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The differences between junior java 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 a junior java developer and a lead developer. Additionally, a lead developer has an average salary of $116,340, which is higher than the $80,548 average annual salary of a junior java developer.
The top three skills for a junior java developer include java, javascript and spring boot. The most important skills for a lead developer are java, javascript, and architecture.
| Junior Java Developer | Lead Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $80,548 | $116,340 |
| Hourly rate | $38.73 | $55.93 |
| Growth rate | 13% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 154,647 | 274,208 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 84% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 37 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A junior java developer is primarily responsible for working on codes and data as part of an application or software development process. They mostly perform tasks delegated by managers, maintain records of all data and documentation, perform tests and inspections, coordinate with fellow developers, and identify any errors or inconsistencies. A junior java developer may also liaise with other departments, produce progress reports, and reach the manager's goals. Furthermore, In a company setting, it is essential to learn and adhere to its policies and regulations, including its vision and mission.
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.
Junior java developers and lead developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Junior Java Developer | Lead Developer | |
| Average salary | $80,548 | $116,340 |
| Salary range | Between $61,000 And $104,000 | Between $83,000 And $161,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | California |
| Best paying company | Barclays | Mayo Clinic |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Retail |
There are a few differences between a junior java developer and a lead developer in terms of educational background:
| Junior Java Developer | Lead Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 84% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between junior java developers' and lead developers' demographics:
| Junior Java Developer | Lead Developer | |
| Average age | 37 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 73.9% Female, 26.1% | Male, 76.4% Female, 23.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 6.5% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 16.2% White, 58.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | 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 | 9% | 8% |