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The differences between software development managers and lead software developers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a software development manager, becoming a lead software developer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a software development manager has an average salary of $134,747, which is higher than the $115,072 average annual salary of a lead software developer.
The top three skills for a software development manager include java, AWS and architecture. The most important skills for a lead software developer are java, architecture, and application development.
| Software Development Manager | Lead Software Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $134,747 | $115,072 |
| Hourly rate | $64.78 | $55.32 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 265,464 | 309,029 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 44 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
A software development manager is an individual who manages teams of software developers that design and create software applications and web services for clients. Software development managers should delegate duties and establish development standards for the development team as well as create a budget and timeline for the project. They must meet with management to discuss how software applications can achieve business objectives. Once the software has been developed, software development managers must train technical and non-technical end-users. They must also be skilled in different programming languages such as HTML, SQL, and JavaScript.
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 development managers and lead software developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Software Development Manager | Lead Software Developer | |
| Average salary | $134,747 | $115,072 |
| Salary range | Between $100,000 And $180,000 | Between $87,000 And $151,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a software development manager and a lead software developer in terms of educational background:
| Software Development Manager | Lead Software Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between software development managers' and lead software developers' demographics:
| Software Development Manager | Lead Software Developer | |
| Average age | 44 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 85.1% Female, 14.9% | Male, 86.5% Female, 13.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | 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 | 11% | 8% |