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The differences between software designers 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 software designer and a software developer. Additionally, a software designer has an average salary of $107,449, which is higher than the $87,521 average annual salary of a software developer.
The top three skills for a software designer include python, java and software development. The most important skills for a software developer are java, python, and C++.
| Software Designer | Software Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $107,449 | $87,521 |
| Hourly rate | $51.66 | $42.08 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 313,443 | 294,329 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| 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 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.
Software designers and software developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Software Designer | Software Developer | |
| Average salary | $107,449 | $87,521 |
| Salary range | Between $80,000 And $144,000 | Between $67,000 And $113,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Globant | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Finance |
There are a few differences between a software designer and a software developer in terms of educational background:
| Software Designer | Software Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between software designers' and software developers' demographics:
| Software Designer | Software Developer | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 80.0% Female, 20.0% | Male, 79.3% Female, 20.7% |
| 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, 4.5% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 29.9% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |