Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between web software engineers and lead software 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 software engineer and a lead software developer. Additionally, a lead software developer has an average salary of $115,072, which is higher than the $96,649 average annual salary of a web software engineer.
The top three skills for a web software engineer include javascript, java and CSS. The most important skills for a lead software developer are java, architecture, and application development.
| Web Software Engineer | Lead Software Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $96,649 | $115,072 |
| Hourly rate | $46.47 | $55.32 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 285,408 | 309,029 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
A lead software developer is responsible for creating and designing software applications and systems to support business functions and client requirements. Lead software developers analyze specifications to build efficient applications, conduct multiple quality testing, and enhance the user's interface. They also coordinate with the design engineers to modify and improve the features of existing software applications for optimal performance. A lead software developer must have excellent communication and technical skills, especially in considering the current technology trends to meet demands.
Web software engineers and lead software developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Web Software Engineer | Lead Software Developer | |
| Average salary | $96,649 | $115,072 |
| Salary range | Between $70,000 And $132,000 | Between $87,000 And $151,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Mateo, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Cloudflare | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Internet | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a web software engineer and a lead software developer in terms of educational background:
| Web Software Engineer | Lead Software Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between web software engineers' and lead software developers' demographics:
| Web Software Engineer | Lead Software Developer | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.1% Female, 16.9% | Male, 86.5% Female, 13.5% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 30.0% White, 52.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |