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The differences between sap/abap developers and systems programmers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-8 years to become both a sap/abap developer and a systems programmer. Additionally, a sap/abap developer has an average salary of $104,432, which is higher than the $96,017 average annual salary of a systems programmer.
The top three skills for a sap/abap developer include java, sap abap and sap hana. The most important skills for a systems programmer are provide technical assistance, video conferencing, and C++.
| Sap/Abap Developer | Systems Programmer | |
| Yearly salary | $104,432 | $96,017 |
| Hourly rate | $50.21 | $46.16 |
| Growth rate | -7% | -7% |
| Number of jobs | 92,478 | 257,681 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 8 |
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 systems programmer is responsible for managing and installing software systems and applications to the company's computer networks to support the efficiency of business functions and operations. Systems programmers coordinate with the systems analyst to conduct quality checks and running configuration tests to ensure the stability of applications and avoid downtimes. They also create resolution reports, design servers, and upgrade network infrastructure as often as needed. A systems programmer must have excellent communication and technical skills, especially the expert command of programming languages and codes.
Sap/abap developers and systems programmers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Sap/Abap Developer | Systems Programmer | |
| Average salary | $104,432 | $96,017 |
| Salary range | Between $79,000 And $137,000 | Between $66,000 And $138,000 |
| Highest paying City | Sunnyvale, CA | Novato, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Zulily | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Finance |
There are a few differences between a sap/abap developer and a systems programmer in terms of educational background:
| Sap/Abap Developer | Systems Programmer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| 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 systems programmers' demographics:
| Sap/Abap Developer | Systems Programmer | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 73.4% Female, 26.6% | Male, 84.0% Female, 16.0% |
| 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, 5.2% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 14.9% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |