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The differences between software developers and lead 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 developer and a lead software developer. Additionally, a lead software developer has an average salary of $115,072, which is higher than the $87,521 average annual salary of a software developer.
The top three skills for a software developer include java, python and C++. The most important skills for a lead software developer are java, architecture, and application development.
| Software Developer | Lead Software Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $87,521 | $115,072 |
| Hourly rate | $42.08 | $55.32 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 294,329 | 309,029 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
A lead software developer is responsible for creating and designing software applications and systems to support business functions and client requirements. Lead software developers analyze specifications to build efficient applications, conduct multiple quality testing, and enhance the user's interface. They also coordinate with the design engineers to modify and improve the features of existing software applications for optimal performance. A lead software developer must have excellent communication and technical skills, especially in considering the current technology trends to meet demands.
Software developers and lead software developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Software Developer | Lead Software Developer | |
| Average salary | $87,521 | $115,072 |
| Salary range | Between $67,000 And $113,000 | Between $87,000 And $151,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | The Citadel | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a software developer and a lead software developer in terms of educational background:
| Software Developer | Lead Software Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between software developers' and lead software developers' demographics:
| Software Developer | Lead Software Developer | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 79.3% Female, 20.7% | Male, 86.5% Female, 13.5% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 30.0% White, 52.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |