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The differences between systems programmers and software programmers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-8 years to become both a systems programmer and a software programmer. Additionally, a systems programmer has an average salary of $96,017, which is higher than the $71,612 average annual salary of a software programmer.
The top three skills for a systems programmer include provide technical assistance, video conferencing and C++. The most important skills for a software programmer are java, javascript, and software development.
| Systems Programmer | Software Programmer | |
| Yearly salary | $96,017 | $71,612 |
| Hourly rate | $46.16 | $34.43 |
| Growth rate | -7% | -7% |
| Number of jobs | 257,681 | 253,235 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 8 |
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.
A software programmer is an information technology expert who specializes in programming software and generating codes, ensuring quality and efficiency. In a company setting, they typically perform research and analysis to understand and identify the projects' needs, develop and implement test structures, troubleshoot and resolve issues, write technical instructions, and provide technical support to staff as needed. Most of the time, a software programmer works in a team setting, which requires an active communication line for a smooth workflow.
Systems programmers and software programmers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Systems Programmer | Software Programmer | |
| Average salary | $96,017 | $71,612 |
| Salary range | Between $66,000 And $138,000 | Between $55,000 And $92,000 |
| Highest paying City | Novato, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Apple | Panaya |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Technology |
There are a few differences between a systems programmer and a software programmer in terms of educational background:
| Systems Programmer | Software Programmer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| 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 software programmers' demographics:
| Systems Programmer | Software Programmer | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 84.0% Female, 16.0% | Male, 71.3% Female, 28.7% |
| 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, 4.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 7.2% Asian, 25.2% White, 58.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |