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The differences between gis developers and systems developers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a gis developer, becoming a systems developer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a gis developer has an average salary of $100,464, which is higher than the $97,230 average annual salary of a systems developer.
The top three skills for a gis developer include esri, C++ and arcgis server. The most important skills for a systems developer are java, python, and C++.
| GIS Developer | Systems Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $100,464 | $97,230 |
| Hourly rate | $48.30 | $46.75 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 82,279 | 322,419 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 39 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
A GIS developer, also known as a geographic information system developer, specializes in designing and creating applications and software that gathers and features geographic data from different locations. In some industries, a GIS developer may also have the task of analyzing aerial imagery, developing databases and maps, and creating tools to facilitate various programs and projects. Additionally, a GIS developer usually works as a member of a software development team, which requires an open communication line for an efficient workflow.
A Systems Developer is responsible for designing and creating software applications and server programs to support business requirements and client specifications. System Developers run multiple diagnostic tests to the systems to ensure performance and stability and revise scripts for optimization as needed. They also evaluate and improve existing networks, develop infrastructure, and set configuration. A Systems Developer must have excellent communication and technical skills, as well as a strong command of programming languages and system codes to identify network structures and operating systems.
Gis developers and systems developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| GIS Developer | Systems Developer | |
| Average salary | $100,464 | $97,230 |
| Salary range | Between $71,000 And $140,000 | Between $73,000 And $129,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Vermont | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Pacific Gas and Electric | Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Hospitality |
There are a few differences between a gis developer and a systems developer in terms of educational background:
| GIS Developer | Systems Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Geography | Computer Science |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between gis developers' and systems developers' demographics:
| GIS Developer | Systems Developer | |
| Average age | 39 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 84.3% Female, 15.7% | Male, 76.5% Female, 23.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 29.7% White, 52.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.9% Asian, 16.6% White, 57.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |