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The differences between mobile app 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 mobile app developer and a lead developer. Additionally, a lead developer has an average salary of $116,340, which is higher than the $99,840 average annual salary of a mobile app developer.
The top three skills for a mobile app developer include java, javascript and react native. The most important skills for a lead developer are java, javascript, and architecture.
| Mobile APP Developer | Lead Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $99,840 | $116,340 |
| Hourly rate | $48.00 | $55.93 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 241,509 | 274,208 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A mobile app developer is primarily in charge of designing and developing applications for mobile devices. Typically working with a team, the responsibilities of a mobile app developer include planning new systems, generating codes, creating test structures for applications, troubleshooting, fixing bugs, and executing upgrades and modifications. They must also monitor client feedbacks on existing applications, performing corrective measures or adjustments as needed. Furthermore, as a mobile app developer, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with team members, coordinating every step of the way.
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.
Mobile app developers and lead developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Mobile APP Developer | Lead Developer | |
| Average salary | $99,840 | $116,340 |
| Salary range | Between $75,000 And $131,000 | Between $83,000 And $161,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | Mayo Clinic |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Retail |
There are a few differences between a mobile app developer and a lead developer in terms of educational background:
| Mobile APP Developer | Lead Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between mobile app developers' and lead developers' demographics:
| Mobile APP Developer | Lead Developer | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 82.0% Female, 18.0% | Male, 76.4% Female, 23.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 29.9% White, 52.5% 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% |