Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between software developers and mobile applications 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 mobile applications developer. Additionally, a mobile applications developer has an average salary of $99,257, 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 mobile applications developer are java, C++, and mobile development.
| Software Developer | Mobile Applications Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $87,521 | $99,257 |
| Hourly rate | $42.08 | $47.72 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 294,329 | 252,254 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| 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 mobile application developer is responsible for designing programming applications for mobile devices according to clients' specifications and business demands. Mobile application developers must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, as well as computer system commands to develop efficient scripts and smooth navigation of operating systems. They analyze the clients' needs and recommend application solutions within their budget limitations and timeframe. A mobile application developer identifies inconsistencies and glitches with the output before submission to ensure its stability and optimal performance.
Software developers and mobile applications developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Software Developer | Mobile Applications Developer | |
| Average salary | $87,521 | $99,257 |
| Salary range | Between $67,000 And $113,000 | Between $75,000 And $130,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | The Citadel | |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a software developer and a mobile applications developer in terms of educational background:
| Software Developer | Mobile Applications Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between software developers' and mobile applications developers' demographics:
| Software Developer | Mobile Applications Developer | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 79.3% Female, 20.7% | Male, 82.5% Female, 17.5% |
| 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, 4.6% 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% |