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Project manager, lead developer vs systems developer

The differences between project managers, lead developer and systems developers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a project manager, lead developer, becoming a systems developer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a project manager, lead developer has an average salary of $106,238, which is higher than the $97,230 average annual salary of a systems developer.

The top three skills for a project manager, lead developer include software development, java and javascript. The most important skills for a systems developer are java, python, and C++.

Project manager, lead developer vs systems developer overview

Project Manager, Lead DeveloperSystems Developer
Yearly salary$106,238$97,230
Hourly rate$51.08$46.75
Growth rate21%9%
Number of jobs312,680322,419
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age3943
Years of experience46

Project manager, lead developer vs systems developer salary

Project managers, lead developer and systems developers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Project Manager, Lead DeveloperSystems Developer
Average salary$106,238$97,230
Salary rangeBetween $79,000 And $141,000Between $73,000 And $129,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaMassachusetts
Best paying companyRobert HalfAkin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld
Best paying industryInternetHospitality

Differences between project manager, lead developer and systems developer education

There are a few differences between a project manager, lead developer and a systems developer in terms of educational background:

Project Manager, Lead DeveloperSystems Developer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common majorComputer ScienceComputer Science
Most common collegeStanford UniversityMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Project manager, lead developer vs systems developer demographics

Here are the differences between project managers, lead developer' and systems developers' demographics:

Project Manager, Lead DeveloperSystems Developer
Average age3943
Gender ratioMale, 80.5% Female, 19.5%Male, 76.5% Female, 23.5%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.9% Asian, 16.6% White, 57.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between project manager, lead developer and systems developer duties and responsibilities

Project manager, lead developer example responsibilities.

  • Configure and manage JGroup multicasting communication for apache tomcat web servers.
  • Create build and deployment process for continuous up-time java web application on Linux servers.
  • Deliver a complete JavaScript - base game with JQuery.
  • Add JavaScript menu system and ASP.net controls pulling from XML data sources.
  • Revamp multiple external websites to meet current web standards using CSS and AJAX.
  • Spear-Head the creation of a stand alone CMS using MVC model and PHP / MySQl.
  • Show more

Systems developer example responsibilities.

  • Lead adoption of SSRS as a reporting platform.
  • Manage numerous data migrations, application migrations, and API development efforts.
  • Develop a client/server database system using PHP, MySQL for managing ISP user accounts.
  • Develop performance AJAX applications to achieve cross browser functionality.
  • Create a completely automate and fully manage desktop management solution.
  • Implement Ajax call using jQuery to transfer JSON data between server side and front end.
  • Show more

Project manager, lead developer vs systems developer skills

Common project manager, lead developer skills
  • Software Development, 8%
  • Java, 7%
  • JavaScript, 6%
  • Scrum, 6%
  • Application Development, 5%
  • Web Application, 5%
Common systems developer skills
  • Java, 12%
  • Python, 8%
  • C++, 8%
  • JavaScript, 4%
  • SQL Server, 4%
  • Linux, 3%

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