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The differences between senior web application developers and lead 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 web application developer and a lead developer. Additionally, a lead developer has an average salary of $116,340, which is higher than the $100,403 average annual salary of a senior web application developer.
The top three skills for a senior web application developer include java, web application and scrum. The most important skills for a lead developer are java, javascript, and architecture.
| Senior Web Application Developer | Lead Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $100,403 | $116,340 |
| Hourly rate | $48.27 | $55.93 |
| Growth rate | 13% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 181,779 | 274,208 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 37 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A senior web application developer is responsible for designing and creating website servers and system applications to support business functions and operations or according to the client's specifications. Senior web application developers must have an excellent command of programming languages to write and configure codes that would operate the website and ensure smooth navigation. They work closely with a group of web analysts and engineers to strategize techniques for user requirements and perform quality checks to identify and resolve the website's gaps.
A lead developer is responsible for creating software programs and applications, following the client and the business's software quality standards and design specifications. Lead developers assist a team of developers in implementing strategic procedures, managing system codes, debugging applications, running diagnostic tests, and troubleshooting defects to ensure its smooth performance. They also respond to clients' inquiries and concerns, performing feature adjustments as needed. A lead developer must have strong knowledge of the technology industry and command on programming languages and software design processes.
Senior web application developers and lead developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Web Application Developer | Lead Developer | |
| Average salary | $100,403 | $116,340 |
| Salary range | Between $79,000 And $127,000 | Between $83,000 And $161,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman | Mayo Clinic |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Retail |
There are a few differences between a senior web application developer and a lead developer in terms of educational background:
| Senior Web Application Developer | Lead Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between senior web application developers' and lead developers' demographics:
| Senior Web Application Developer | Lead Developer | |
| Average age | 37 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 85.0% Female, 15.0% | Male, 76.4% Female, 23.6% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 4.5% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 29.9% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 8% |