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The differences between software programmers and contract software engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-8 years to become a software programmer, becoming a contract software engineer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a contract software engineer has an average salary of $102,925, which is higher than the $71,612 average annual salary of a software programmer.
The top three skills for a software programmer include java, javascript and software development. The most important skills for a contract software engineer are java, software development, and database.
| Software Programmer | Contract Software Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $71,612 | $102,925 |
| Hourly rate | $34.43 | $49.48 |
| Growth rate | -7% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 253,235 | 322,978 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 47 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 4 |
Software programmers and contract software engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Software Programmer | Contract Software Engineer | |
| Average salary | $71,612 | $102,925 |
| Salary range | Between $55,000 And $92,000 | Between $76,000 And $138,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | Washington | - |
| Best paying company | Panaya | - |
| Best paying industry | Technology | - |
There are a few differences between a software programmer and a contract software engineer in terms of educational background:
| Software Programmer | Contract Software Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between software programmers' and contract software engineers' demographics:
| Software Programmer | Contract Software Engineer | |
| Average age | 47 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 71.3% Female, 28.7% | Male, 89.8% Female, 10.2% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 4.5% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 29.9% White, 52.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 8% |