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The differences between systems programmers and 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 a developer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a developer has an average salary of $100,076, which is higher than the $96,017 average annual salary of a systems programmer.
The top three skills for a systems programmer include provide technical assistance, video conferencing and C++. The most important skills for a developer are javascript, python, and java.
| Systems Programmer | Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $96,017 | $100,076 |
| Hourly rate | $46.16 | $48.11 |
| Growth rate | -7% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 257,681 | 262,570 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| 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.
Developers are usually system or application developers in a company who work on specific projects related to networks or applications from conception to implementation. They attend planning sessions to ensure that the program is feasible. They are responsible for designing the system through coding and basic user interface design. They also work on troubleshooting any challenges that may be met at the testing stage of the program's development. They solve challenges and ensure that minimal problems will arise upon publishing the system or application. They also manage the evaluation to ensure that the program's goals are accomplished and that the end-users are satisfied with the results.
Systems programmers and developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Systems Programmer | Developer | |
| Average salary | $96,017 | $100,076 |
| Salary range | Between $66,000 And $138,000 | Between $76,000 And $131,000 |
| Highest paying City | Novato, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Apple | - |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Finance |
There are a few differences between a systems programmer and a developer in terms of educational background:
| Systems Programmer | 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 developers' demographics:
| Systems Programmer | Developer | |
| Average age | 47 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 84.0% Female, 16.0% | Male, 74.9% Female, 25.1% |
| 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, 4.6% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 29.8% White, 52.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 8% |