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Web developer vs programmer

The differences between web developers and programmers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a web developer, becoming a programmer takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a web developer has an average salary of $78,975, which is higher than the $73,007 average annual salary of a programmer.

The top three skills for a web developer include javascript, html css and HTML. The most important skills for a programmer are java, javascript, and CSS.

Web developer vs programmer overview

Web DeveloperProgrammer
Yearly salary$78,975$73,007
Hourly rate$37.97$35.10
Growth rate13%-7%
Number of jobs227,881234,565
Job satisfaction3-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age3747
Years of experience48

What does a web developer do?

A web developer is responsible for designing and maintaining a website to attract customers and direct web traffic. Web developers' duty also includes analyzing software and database to develop new applications. A web developer must have extensive knowledge of programming languages and technology solutions to provide the best web design services for the clients, following their specifications, and submitting projects on or before the deadline. Web developers should have excellent time-management and decision-making skills to do tasks efficiently and accurately.

What does a programmer do?

Computer programmers provide assistance and services concerning computer applications and software programs. A computer programmer must be highly-knowledgeable on programming languages and operating systems to create projects and fix any malfunctions under minimal supervision. Computer programmers must have excellent communication and critical-thinking skills to analyze data and request assistance from a senior programmer as needed. They must also be keen on details to oversee possible faulty codes, troubleshooting problems, and upgrading systems to ensure that the program will perform smoothly and efficiently.

Web developer vs programmer salary

Web developers and programmers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Web DeveloperProgrammer
Average salary$78,975$73,007
Salary rangeBetween $60,000 And $103,000Between $54,000 And $98,000
Highest paying CityBothell, WABothell, WA
Highest paying stateWashingtonWashington
Best paying companyGoogleMayo Clinic
Best paying industryProfessionalFinance

Differences between web developer and programmer education

There are a few differences between a web developer and a programmer in terms of educational background:

Web DeveloperProgrammer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorComputer ScienceComputer Science
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Web developer vs programmer demographics

Here are the differences between web developers' and programmers' demographics:

Web DeveloperProgrammer
Average age3747
Gender ratioMale, 78.2% Female, 21.8%Male, 74.4% Female, 25.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 6.5% Hispanic or Latino, 12.0% Asian, 15.9% White, 58.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.5% Asian, 17.8% White, 64.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage9%11%

Differences between web developer and programmer duties and responsibilities

Web developer example responsibilities.

  • Lead front-end design and creation.
  • Manage high transaction databases including all database objects, triggers, procedures, user rights and functions.
  • Manage social media including Facebook advertising.
  • Interact with java controllers (JQUERY, AJAX, and JSON to write/read data from back end systems).
  • Used JSP, HTML, CSS and JavaScript to render the dynamic web pages (presentation layer) for the application.
  • Re-Design, update and maintain LinkWorth's WordPress plug-in using PHP and XML files to import data from LinkWorth's servers.
  • Show more

Programmer example responsibilities.

  • Create windows form application to manage flight and passenger information.
  • Utilize Jenkins to automate the building and deploying of these software units.
  • Implement a centralize configuration system for managing application settings, consisting of a desktop application with a WCF backend.
  • Create and automate ETL package to import monthly utility data from several electric utilities using Perl, PHP, and PL/SQL.
  • Convert PowerBuilder payroll applications into Java applications emphasizing user interface and customer requirements.
  • Work directly with the project manager to implement advance HTML and JavaScript solutions design to accurately capture survey data.
  • Show more

Web developer vs programmer skills

Common web developer skills
  • JavaScript, 8%
  • Html Css, 6%
  • HTML, 5%
  • CSS, 5%
  • Web Forms, 4%
  • JQuery, 4%
Common programmer skills
  • Java, 9%
  • JavaScript, 8%
  • CSS, 6%
  • Object Oriented Programming, 6%
  • Python, 5%
  • Data Entry, 5%

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