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The differences between mobile applications developers and systems developers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a mobile applications developer, becoming a systems developer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a mobile applications developer has an average salary of $99,257, which is higher than the $97,230 average annual salary of a systems developer.
The top three skills for a mobile applications developer include java, C++ and mobile development. The most important skills for a systems developer are java, python, and C++.
| Mobile Applications Developer | Systems Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $99,257 | $97,230 |
| Hourly rate | $47.72 | $46.75 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 252,254 | 322,419 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 39 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
A mobile application developer is responsible for designing programming applications for mobile devices according to clients' specifications and business demands. Mobile application developers must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, as well as computer system commands to develop efficient scripts and smooth navigation of operating systems. They analyze the clients' needs and recommend application solutions within their budget limitations and timeframe. A mobile application developer identifies inconsistencies and glitches with the output before submission to ensure its stability and optimal performance.
A Systems Developer is responsible for designing and creating software applications and server programs to support business requirements and client specifications. System Developers run multiple diagnostic tests to the systems to ensure performance and stability and revise scripts for optimization as needed. They also evaluate and improve existing networks, develop infrastructure, and set configuration. A Systems Developer must have excellent communication and technical skills, as well as a strong command of programming languages and system codes to identify network structures and operating systems.
Mobile applications developers and systems developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Mobile Applications Developer | Systems Developer | |
| Average salary | $99,257 | $97,230 |
| Salary range | Between $75,000 And $130,000 | Between $73,000 And $129,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld | |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Hospitality |
There are a few differences between a mobile applications developer and a systems developer in terms of educational background:
| Mobile Applications Developer | Systems Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | 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 mobile applications developers' and systems developers' demographics:
| Mobile Applications Developer | Systems Developer | |
| Average age | 39 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 82.5% Female, 17.5% | Male, 76.5% Female, 23.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 29.8% White, 52.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.9% Asian, 16.6% White, 57.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |