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The differences between senior web application 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 web application developer and a lead software developer. Additionally, a lead software developer has an average salary of $115,072, 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 software developer are java, architecture, and application development.
| Senior Web Application Developer | Lead Software Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $100,403 | $115,072 |
| Hourly rate | $48.27 | $55.32 |
| Growth rate | 13% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 181,779 | 309,029 |
| 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 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 web application developers and lead software developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Web Application Developer | Lead Software Developer | |
| Average salary | $100,403 | $115,072 |
| Salary range | Between $79,000 And $127,000 | Between $87,000 And $151,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a senior web application developer and a lead software developer in terms of educational background:
| Senior Web Application Developer | Lead Software 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 | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between senior web application developers' and lead software developers' demographics:
| Senior Web Application Developer | Lead Software Developer | |
| Average age | 37 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 85.0% Female, 15.0% | Male, 86.5% Female, 13.5% |
| 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, 4.3% 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% |