Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between test developers and 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 developer. Additionally, a developer has an average salary of $100,076, which is higher than the $92,711 average annual salary of a test developer.
The top three skills for a test developer include python, java and C++. The most important skills for a developer are javascript, python, and java.
| Test Developer | Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $92,711 | $100,076 |
| Hourly rate | $44.57 | $48.11 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 259,893 | 262,570 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| 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.
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.
Test developers and developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Test Developer | Developer | |
| Average salary | $92,711 | $100,076 |
| Salary range | Between $72,000 And $119,000 | Between $76,000 And $131,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | Mayo Clinic | - |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Finance |
There are a few differences between a test developer and a developer in terms of educational background:
| Test Developer | Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| 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 developers' demographics:
| Test Developer | Developer | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 64.0% Female, 36.0% | Male, 74.9% Female, 25.1% |
| 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, 4.6% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 29.8% White, 52.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |