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The differences between junior programmers and senior programmers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-8 years to become both a junior programmer and a senior programmer. Additionally, a senior programmer has an average salary of $105,509, which is higher than the $61,448 average annual salary of a junior programmer.
The top three skills for a junior programmer include C++, javascript and web application. The most important skills for a senior programmer are macro, SAS, and database.
| Junior Programmer | Senior Programmer | |
| Yearly salary | $61,448 | $105,509 |
| Hourly rate | $29.54 | $50.73 |
| Growth rate | -7% | -7% |
| Number of jobs | 215,345 | 209,882 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 8 |
Junior programmers are entry-level professionals who are responsible for designing and implementing computer software that meets the needs of internal and external clients. Under the supervision of the IT director and development coordinator, these programmers must work with a team to develop specifications and write software applications. They are required to write code, test, and troubleshoot programs that utilize database and programming technology. Junior programmers must also consult users to analyze the performance of programs and take actions to correct deficiencies.
A Senior Programmer develops operations solutions through guiding the development of program specifications and leading programmers. They develop, test, and implement IT solutions.
Junior programmers and senior programmers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Junior Programmer | Senior Programmer | |
| Average salary | $61,448 | $105,509 |
| Salary range | Between $45,000 And $82,000 | Between $78,000 And $141,000 |
| Highest paying City | Redwood City, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | PlayStation | Cornerstone Research |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a junior programmer and a senior programmer in terms of educational background:
| Junior Programmer | Senior Programmer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between junior programmers' and senior programmers' demographics:
| Junior Programmer | Senior Programmer | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 71.6% Female, 28.4% | Male, 81.0% Female, 19.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 17.6% White, 63.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 19.2% White, 62.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |