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The differences between information technology applications developers and lead developers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an information technology applications developer and a lead developer. Additionally, a lead developer has an average salary of $116,340, which is higher than the $95,731 average annual salary of an information technology applications developer.
The top three skills for an information technology applications developer include java, application development and C++. The most important skills for a lead developer are java, javascript, and architecture.
| Information Technology Applications Developer | Lead Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $95,731 | $116,340 |
| Hourly rate | $46.02 | $55.93 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 234,643 | 274,208 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
An information technology applications developer is responsible for modifying and developing source code for software applications and debugging code. These applications developed and modified are aimed at supporting customers with computer tasks or programs. They also work closely with customers to develop new software applications and make modifications to existing applications to meet customers' needs. In addition, they also process the needs of users to customize software for computer programs, prototype application design, implement and test source code, and handle software applications troubleshooting.
A lead developer is responsible for creating software programs and applications, following the client and the business's software quality standards and design specifications. Lead developers assist a team of developers in implementing strategic procedures, managing system codes, debugging applications, running diagnostic tests, and troubleshooting defects to ensure its smooth performance. They also respond to clients' inquiries and concerns, performing feature adjustments as needed. A lead developer must have strong knowledge of the technology industry and command on programming languages and software design processes.
Information technology applications developers and lead developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Information Technology Applications Developer | Lead Developer | |
| Average salary | $95,731 | $116,340 |
| Salary range | Between $73,000 And $125,000 | Between $83,000 And $161,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Palo Alto Networks | Mayo Clinic |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Retail |
There are a few differences between an information technology applications developer and a lead developer in terms of educational background:
| Information Technology Applications Developer | Lead Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between information technology applications developers' and lead developers' demographics:
| Information Technology Applications Developer | Lead Developer | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 75.1% Female, 24.9% | Male, 76.4% Female, 23.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.0% Asian, 30.0% White, 52.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.5% 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% |