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The differences between lead web developers and software 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 lead web developer and a software developer. Additionally, a lead web developer has an average salary of $108,800, which is higher than the $87,521 average annual salary of a software developer.
The top three skills for a lead web developer include web application, javascript and CSS. The most important skills for a software developer are java, python, and C++.
| Lead Web Developer | Software Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $108,800 | $87,521 |
| Hourly rate | $52.31 | $42.08 |
| Growth rate | 13% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 250,411 | 294,329 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 37 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A lead web developer is in charge of spearheading the development of web applications and systems. In a company setting, their responsibilities include managing a team of developers, identifying and understanding project requirements, heading the planning and execution stages, setting objectives and timelines, establishing guidelines, delegating tasks, and providing technical support and guidance to staff. They must also respond to issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently. Moreover, being the lead web developer, they must encourage teams to reach goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
A software developer is responsible for designing application systems to support the user and business' needs. Duties of a software developer include testing software codes, performing diagnostic programs and troubleshooting, interpreting system data and establishing efficient parameters, and ensuring the compatibility of the systems. A software developer must have an excellent knowledge of computer programs and programming languages to understand its complexities, especially on detecting system defects and malfunctions. A software developer must have strong attention to detail, communication, and decision-making skills to coordinate with the team and also work independently under minimal supervision.
Lead web developers and software developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lead Web Developer | Software Developer | |
| Average salary | $108,800 | $87,521 |
| Salary range | Between $84,000 And $140,000 | Between $67,000 And $113,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | First Republic Bank | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Finance |
There are a few differences between a lead web developer and a software developer in terms of educational background:
| Lead Web Developer | Software Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between lead web developers' and software developers' demographics:
| Lead Web Developer | Software Developer | |
| Average age | 37 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 81.3% Female, 18.7% | Male, 79.3% Female, 20.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 6.5% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 15.7% White, 58.5% 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% |