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The differences between game programmers and applications developers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-8 years to become a game programmer, becoming an applications developer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a game programmer has an average salary of $94,000, which is higher than the $89,205 average annual salary of an applications developer.
The top three skills for a game programmer include unreal engine, game development and math. The most important skills for an applications developer are java, javascript, and C++.
| Game Programmer | Applications Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $94,000 | $89,205 |
| Hourly rate | $45.19 | $42.89 |
| Growth rate | -7% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 186,952 | 279,877 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 47 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 4 |
A game programmer is a type of software engineer who works in the gaming industry. They write code for games and work closely with other departments like game design and animation. If they are the lead programmer, they may be expected to assign jobs and manage the whole development process. If they are not the lead, they may be expected to develop codes so the game has 2D and 3D graphics.
An application developer is responsible for creating program applications for devices based on clients' specifications and business needs. Application developers must have excellent knowledge of computer systems, as well as a strong command of programming languages to develop customized programs. Duties of an application developer also include running diagnostic tests to ensure the application's performance and stability, providing instruction manuals for reference, performing troubleshooting for any inconsistencies, upgrading design codes for optimization, and launching the application following the client's timetable.
Game programmers and applications developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Game Programmer | Applications Developer | |
| Average salary | $94,000 | $89,205 |
| Salary range | Between $65,000 And $134,000 | Between $67,000 And $118,000 |
| Highest paying City | Novato, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | Meta | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Finance |
There are a few differences between a game programmer and an applications developer in terms of educational background:
| Game Programmer | Applications Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between game programmers' and applications developers' demographics:
| Game Programmer | Applications Developer | |
| Average age | 47 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.8% Female, 10.2% | Male, 77.0% Female, 23.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 19.4% White, 62.2% 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 | 11% | 8% |