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The differences between senior web application developers and 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 software developer. Additionally, a senior web application developer has an average salary of $100,403, which is higher than the $87,521 average annual salary of a software developer.
The top three skills for a senior web application developer include java, web application and scrum. The most important skills for a software developer are java, python, and C++.
| Senior Web Application Developer | Software Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $100,403 | $87,521 |
| Hourly rate | $48.27 | $42.08 |
| Growth rate | 13% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 181,779 | 294,329 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| 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 software developer is responsible for designing application systems to support the user and business' needs. Duties of a software developer include testing software codes, performing diagnostic programs and troubleshooting, interpreting system data and establishing efficient parameters, and ensuring the compatibility of the systems. A software developer must have an excellent knowledge of computer programs and programming languages to understand its complexities, especially on detecting system defects and malfunctions. A software developer must have strong attention to detail, communication, and decision-making skills to coordinate with the team and also work independently under minimal supervision.
Senior web application developers and software developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Web Application Developer | Software Developer | |
| Average salary | $100,403 | $87,521 |
| Salary range | Between $79,000 And $127,000 | Between $67,000 And $113,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Finance |
There are a few differences between a senior web application developer and a software developer in terms of educational background:
| Senior Web Application Developer | Software Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| 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 software developers' demographics:
| Senior Web Application Developer | Software Developer | |
| Average age | 37 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 85.0% Female, 15.0% | Male, 79.3% Female, 20.7% |
| 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% |