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The differences between software leaders 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 leader and a lead software developer. Additionally, a software leader has an average salary of $124,694, which is higher than the $115,072 average annual salary of a lead software developer.
The top three skills for a software leader include java, python and cloud. The most important skills for a lead software developer are java, architecture, and application development.
| Software Leader | Lead Software Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $124,694 | $115,072 |
| Hourly rate | $59.95 | $55.32 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 267,920 | 309,029 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A Software Leader takes responsibility for the execution of his/her /her team and the quality of the team's performance. Software Leaders ensure the cadence of their team's production process. As coaches, leaders mentor and teach the people within the team. They extend help when their team needs it to remove any possible hindrance. Also, they serve as team ambassadors or representatives.
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 leaders and lead software developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Software Leader | Lead Software Developer | |
| Average salary | $124,694 | $115,072 |
| Salary range | Between $93,000 And $166,000 | Between $87,000 And $151,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a software leader and a lead software developer in terms of educational background:
| Software Leader | Lead Software Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between software leaders' and lead software developers' demographics:
| Software Leader | Lead Software Developer | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.2% Female, 16.8% | Male, 86.5% Female, 13.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.5% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.3% Asian, 29.9% White, 52.4% 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% |