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The differences between systems programmers and applications developers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-8 years to become a systems programmer, becoming an applications developer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a systems programmer has an average salary of $96,017, which is higher than the $89,205 average annual salary of an applications developer.
The top three skills for a systems programmer include provide technical assistance, video conferencing and C++. The most important skills for an applications developer are java, javascript, and C++.
| Systems Programmer | Applications Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $96,017 | $89,205 |
| Hourly rate | $46.16 | $42.89 |
| Growth rate | -7% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 257,681 | 279,877 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 47 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 4 |
A systems programmer is responsible for managing and installing software systems and applications to the company's computer networks to support the efficiency of business functions and operations. Systems programmers coordinate with the systems analyst to conduct quality checks and running configuration tests to ensure the stability of applications and avoid downtimes. They also create resolution reports, design servers, and upgrade network infrastructure as often as needed. A systems programmer must have excellent communication and technical skills, especially the expert command of programming languages and codes.
An application developer is responsible for creating program applications for devices based on clients' specifications and business needs. Application developers must have excellent knowledge of computer systems, as well as a strong command of programming languages to develop customized programs. Duties of an application developer also include running diagnostic tests to ensure the application's performance and stability, providing instruction manuals for reference, performing troubleshooting for any inconsistencies, upgrading design codes for optimization, and launching the application following the client's timetable.
Systems programmers and applications developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Systems Programmer | Applications Developer | |
| Average salary | $96,017 | $89,205 |
| Salary range | Between $66,000 And $138,000 | Between $67,000 And $118,000 |
| Highest paying City | Novato, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Apple | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Finance |
There are a few differences between a systems programmer and an applications developer in terms of educational background:
| Systems Programmer | Applications Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | 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 programmers' and applications developers' demographics:
| Systems Programmer | Applications Developer | |
| Average age | 47 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 84.0% Female, 16.0% | Male, 77.0% Female, 23.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.2% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 14.9% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 29.9% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 8% |