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The differences between senior information technology developers and senior leaders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a senior information technology developer, becoming a senior leader takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a senior leader has an average salary of $114,328, which is higher than the $108,906 average annual salary of a senior information technology developer.
The top three skills for a senior information technology developer include java, software development and spring boot. The most important skills for a senior leader are java, project management, and architecture.
| Senior Information Technology Developer | Senior Leader | |
| Yearly salary | $108,906 | $114,328 |
| Hourly rate | $52.36 | $54.97 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 334,136 | 214,805 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Average age | 39 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
Senior information technology (IT) developers are IT management professionals who are responsible for writing code and contribute to the design and implementation of software programs. These developers must collaborate with department managers to plan the layout and set up custom department sites while compiling departmental information. They must nurture a team of talented professionals to further accelerate application development, support maintenance, and product evolution. Senior IT developers must also use web services to implement automation of the business process and reduce redundancy.
A senior leader specializes in overseeing the business operations and work progress within a particular department or office. Focusing on the workflow and the workforce, they are in charge of assessing performances and motivating staff to meet goals and stay within the allotted time and budget. They may also participate in the hiring and training of new employees, utilizing their talents and shaping them into valuable members of the workforce, all while implementing company rules and regulations.
Senior information technology developers and senior leaders have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Information Technology Developer | Senior Leader | |
| Average salary | $108,906 | $114,328 |
| Salary range | Between $84,000 And $140,000 | Between $80,000 And $162,000 |
| Highest paying City | Palo Alto, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Zendesk | Airbnb |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Finance |
There are a few differences between a senior information technology developer and a senior leader in terms of educational background:
| Senior Information Technology Developer | Senior Leader | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between senior information technology developers' and senior leaders' demographics:
| Senior Information Technology Developer | Senior Leader | |
| Average age | 39 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 81.8% Female, 18.2% | Male, 71.2% Female, 28.8% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.0% Asian, 14.6% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |