract software developer.

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

Contract software developer vs software engineer overview

Contract Software DeveloperSoftware Engineer
Yearly salary$97,254$100,260
Hourly rate$46.76$48.20
Growth rate21%21%
Number of jobs303,433339,938
Job satisfaction-3.5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Average age3939
Years of experience44

Contract software developer vs software engineer salary

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

Contract Software DeveloperSoftware Engineer
Average salary$97,254$100,260
Salary rangeBetween $72,000 And $131,000Between $73,000 And $136,000
Highest paying City-San Bruno, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-The Citadel
Best paying industry-Start-up

Differences between contract software developer and software engineer education

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

Contract Software DeveloperSoftware Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Most common majorComputer ScienceComputer Science
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyHarvard University

Contract software developer vs software engineer demographics

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

Contract Software DeveloperSoftware Engineer
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 85.9% Female, 14.1%Male, 78.0% Female, 22.0%
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, 4.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 34.0% White, 48.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between contract software developer and software engineer 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 engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage product releases, solve software bugs in a client/server environment, write UNIX shell scripts to manage development environments.
  • Manage responsive UI design, implementing complex, dynamic functionality.
  • Define continuous integration process and configure Jenkins build server to manage it.
  • Develop a python serial communication program to automate test procedures and verify proper operation.
  • Manage website/software/mobile applications by generating full scope requirements base upon PMI / SDLC guidance.
  • Contribute to implementing microservices used to manage entities and maintain a synchronize state between supplier and distributor.
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Contract software developer vs software engineer skills

Common contract software developer skills
  • Web Application, 8%
  • Database, 5%
  • SQL Server, 5%
  • Java, 5%
  • JavaScript, 4%
  • PL/SQL, 4%
Common software engineer skills
  • Java, 15%
  • Python, 9%
  • Software Development, 6%
  • Database, 3%
  • GIT, 3%
  • Object Oriented Programming, 3%

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