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The differences between product developers and software developers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 8-10 years to become a product developer, becoming a software developer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a product developer has an average salary of $88,629, which is higher than the $87,521 average annual salary of a software developer.
The top three skills for a product developer include product development, R and develop user. The most important skills for a software developer are java, python, and C++.
| Product Developer | Software Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $88,629 | $87,521 |
| Hourly rate | $42.61 | $42.08 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 147,035 | 294,329 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 10 | 4 |
A product developer is responsible for creating the designs of an industrial product based on the client's specifications and budget requirements. Product developers work closely with the whole design team to strategize and execute plans within the agreed timeframe. Product developers must be updated with the current industry trends, developing designs that would be competitive in the market, boosting the company's brand image to attract potential clients, and generate more revenues. A product developer should have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, as well as utilizing various software tools to create high-quality designs.
A software developer is responsible for designing application systems to support the user and business' needs. Duties of a software developer include testing software codes, performing diagnostic programs and troubleshooting, interpreting system data and establishing efficient parameters, and ensuring the compatibility of the systems. A software developer must have an excellent knowledge of computer programs and programming languages to understand its complexities, especially on detecting system defects and malfunctions. A software developer must have strong attention to detail, communication, and decision-making skills to coordinate with the team and also work independently under minimal supervision.
Product developers and software developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Product Developer | Software Developer | |
| Average salary | $88,629 | $87,521 |
| Salary range | Between $63,000 And $123,000 | Between $67,000 And $113,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | The Citadel | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Finance |
There are a few differences between a product developer and a software developer in terms of educational background:
| Product Developer | Software Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Science |
| Most common college | University of Georgia | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between product developers' and software developers' demographics:
| Product Developer | Software Developer | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 61.1% Female, 38.9% | Male, 79.3% Female, 20.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.0% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 8.2% White, 74.6% 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 | 10% | 8% |