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The differences between programmers and development engineers 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 a development engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a development engineer has an average salary of $93,206, 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 a development engineer are java, python, and software development.
| Programmer | Development Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $73,007 | $93,206 |
| Hourly rate | $35.10 | $44.81 |
| Growth rate | -7% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 234,565 | 224,881 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 47 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 6 |
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.
A Development Engineer is responsible for the development and validation of products, systems, and components. They are also responsible for quality control of work and continuous improvement of engineer activities.
Programmers and development engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Programmer | Development Engineer | |
| Average salary | $73,007 | $93,206 |
| Salary range | Between $54,000 And $98,000 | Between $70,000 And $122,000 |
| Highest paying City | Bothell, WA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | Mayo Clinic | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Technology |
There are a few differences between a programmer and a development engineer in terms of educational background:
| Programmer | Development Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between programmers' and development engineers' demographics:
| Programmer | Development Engineer | |
| Average age | 47 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 74.4% Female, 25.6% | Male, 85.5% Female, 14.5% |
| 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, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 16.7% White, 67.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 5% |