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The differences between sap/abap developers and software consultants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-8 years to become a sap/abap developer, becoming a software consultant takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a sap/abap developer has an average salary of $104,432, which is higher than the $88,605 average annual salary of a software consultant.
The top three skills for a sap/abap developer include java, sap abap and sap hana. The most important skills for a software consultant are web application, database, and java.
| Sap/Abap Developer | Software Consultant | |
| Yearly salary | $104,432 | $88,605 |
| Hourly rate | $50.21 | $42.60 |
| Growth rate | -7% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 92,478 | 275,746 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 47 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 4 |
An SAP/ABAP developer is responsible for designing and creating software programs and applications through the SAP and ABAP programming codes. They conduct multiple diagnostic tests for newly-created and existing applications to ensure adherence to quality standards and requirements. They also provide technical resolution to end-users for their system issues and upgrade infrastructure to prevent the reoccurrence of downtimes and system failures. An SAP/ABAP developer must have excellent communication and technical skills, especially in evaluating features for smooth navigation and operations.
A software consultant is responsible for monitoring and maintaining the technological content and system applications of an organization, ensuring its efficiency and optimal performance. Software consultants design software systems, following clients' specifications and business needs. They must have excellent knowledge of the technology systems, programming languages, and system codes to create software processes and manage the network systems. A software consultant runs multiple diagnostic tests and creates troubleshooting reports for technical support reference.
Sap/abap developers and software consultants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Sap/Abap Developer | Software Consultant | |
| Average salary | $104,432 | $88,605 |
| Salary range | Between $79,000 And $137,000 | Between $68,000 And $115,000 |
| Highest paying City | Sunnyvale, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | New York |
| Best paying company | Zulily | Silver Peak |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a sap/abap developer and a software consultant in terms of educational background:
| Sap/Abap Developer | Software Consultant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between sap/abap developers' and software consultants' demographics:
| Sap/Abap Developer | Software Consultant | |
| Average age | 47 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 73.4% Female, 26.6% | Male, 75.3% Female, 24.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 7.2% Asian, 25.3% White, 58.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 29.8% White, 52.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 8% |