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The differences between program development specialists and software 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 program development specialist and a software developer. Additionally, a software developer has an average salary of $87,521, which is higher than the $53,724 average annual salary of a program development specialist.
The top three skills for a program development specialist include HR, youth development and child care. The most important skills for a software developer are java, python, and C++.
| Program Development Specialist | Software Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $53,724 | $87,521 |
| Hourly rate | $25.83 | $42.08 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 153,090 | 294,329 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 44 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Program development specialists require excellent oral and written communication skills, as well as skills in decision-making and organization. Computer proficiency and awareness of the latest technological trends and advancements are also helpful. This career will call for the improvement of educational quality in schools, as well as curriculum planning, textbook choice, teacher training, and the creation of programs for extracurricular activities.
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.
Program development specialists and software developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Program Development Specialist | Software Developer | |
| Average salary | $53,724 | $87,521 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $83,000 | Between $67,000 And $113,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | California |
| Best paying company | RingCentral | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Education | Finance |
There are a few differences between a program development specialist and a software developer in terms of educational background:
| Program Development Specialist | Software Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between program development specialists' and software developers' demographics:
| Program Development Specialist | Software Developer | |
| Average age | 44 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 29.2% Female, 70.8% | Male, 79.3% Female, 20.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 6.5% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 6.3% White, 58.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | 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 | 12% | 8% |