Post job

Operating system programmer vs applications programmer

The differences between operating system programmers and applications programmers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-8 years to become both an operating system programmer and an applications programmer. Additionally, an applications programmer has an average salary of $85,133, which is higher than the $75,544 average annual salary of an operating system programmer.

The top three skills for an operating system programmer include CNC, technical support and calipers. The most important skills for an applications programmer are java, C++, and database.

Operating system programmer vs applications programmer overview

Operating System ProgrammerApplications Programmer
Yearly salary$75,544$85,133
Hourly rate$36.32$40.93
Growth rate-7%-7%
Number of jobs31,053215,240
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Average age4747
Years of experience88

Operating system programmer vs applications programmer salary

Operating system programmers and applications programmers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Operating System ProgrammerApplications Programmer
Average salary$75,544$85,133
Salary rangeBetween $53,000 And $107,000Between $64,000 And $112,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonWashington
Best paying companyNRG EnergyDropbox
Best paying industryEnergyFinance

Differences between operating system programmer and applications programmer education

There are a few differences between an operating system programmer and an applications programmer in terms of educational background:

Operating System ProgrammerApplications Programmer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Most common majorComputer ScienceComputer Science
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Operating system programmer vs applications programmer demographics

Here are the differences between operating system programmers' and applications programmers' demographics:

Operating System ProgrammerApplications Programmer
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 83.9% Female, 16.1%Male, 74.6% Female, 25.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.6% Asian, 15.1% White, 66.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.6% Asian, 16.4% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between operating system programmer and applications programmer duties and responsibilities

Operating system programmer example responsibilities.

  • Develop daily automate process to down data from UNIX box to Novell server.
  • Achieve improved efficiency and cost reduction goals through efforts and expertise provide in multiple LPAR eliminations and data center consolidations.
  • Used SAS computer language to merge large databases and samples to optimize cooperative database response rates.
  • Produce PDF, RTF and HTML files using SAS/ODS.
  • Program laser for part cutting.
  • Encode all daily man-hours to payroll system.
  • Show more

Applications programmer example responsibilities.

  • Document all programming work accomplish and develop initial testing for debugging purposes.
  • Develop different VBA macro tools to automate reporting and assure information accuracy, overlapping avoidance and management control.
  • Transform the server from UNIX system to Linux system.
  • Use XSL, HTML and CSS coding to present information from XML generate files to users.
  • Create validation logic and change jQuery functions to manipulate and submit form data using AJAX server calls.
  • Used AJAX to populate user interface controls such as drop down list and generate warning messages to enhance overall UI experience.
  • Show more

Operating system programmer vs applications programmer skills

Common operating system programmer skills
  • CNC, 11%
  • Technical Support, 6%
  • Calipers, 6%
  • Mainframe, 5%
  • PC, 5%
  • OS, 5%
Common applications programmer skills
  • Java, 9%
  • C++, 8%
  • Database, 7%
  • JavaScript, 7%
  • HTML, 4%
  • SQL Server, 4%

Browse computer and mathematical jobs