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The differences between developers and lead 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 and a lead software developer. Additionally, a lead software developer has an average salary of $115,072, which is higher than the $100,076 average annual salary of a developer.
The top three skills for a developer include javascript, python and java. The most important skills for a lead software developer are java, architecture, and application development.
| Developer | Lead Software Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $100,076 | $115,072 |
| Hourly rate | $48.11 | $55.32 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 262,570 | 309,029 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Developers are usually system or application developers in a company who work on specific projects related to networks or applications from conception to implementation. They attend planning sessions to ensure that the program is feasible. They are responsible for designing the system through coding and basic user interface design. They also work on troubleshooting any challenges that may be met at the testing stage of the program's development. They solve challenges and ensure that minimal problems will arise upon publishing the system or application. They also manage the evaluation to ensure that the program's goals are accomplished and that the end-users are satisfied with the results.
A lead software developer is responsible for creating and designing software applications and systems to support business functions and client requirements. Lead software developers analyze specifications to build efficient applications, conduct multiple quality testing, and enhance the user's interface. They also coordinate with the design engineers to modify and improve the features of existing software applications for optimal performance. A lead software developer must have excellent communication and technical skills, especially in considering the current technology trends to meet demands.
Developers and lead software developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Developer | Lead Software Developer | |
| Average salary | $100,076 | $115,072 |
| Salary range | Between $76,000 And $131,000 | Between $87,000 And $151,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | - | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a developer and a lead software developer in terms of educational background:
| Developer | Lead Software Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between developers' and lead software developers' demographics:
| Developer | Lead Software Developer | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 74.9% Female, 25.1% | Male, 86.5% Female, 13.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.6% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 29.8% White, 52.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |