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The differences between systems programmers and systems 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 systems developer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a systems developer has an average salary of $97,230, 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 systems developer are java, python, and C++.
| Systems Programmer | Systems Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $96,017 | $97,230 |
| Hourly rate | $46.16 | $46.75 |
| Growth rate | -7% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 257,681 | 322,419 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 47 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 6 |
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 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.
Systems programmers and systems developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Systems Programmer | Systems Developer | |
| Average salary | $96,017 | $97,230 |
| Salary range | Between $66,000 And $138,000 | Between $73,000 And $129,000 |
| Highest paying City | Novato, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Apple | Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Hospitality |
There are a few differences between a systems programmer and a systems developer in terms of educational background:
| Systems Programmer | Systems Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| 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 systems developers' demographics:
| Systems Programmer | Systems Developer | |
| Average age | 47 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 84.0% Female, 16.0% | Male, 76.5% Female, 23.5% |
| 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, 10.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.9% Asian, 16.6% White, 57.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 8% |