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The differences between mainframe developers and web developers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-8 years to become a mainframe developer, becoming a web developer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a mainframe developer has an average salary of $90,902, which is higher than the $78,975 average annual salary of a web developer.
The top three skills for a mainframe developer include DB2, JCL and CICS. The most important skills for a web developer are javascript, html css, and HTML.
| Mainframe Developer | Web Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $90,902 | $78,975 |
| Hourly rate | $43.70 | $37.97 |
| Growth rate | -7% | 13% |
| Number of jobs | 255,034 | 227,881 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 47 | 37 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 4 |
A mainframe developer specializes in designing and developing information technology systems. Their responsibilities include performing system installations and modifications, creating test structures, gathering and analyzing data, conducting risk assessments, providing support for project requirements, and implementing plans such as disaster recovery and interface layout. They may also investigate client feedback, troubleshoot issues, and perform systems repairs as needed. Furthermore, as a mainframe developer, it is essential to maintain regular maintenance checks, providing technical support and guidelines to company employees.
A web developer is responsible for designing and maintaining a website to attract customers and direct web traffic. Web developers' duty also includes analyzing software and database to develop new applications. A web developer must have extensive knowledge of programming languages and technology solutions to provide the best web design services for the clients, following their specifications, and submitting projects on or before the deadline. Web developers should have excellent time-management and decision-making skills to do tasks efficiently and accurately.
Mainframe developers and web developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Mainframe Developer | Web Developer | |
| Average salary | $90,902 | $78,975 |
| Salary range | Between $70,000 And $117,000 | Between $60,000 And $103,000 |
| Highest paying City | Sacramento, CA | Bothell, WA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | Meta | |
| Best paying industry | Insurance | Professional |
There are a few differences between a mainframe developer and a web developer in terms of educational background:
| Mainframe Developer | Web Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between mainframe developers' and web developers' demographics:
| Mainframe Developer | Web Developer | |
| Average age | 47 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 73.6% Female, 26.4% | Male, 78.2% Female, 21.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 7.3% Asian, 26.0% White, 58.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 6.5% Hispanic or Latino, 12.0% Asian, 15.9% White, 58.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 9% |