Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between principal developers and lead web 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 principal developer and a lead web developer. Additionally, a principal developer has an average salary of $126,772, which is higher than the $108,800 average annual salary of a lead web developer.
The top three skills for a principal developer include java, apis and architecture. The most important skills for a lead web developer are web application, javascript, and CSS.
| Principal Developer | Lead Web Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $126,772 | $108,800 |
| Hourly rate | $60.95 | $52.31 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 13% |
| Number of jobs | 303,930 | 250,411 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 39 | 37 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
In the information technology industry, a principal developer is in charge of spearheading software and application development projects. It is their duty to perform extensive research and analysis, set objectives and guidelines, establish budgets and timelines, lead the planning and implementation stages, and develop strategies to optimize operations. They must also maintain an active communication line with staff to resolve issues should any arise. Moreover, as a principal developer, they must monitor the projects' workflow to ensure that everything runs smoothly and efficiently.
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.
Principal developers and lead web developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Principal Developer | Lead Web Developer | |
| Average salary | $126,772 | $108,800 |
| Salary range | Between $96,000 And $166,000 | Between $84,000 And $140,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | First Republic Bank | |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Professional |
There are a few differences between a principal developer and a lead web developer in terms of educational background:
| Principal Developer | Lead Web Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between principal developers' and lead web developers' demographics:
| Principal Developer | Lead Web Developer | |
| Average age | 39 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 80.3% Female, 19.7% | Male, 81.3% Female, 18.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.6% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 29.8% White, 52.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 9% |