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The differences between software developers and software programmers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a software developer, becoming a software programmer takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a software developer has an average salary of $87,521, which is higher than the $71,612 average annual salary of a software programmer.
The top three skills for a software developer include java, python and C++. The most important skills for a software programmer are java, javascript, and software development.
| Software Developer | Software Programmer | |
| Yearly salary | $87,521 | $71,612 |
| Hourly rate | $42.08 | $34.43 |
| Growth rate | 21% | -7% |
| Number of jobs | 294,329 | 253,235 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 39 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 8 |
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 software programmer is an information technology expert who specializes in programming software and generating codes, ensuring quality and efficiency. In a company setting, they typically perform research and analysis to understand and identify the projects' needs, develop and implement test structures, troubleshoot and resolve issues, write technical instructions, and provide technical support to staff as needed. Most of the time, a software programmer works in a team setting, which requires an active communication line for a smooth workflow.
Software developers and software programmers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Software Developer | Software Programmer | |
| Average salary | $87,521 | $71,612 |
| Salary range | Between $67,000 And $113,000 | Between $55,000 And $92,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | The Citadel | Panaya |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Technology |
There are a few differences between a software developer and a software programmer in terms of educational background:
| Software Developer | Software Programmer | |
| 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 software programmers' demographics:
| Software Developer | Software Programmer | |
| Average age | 39 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 79.3% Female, 20.7% | Male, 71.3% Female, 28.7% |
| 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, 4.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 7.2% Asian, 25.2% White, 58.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 11% |