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The differences between game developers and mobile app 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 game developer and a mobile app developer. Additionally, a mobile app developer has an average salary of $99,840, which is higher than the $91,009 average annual salary of a game developer.
The top three skills for a game developer include unity, game development and game engine. The most important skills for a mobile app developer are java, javascript, and react native.
| Game Developer | Mobile APP Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $91,009 | $99,840 |
| Hourly rate | $43.75 | $48.00 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 173,596 | 241,509 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Game developers are professionals who are responsible for designing and producing video games for computers, mobile devices, or game consoles by taking the concept of video game designers and turning them into playable games. By using their background in software development and mathematics, game developers must work with teams to create visual content for a game and writing code to implement all the game's features and functionality. They are required to handle new game feature requests and make improvements to the game even after production. Game developers must also demonstrate their skills in artificial programming intelligence for non-player characters.
A mobile app developer is primarily in charge of designing and developing applications for mobile devices. Typically working with a team, the responsibilities of a mobile app developer include planning new systems, generating codes, creating test structures for applications, troubleshooting, fixing bugs, and executing upgrades and modifications. They must also monitor client feedbacks on existing applications, performing corrective measures or adjustments as needed. Furthermore, as a mobile app developer, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with team members, coordinating every step of the way.
Game developers and mobile app developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Game Developer | Mobile APP Developer | |
| Average salary | $91,009 | $99,840 |
| Salary range | Between $64,000 And $127,000 | Between $75,000 And $131,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Microsoft | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a game developer and a mobile app developer in terms of educational background:
| Game Developer | Mobile APP Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between game developers' and mobile app developers' demographics:
| Game Developer | Mobile APP Developer | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.7% Female, 12.3% | Male, 82.0% Female, 18.0% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 4.4% 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% |