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Web programmer vs applications developer

The differences between web programmers and applications 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 web programmer and an applications developer. Additionally, an applications developer has an average salary of $89,205, which is higher than the $72,168 average annual salary of a web programmer.

The top three skills for a web programmer include javascript, HTML and database. The most important skills for an applications developer are java, javascript, and C++.

Web programmer vs applications developer overview

Web ProgrammerApplications Developer
Yearly salary$72,168$89,205
Hourly rate$34.70$42.89
Growth rate13%21%
Number of jobs104,212279,877
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age3739
Years of experience44

What does a web programmer do?

Also called web engineers or developers, web programmers create web applications. Their job focuses on the non-design factors of web development such as markup writing and coding. They design and come up with websites and take responsibility for their looks. It is their job to oversee the technical aspects of the websites including their capacity and performance. Sometimes, they need to show clients or employers a website prototype to better understand the finished product.

What does an applications developer do?

An application developer is responsible for creating program applications for devices based on clients' specifications and business needs. Application developers must have excellent knowledge of computer systems, as well as a strong command of programming languages to develop customized programs. Duties of an application developer also include running diagnostic tests to ensure the application's performance and stability, providing instruction manuals for reference, performing troubleshooting for any inconsistencies, upgrading design codes for optimization, and launching the application following the client's timetable.

Web programmer vs applications developer salary

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

Web ProgrammerApplications Developer
Average salary$72,168$89,205
Salary rangeBetween $53,000 And $97,000Between $67,000 And $118,000
Highest paying CityBothell, WASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonWashington
Best paying companyMetaMeta
Best paying industryReal EstateFinance

Differences between web programmer and applications developer education

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

Web ProgrammerApplications Developer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common majorComputer ScienceComputer Science
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Web programmer vs applications developer demographics

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

Web ProgrammerApplications Developer
Average age3739
Gender ratioMale, 80.8% Female, 19.2%Male, 77.0% Female, 23.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 6.5% Hispanic or Latino, 11.9% Asian, 15.8% White, 58.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 29.9% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage9%8%

Differences between web programmer and applications developer duties and responsibilities

Web programmer example responsibilities.

  • Manage SDLC solutions for all software issues keeping with HIPAA.
  • Handle the deployment of the website and manage the git repository.
  • Plan, design and develop and manage an e-commerce website using WordPress, along with custom PHP plugins and CSS modifications.
  • Manage intranet updates while administering user access to corporate projects.
  • Code new website with secure content management system in PHP, Ajax, XML, and HTML.
  • Work on migration of AJAX from XML to simpler JSON format and implement features from YUI (calendar) and Jquery.
  • Show more

Applications developer example responsibilities.

  • Used to update issue tracker and manage code using version control system git.
  • Create UNIX shell scripts to automate the FTP process, handling of data discards, data errors, compliance errors etc.
  • Manage complete SDLC for development projects including gathering and determining business requirements.
  • Used AngularJS HTTP request to read data from web services and process JSON data to render in the UI.
  • Develop interfaces using JavaScript, HTML technologies for several web applications to fetch and graphically present require data from database.
  • Core service uses the main database and the other Microservices use their individual databases to access and store data.
  • Show more

Web programmer vs applications developer skills

Common web programmer skills
  • JavaScript, 8%
  • HTML, 6%
  • Database, 6%
  • Web Application, 6%
  • CSS, 5%
  • PHP, 5%
Common applications developer skills
  • Java, 11%
  • JavaScript, 7%
  • C++, 6%
  • QA, 4%
  • Database, 4%
  • HTML, 4%

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