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The differences between game programmers and web application 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 a web application developer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a game programmer has an average salary of $94,000, which is higher than the $85,840 average annual salary of a web application developer.
The top three skills for a game programmer include unreal engine, game development and math. The most important skills for a web application developer are javascript, web application, and CSS.
| Game Programmer | Web Application Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $94,000 | $85,840 |
| Hourly rate | $45.19 | $41.27 |
| Growth rate | -7% | 13% |
| Number of jobs | 186,952 | 229,802 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 47 | 37 |
| 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.
A web application developer is responsible for designing website and system applications following clients' specifications and business' needs. Web application developers utilize their expertise in programming languages and system codes, ensuring the efficiency and smooth navigation of the website. They also run multiple diagnostic tests on the output before release, identifying inconsistencies, and addressing incompatibilities on browsers and devices. A web application developer should be detail-oriented and highly-technical as this job requires excellent digital knowledge to manage complex systems.
Game programmers and web application developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Game Programmer | Web Application Developer | |
| Average salary | $94,000 | $85,840 |
| Salary range | Between $65,000 And $134,000 | Between $66,000 And $110,000 |
| Highest paying City | Novato, CA | Fairfield, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | Meta | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Finance |
There are a few differences between a game programmer and a web application developer in terms of educational background:
| Game Programmer | Web Application 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 web application developers' demographics:
| Game Programmer | Web Application Developer | |
| Average age | 47 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.8% Female, 10.2% | Male, 80.9% Female, 19.1% |
| 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, 6.5% Unknown, 6.5% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 16.1% White, 58.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 9% |