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The differences between test developers and contract developers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a test developer and a contract developer. Additionally, a test developer has an average salary of $92,711, which is higher than the $91,433 average annual salary of a contract developer.
The top three skills for a test developer include python, java and C++. The most important skills for a contract developer are C++, javascript, and java.
| Test Developer | Contract Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $92,711 | $91,433 |
| Hourly rate | $44.57 | $43.96 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 259,893 | 249,808 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
The job of a Test Developer is to write the codes for and implement the programs that automatically test software for any bugs whatsoever. He/She uses QC to track bugs and create reports and designs, as well as implements javascript validations. At the same time, as a test developer, you will be required to implement several design patterns and API to facilitate performance for the standardization of codes. In essence, as a Test Developer, you will be responsible for running tests on all production units to ensure a high-quality product and to check for defects that require change.
Contract Developers develop secure web applications for data collections, quality measurement efforts, and reporting purposes for large-scale performance, wireframes and UI specifications for interactive and static reporting and analysis features, and developing UI to interact with reporting engines. They are involved with system design and technical documentation and responsible for dot net development. In this position, contract developers must excellent in problem-solving, analytical skills and attention to detail, display and manipulate performance metrics, and highly confident dealing with internal and external clients.
Test developers and contract developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Test Developer | Contract Developer | |
| Average salary | $92,711 | $91,433 |
| Salary range | Between $72,000 And $119,000 | Between $67,000 And $123,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | Mayo Clinic | Avanade |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Finance |
There are a few differences between a test developer and a contract developer in terms of educational background:
| Test Developer | Contract Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between test developers' and contract developers' demographics:
| Test Developer | Contract Developer | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 64.0% Female, 36.0% | Male, 71.5% Female, 28.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 30.0% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 27.8% White, 54.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |