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The differences between senior web developers and web application 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 web application developer. Additionally, a senior web developer has an average salary of $97,916, which is higher than the $85,840 average annual salary of a web application developer.
The top three skills for a senior web developer include javascript, web application and CSS. The most important skills for a web application developer are javascript, web application, and CSS.
| Senior Web Developer | Web Application Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $97,916 | $85,840 |
| Hourly rate | $47.08 | $41.27 |
| Growth rate | 13% | 13% |
| Number of jobs | 239,535 | 229,802 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| 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 web application developer is responsible for designing website and system applications following clients' specifications and business' needs. Web application developers utilize their expertise in programming languages and system codes, ensuring the efficiency and smooth navigation of the website. They also run multiple diagnostic tests on the output before release, identifying inconsistencies, and addressing incompatibilities on browsers and devices. A web application developer should be detail-oriented and highly-technical as this job requires excellent digital knowledge to manage complex systems.
Senior web developers and web application developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Web Developer | Web Application Developer | |
| Average salary | $97,916 | $85,840 |
| Salary range | Between $74,000 And $127,000 | Between $66,000 And $110,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Mateo, CA | Fairfield, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Pacific Investment Management Company LLC | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Media | Finance |
There are a few differences between a senior web developer and a web application developer in terms of educational background:
| Senior Web Developer | Web Application Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| 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 web application developers' demographics:
| Senior Web Developer | Web Application Developer | |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 81.5% Female, 18.5% | Male, 80.9% Female, 19.1% |
| 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, 6.5% Unknown, 6.5% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 16.1% White, 58.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |