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The differences between programmers and applications developers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-8 years to become a programmer, becoming an applications developer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an applications developer has an average salary of $89,205, which is higher than the $73,007 average annual salary of a programmer.
The top three skills for a programmer include java, javascript and CSS. The most important skills for an applications developer are java, javascript, and C++.
| Programmer | Applications Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $73,007 | $89,205 |
| Hourly rate | $35.10 | $42.89 |
| Growth rate | -7% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 234,565 | 279,877 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 47 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 4 |
Computer programmers provide assistance and services concerning computer applications and software programs. A computer programmer must be highly-knowledgeable on programming languages and operating systems to create projects and fix any malfunctions under minimal supervision. Computer programmers must have excellent communication and critical-thinking skills to analyze data and request assistance from a senior programmer as needed. They must also be keen on details to oversee possible faulty codes, troubleshooting problems, and upgrading systems to ensure that the program will perform smoothly and efficiently.
An application developer is responsible for creating program applications for devices based on clients' specifications and business needs. Application developers must have excellent knowledge of computer systems, as well as a strong command of programming languages to develop customized programs. Duties of an application developer also include running diagnostic tests to ensure the application's performance and stability, providing instruction manuals for reference, performing troubleshooting for any inconsistencies, upgrading design codes for optimization, and launching the application following the client's timetable.
Programmers and applications developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Programmer | Applications Developer | |
| Average salary | $73,007 | $89,205 |
| Salary range | Between $54,000 And $98,000 | Between $67,000 And $118,000 |
| Highest paying City | Bothell, WA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | Mayo Clinic | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Finance |
There are a few differences between a programmer and an applications developer in terms of educational background:
| Programmer | Applications Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between programmers' and applications developers' demographics:
| Programmer | Applications Developer | |
| Average age | 47 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 74.4% Female, 25.6% | Male, 77.0% Female, 23.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.5% Asian, 17.8% White, 64.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 29.9% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 8% |