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The differences between software designers and software consultants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a software designer and a software consultant. Additionally, a software designer has an average salary of $107,449, which is higher than the $88,605 average annual salary of a software consultant.
The top three skills for a software designer include python, java and software development. The most important skills for a software consultant are web application, database, and java.
| Software Designer | Software Consultant | |
| Yearly salary | $107,449 | $88,605 |
| Hourly rate | $51.66 | $42.60 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 313,443 | 275,746 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Software designers transform customers' requirements into services. They analyze customers' needs, conduct negotiations, and create designs based on that data. They typically work with teams of programmers. They are also responsible for creating project documentation.
A software consultant is responsible for monitoring and maintaining the technological content and system applications of an organization, ensuring its efficiency and optimal performance. Software consultants design software systems, following clients' specifications and business needs. They must have excellent knowledge of the technology systems, programming languages, and system codes to create software processes and manage the network systems. A software consultant runs multiple diagnostic tests and creates troubleshooting reports for technical support reference.
Software designers and software consultants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Software Designer | Software Consultant | |
| Average salary | $107,449 | $88,605 |
| Salary range | Between $80,000 And $144,000 | Between $68,000 And $115,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | New York |
| Best paying company | Globant | Silver Peak |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a software designer and a software consultant in terms of educational background:
| Software Designer | Software Consultant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between software designers' and software consultants' demographics:
| Software Designer | Software Consultant | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 80.0% Female, 20.0% | Male, 75.3% Female, 24.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.6% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 29.8% White, 52.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 29.8% White, 52.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |