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The differences between senior software engineers 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 software engineer and a lead software developer. Additionally, a lead software developer has an average salary of $115,072, which is higher than the $114,494 average annual salary of a senior software engineer.
The top three skills for a senior software engineer include java, python and javascript. The most important skills for a lead software developer are java, architecture, and application development.
| Senior Software Engineer | Lead Software Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $114,494 | $115,072 |
| Hourly rate | $55.05 | $55.32 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 338,989 | 309,029 |
| Job satisfaction | 3 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Senior software engineers are experienced employees who would usually take the lead in projects related to software development. They are in charge of determining the needs of the organization, checking whether there are feasible solutions to challenges, and creating plans for the development of a software solution. They provide a sound analysis of data collected during the testing phase of the software and address any problems during the software development phase. Once the software has been developed, they then ensure that it works well and that it addresses the needs and expectations of the users.
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 software engineers and lead software developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Software Engineer | Lead Software Developer | |
| Average salary | $114,494 | $115,072 |
| Salary range | Between $86,000 And $151,000 | Between $87,000 And $151,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | The Citadel | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a senior software engineer and a lead software developer in terms of educational background:
| Senior Software Engineer | Lead Software Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between senior software engineers' and lead software developers' demographics:
| Senior Software Engineer | Lead Software Developer | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 81.4% Female, 18.6% | Male, 86.5% Female, 13.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 31.8% White, 50.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | 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 | 8% | 8% |