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The differences between senior java developers and lead software developers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a senior java developer and a lead software developer. Additionally, a lead software developer has an average salary of $115,072, which is higher than the $106,767 average annual salary of a senior java developer.
The top three skills for a senior java developer include java, spring boot and database. The most important skills for a lead software developer are java, architecture, and application development.
| Senior Java Developer | Lead Software Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $106,767 | $115,072 |
| Hourly rate | $51.33 | $55.32 |
| Growth rate | 13% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 248,350 | 309,029 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 37 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A senior java developer's responsibilities will vary upon the industry or preference of a client. Aside from developing programs and applications, the tasks will also revolve around leading a team and overseeing the project's progress, coordinating with every workforce member, conducting extensive research, testing, and analysis, troubleshooting, and designing. It is also essential to detect and resolve issues as soon as possible, implement guidelines, keep detailed documentation about the project, and devise strategies to improve the workforce and workflow.
A lead software developer is responsible for creating and designing software applications and systems to support business functions and client requirements. Lead software developers analyze specifications to build efficient applications, conduct multiple quality testing, and enhance the user's interface. They also coordinate with the design engineers to modify and improve the features of existing software applications for optimal performance. A lead software developer must have excellent communication and technical skills, especially in considering the current technology trends to meet demands.
Senior java developers and lead software developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Java Developer | Lead Software Developer | |
| Average salary | $106,767 | $115,072 |
| Salary range | Between $82,000 And $137,000 | Between $87,000 And $151,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Flexion Therapeutics | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a senior java developer and a lead software developer in terms of educational background:
| Senior Java Developer | Lead Software Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | - | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between senior java developers' and lead software developers' demographics:
| Senior Java Developer | Lead Software Developer | |
| Average age | 37 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 74.6% Female, 25.4% | Male, 86.5% Female, 13.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 6.5% Hispanic or Latino, 12.0% Asian, 16.0% White, 58.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 30.0% White, 52.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 8% |