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Web programmer vs web software engineer

The differences between web programmers and web software engineers 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 a web software engineer. Additionally, a web software engineer has an average salary of $96,649, 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 a web software engineer are javascript, java, and CSS.

Web programmer vs web software engineer overview

Web ProgrammerWeb Software Engineer
Yearly salary$72,168$96,649
Hourly rate$34.70$46.47
Growth rate13%21%
Number of jobs104,212285,408
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
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 a web software engineer do?

A web software engineer is responsible for designing and creating software applications and systems, ensuring its compatibility with web and network servers. Web software engineers should have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, systems navigations, and programming languages to write codes and configure applications. They identify the client and business needs by analyzing specifications and requirements, as well as budget limitations, to achieve high-quality outputs and deliverables. A web software engineer runs multiple diagnostic tests and troubleshooting with the software programs to ensure smooth operations and transitions upon application.

Web programmer vs web software engineer salary

Web programmers and web software engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Web ProgrammerWeb Software Engineer
Average salary$72,168$96,649
Salary rangeBetween $53,000 And $97,000Between $70,000 And $132,000
Highest paying CityBothell, WASan Mateo, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonCalifornia
Best paying companyMetaCloudflare
Best paying industryReal EstateInternet

Differences between web programmer and web software engineer education

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

Web ProgrammerWeb Software Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Most common majorComputer ScienceComputer Science
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyHarvard University

Web programmer vs web software engineer demographics

Here are the differences between web programmers' and web software engineers' demographics:

Web ProgrammerWeb Software Engineer
Average age3739
Gender ratioMale, 80.8% Female, 19.2%Male, 83.1% Female, 16.9%
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, 4.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.3% Asian, 29.8% White, 52.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage9%8%

Differences between web programmer and web software engineer 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

Web software engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage CMS corporate website for knowledge base integration (WordPress).
  • Add a CMS interface for administrators to easily manage and modify content.
  • Develop UNIX shell scripts (bash/korne) to automate application deployment, monitoring, logs rotation.
  • Support existing intranet application performing duties such as debugging, managing employee access, and responsible for updating site content.
  • Manage the documentation website for Alchemy.js and convert it to AngularJS making it dynamic and allowing for quick changes to documentation.
  • Contribute to implementing microservices used to manage entities and maintain a synchronize state between supplier and distributor.
  • Show more

Web programmer vs web software engineer skills

Common web programmer skills
  • JavaScript, 8%
  • HTML, 6%
  • Database, 6%
  • Web Application, 6%
  • CSS, 5%
  • PHP, 5%
Common web software engineer skills
  • JavaScript, 12%
  • Java, 9%
  • CSS, 8%
  • Python, 5%
  • C++, 5%
  • GIT, 5%

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