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The differences between scientific programmers and web application 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 scientific programmer, becoming a web application developer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a web application developer has an average salary of $85,840, which is higher than the $83,969 average annual salary of a scientific programmer.
The top three skills for a scientific programmer include python, visualization and linux. The most important skills for a web application developer are javascript, web application, and CSS.
| Scientific Programmer | Web Application Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $83,969 | $85,840 |
| Hourly rate | $40.37 | $41.27 |
| Growth rate | -7% | 13% |
| Number of jobs | 120,563 | 229,802 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 47 | 37 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 4 |
Scientific programmers are professionals who meet with scientists and researchers to determine and understand their program needs. By using their skills in scientific programming, these programmers must write programs from scratch or create by extensively customizing existing tools. They are required to work with senior programmers so that they can enhance their application development knowledge and skills. They must also assist in product testing with research students and collaborate with design engineers and production technicians when conducting system troubleshooting.
A web application developer is responsible for designing website and system applications following clients' specifications and business' needs. Web application developers utilize their expertise in programming languages and system codes, ensuring the efficiency and smooth navigation of the website. They also run multiple diagnostic tests on the output before release, identifying inconsistencies, and addressing incompatibilities on browsers and devices. A web application developer should be detail-oriented and highly-technical as this job requires excellent digital knowledge to manage complex systems.
Scientific programmers and web application developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Scientific Programmer | Web Application Developer | |
| Average salary | $83,969 | $85,840 |
| Salary range | Between $57,000 And $122,000 | Between $66,000 And $110,000 |
| Highest paying City | Newark, CA | Fairfield, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Tech Data | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Finance |
There are a few differences between a scientific programmer and a web application developer in terms of educational background:
| Scientific Programmer | Web Application 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 scientific programmers' and web application developers' demographics:
| Scientific Programmer | Web Application Developer | |
| Average age | 47 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 81.4% Female, 18.6% | Male, 80.9% Female, 19.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 19.1% White, 62.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 6.5% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 16.1% White, 58.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 9% |