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The differences between solution developers and developer/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 solution developer and a developer/consultant. Additionally, a developer/consultant has an average salary of $98,508, which is higher than the $89,276 average annual salary of a solution developer.
The top three skills for a solution developer include java, javascript and python. The most important skills for a developer/consultant are java, project management, and javascript.
| Solution Developer | Developer/Consultant | |
| Yearly salary | $89,276 | $98,508 |
| Hourly rate | $42.92 | $47.36 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 252,265 | 257,985 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Solutions Developers are information technology (IT) professionals who primarily work with clients. They address the needs of clients by creating programs, software, or network infrastructure. Solutions Developers should know their clients and the context of the clients' needs. They help their clients achieve their goals by creating IT solutions. They also ensure that the programs they create would encompass all the needs of the clients. Companies that hire Solutions Developers usually have a preset of programs or software. It is up to the Solutions Developers to personalize the software to suit their clients' requirements.
A developer/consultant is responsible for developing system databases and applications, depending on the business' needs and clients' specifications. Developers/consultants design their services to manage optimal performance and maximize productivity for timely submission of projects, ensuring client satisfaction and loyalty. They also handle clients' inquiries and concerns, informing them about necessary adjustments to improve strategic procedures and processes. A developer/consultant must have excellent communication and analytical skills, as well as extensive experience with the technology industry.
Solution developers and developer/consultants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Solution Developer | Developer/Consultant | |
| Average salary | $89,276 | $98,508 |
| Salary range | Between $67,000 And $118,000 | Between $71,000 And $135,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Palo Alto Networks | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Technology |
There are a few differences between a solution developer and a developer/consultant in terms of educational background:
| Solution Developer | Developer/Consultant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between solution developers' and developer/consultants' demographics:
| Solution Developer | Developer/Consultant | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 76.7% Female, 23.3% | Male, 58.5% Female, 41.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 30.0% White, 52.7% 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% |