Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between senior web developers and lead web 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 developer and a lead web developer. Additionally, a lead web developer has an average salary of $108,800, which is higher than the $97,916 average annual salary of a senior web developer.
The top three skills for a senior web developer include javascript, web application and CSS. The most important skills for a lead web developer are web application, javascript, and CSS.
| Senior Web Developer | Lead Web Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $97,916 | $108,800 |
| Hourly rate | $47.08 | $52.31 |
| Growth rate | 13% | 13% |
| Number of jobs | 239,535 | 250,411 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A senior web developer is responsible for designing, building, and optimizing websites and other software applications. You are expected to perform a few tasks that include identifying client specifications and user requirements, working closely with teams and clients, and testing and documenting software for websites. Other duties include writing, modifying, and debugging websites, keeping up-to-date with the latest social marketing trends, and supervising junior web developers. You will also be responsible for writing code to create web pages and to work closely with mobile developers.
A lead web developer is in charge of spearheading the development of web applications and systems. In a company setting, their responsibilities include managing a team of developers, identifying and understanding project requirements, heading the planning and execution stages, setting objectives and timelines, establishing guidelines, delegating tasks, and providing technical support and guidance to staff. They must also respond to issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently. Moreover, being the lead web developer, they must encourage teams to reach goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Senior web developers and lead web developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Web Developer | Lead Web Developer | |
| Average salary | $97,916 | $108,800 |
| Salary range | Between $74,000 And $127,000 | Between $84,000 And $140,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Mateo, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Pacific Investment Management Company LLC | First Republic Bank |
| Best paying industry | Media | Professional |
There are a few differences between a senior web developer and a lead web developer in terms of educational background:
| Senior Web Developer | Lead Web Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | 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 developers' and lead web developers' demographics:
| Senior Web Developer | Lead Web Developer | |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 81.5% Female, 18.5% | Male, 81.3% Female, 18.7% |
| 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, 6.6% Unknown, 6.5% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 15.7% White, 58.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |