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The differences between systems developers and web application 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 systems developer, becoming a web application developer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a systems developer has an average salary of $97,230, which is higher than the $85,840 average annual salary of a web application developer.
The top three skills for a systems developer include java, python and C++. The most important skills for a web application developer are javascript, web application, and CSS.
| Systems Developer | Web Application Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $97,230 | $85,840 |
| Hourly rate | $46.75 | $41.27 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 13% |
| Number of jobs | 322,419 | 229,802 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 43 | 37 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
A Systems Developer is responsible for designing and creating software applications and server programs to support business requirements and client specifications. System Developers run multiple diagnostic tests to the systems to ensure performance and stability and revise scripts for optimization as needed. They also evaluate and improve existing networks, develop infrastructure, and set configuration. A Systems Developer must have excellent communication and technical skills, as well as a strong command of programming languages and system codes to identify network structures and operating systems.
A web application developer is responsible for designing website and system applications following clients' specifications and business' needs. Web application developers utilize their expertise in programming languages and system codes, ensuring the efficiency and smooth navigation of the website. They also run multiple diagnostic tests on the output before release, identifying inconsistencies, and addressing incompatibilities on browsers and devices. A web application developer should be detail-oriented and highly-technical as this job requires excellent digital knowledge to manage complex systems.
Systems developers and web application developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Systems Developer | Web Application Developer | |
| Average salary | $97,230 | $85,840 |
| Salary range | Between $73,000 And $129,000 | Between $66,000 And $110,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Fairfield, CA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Washington |
| Best paying company | Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Finance |
There are a few differences between a systems developer and a web application developer in terms of educational background:
| Systems Developer | Web Application Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | 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 systems developers' and web application developers' demographics:
| Systems Developer | Web Application Developer | |
| Average age | 43 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 76.5% Female, 23.5% | Male, 80.9% Female, 19.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.9% Asian, 16.6% White, 57.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 6.5% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 16.1% White, 58.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 9% |