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The differences between web specialists and web application 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 specialist and a web application developer. Additionally, a web application developer has an average salary of $85,840, which is higher than the $76,240 average annual salary of a web specialist.
The top three skills for a web specialist include digital marketing, wordpress and google analytics. The most important skills for a web application developer are javascript, web application, and CSS.
| Web Specialist | Web Application Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $76,240 | $85,840 |
| Hourly rate | $36.65 | $41.27 |
| Growth rate | 13% | 13% |
| Number of jobs | 27,731 | 229,802 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Web specialists are experts who have in-depth knowledge of creating, designing, and maintaining websites for organizations or individuals. These specialists offer a wide range of services related to website management, such as designing, site maintenance, installing website updates, and fixing bugs. They must use the content management software to be able to communicate the brand of the organization effectively. Web specialists must also possess knowledge in graphic design and computer programming while communicating their ideas to their clients in simple terms.
A web application developer is responsible for designing website and system applications following clients' specifications and business' needs. Web application developers utilize their expertise in programming languages and system codes, ensuring the efficiency and smooth navigation of the website. They also run multiple diagnostic tests on the output before release, identifying inconsistencies, and addressing incompatibilities on browsers and devices. A web application developer should be detail-oriented and highly-technical as this job requires excellent digital knowledge to manage complex systems.
Web specialists and web application developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Web Specialist | Web Application Developer | |
| Average salary | $76,240 | $85,840 |
| Salary range | Between $55,000 And $104,000 | Between $66,000 And $110,000 |
| Highest paying City | Walnut Creek, CA | Fairfield, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | PlayStation | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Finance |
There are a few differences between a web specialist and a web application developer in terms of educational background:
| Web Specialist | Web Application Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between web specialists' and web application developers' demographics:
| Web Specialist | Web Application Developer | |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 54.6% Female, 45.4% | Male, 80.9% Female, 19.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.9% Unknown, 6.6% Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% Asian, 13.3% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 6.5% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 16.1% White, 58.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |