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The differences between developer/consultants and software developers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a developer/consultant and a software developer. Additionally, a developer/consultant has an average salary of $98,508, which is higher than the $87,521 average annual salary of a software developer.
The top three skills for a developer/consultant include java, project management and javascript. The most important skills for a software developer are java, python, and C++.
| Developer/Consultant | Software Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $98,508 | $87,521 |
| Hourly rate | $47.36 | $42.08 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 257,985 | 294,329 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A developer/consultant is responsible for developing system databases and applications, depending on the business' needs and clients' specifications. Developers/consultants design their services to manage optimal performance and maximize productivity for timely submission of projects, ensuring client satisfaction and loyalty. They also handle clients' inquiries and concerns, informing them about necessary adjustments to improve strategic procedures and processes. A developer/consultant must have excellent communication and analytical skills, as well as extensive experience with the technology industry.
A software developer is responsible for designing application systems to support the user and business' needs. Duties of a software developer include testing software codes, performing diagnostic programs and troubleshooting, interpreting system data and establishing efficient parameters, and ensuring the compatibility of the systems. A software developer must have an excellent knowledge of computer programs and programming languages to understand its complexities, especially on detecting system defects and malfunctions. A software developer must have strong attention to detail, communication, and decision-making skills to coordinate with the team and also work independently under minimal supervision.
Developer/consultants and software developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Developer/Consultant | Software Developer | |
| Average salary | $98,508 | $87,521 |
| Salary range | Between $71,000 And $135,000 | Between $67,000 And $113,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | California |
| Best paying company | Microsoft | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Finance |
There are a few differences between a developer/consultant and a software developer in terms of educational background:
| Developer/Consultant | Software Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between developer/consultants' and software developers' demographics:
| Developer/Consultant | Software Developer | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 58.5% Female, 41.5% | Male, 79.3% Female, 20.7% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 4.5% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 29.9% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |