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The differences between software leaders and software consultants 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 software consultant. Additionally, a software leader has an average salary of $124,694, which is higher than the $88,605 average annual salary of a software consultant.
The top three skills for a software leader include java, python and cloud. The most important skills for a software consultant are web application, database, and java.
| Software Leader | Software Consultant | |
| Yearly salary | $124,694 | $88,605 |
| Hourly rate | $59.95 | $42.60 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 267,920 | 275,746 |
| 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 software consultant is responsible for monitoring and maintaining the technological content and system applications of an organization, ensuring its efficiency and optimal performance. Software consultants design software systems, following clients' specifications and business needs. They must have excellent knowledge of the technology systems, programming languages, and system codes to create software processes and manage the network systems. A software consultant runs multiple diagnostic tests and creates troubleshooting reports for technical support reference.
Software leaders and software consultants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Software Leader | Software Consultant | |
| Average salary | $124,694 | $88,605 |
| Salary range | Between $93,000 And $166,000 | Between $68,000 And $115,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | New York |
| Best paying company | Meta | Silver Peak |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a software leader and a software consultant in terms of educational background:
| Software Leader | Software Consultant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between software leaders' and software consultants' demographics:
| Software Leader | Software Consultant | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.2% Female, 16.8% | Male, 75.3% Female, 24.7% |
| 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, 4.6% 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% |