Developer vs. programmer: 6 key differences

Both developers and programmers are fluent in many programming languages and often share many of the same responsibilities and skill sets. Becoming either a developer or a programmer could offer you a highly rewarding career if you want to make some good money and acquire transferable skills. Many computer science students ask, "Is there a difference between being a developer versus a programmer?" Becoming either requires dedicating yourself to learning and improving, but it's important to consider the key differences between these careers.

What do programmers and developers do?

Programmers and developers write and review computer code for computer programs and applications. They engage in troubleshooting and testing to ensure that the code they develop is as flawless as it can be. They help develop mobile applications, program websites, and code online video games, although their specific duties may vary depending on their experience level and where they work.

Differences between a developer vs. programmer

A developer and a programmer have similar duties, skills, and requirements, but they have a few important differences that can be useful to know if you're deciding which job might be best for you. The biggest distinctions between a developer and a programmer include:

1. Their range of responsibilities

Developers typically have much broader responsibilities than programmers. Besides writing and debugging code, they may be in charge of entire software projects. Developers may also delegate tasks to other software and computing professionals and instruct programmers on which programming language to use for a given project. Some may even be responsible for managing an entire team of programmers, depending on their area of expertise and experience level.

Programmers tend to have a more limited yet specific scope of work. Their work can sometimes require a higher level of technical expertise and more in-depth knowledge of programming languages and troubleshooting methods. Their primary focus is usually on writing, revising, and debugging their code. The day-to-day schedule of a programmer compared to a developer may also look somewhat different. Programmers may spend more time engaging in problem-solving and working on debugging their code. Developers usually spend some of their time managing code, but might also engage in designing and testing.

2. The requirements for becoming one

Like any other career, both developers and programmers take specific steps to grow into their jobs. Aspiring programmers often start by earning a degree in computer science, computer engineering, or a related field. However, many companies have become more flexible with their requirements, and some might not require programmers to have a degree at all. You're also likely to see more programmers with varied backgrounds.

"The typical background of a programmer would probably involve a computer science or STEM degree, although obviously, not all programmers are from a typical background—my team includes people with more typical backgrounds, along with people who became programmers after a career change," front end engineer Jenny Wem told JAXenter in an interview.

Developers start off their careers in a similar way, with an undergraduate degree or training from a coding boot camp. However, the position of the developer isn't typically an entry-level role, so you'll most likely need to build up some professional experience in another programming position. If you wish to become a developer, it's often best to start out as a programmer and work your way into positions with higher levels of responsibility. However, the experience requirements for developer positions will ultimately depend on the employer.

3. Their career paths

A proficient developer can advance into numerous advanced roles over time, including the position of a senior developer, team lead, or architect. Developers with a few years of experience may even qualify for a role within the company's senior management. With this role comes greater responsibility, higher pay, and more opportunities to manage teams and control the direction of a project. Higher-paying developer positions can take anywhere from a few months to a year to attain, but since the role is already mid-level, career advancement may be much easier.

In contrast, a programmer can advance into mid-level roles within software development. They often find positions as junior developers before gaining access to the career opportunities available to current developers. It takes a little longer as a programmer to land a higher-paying role, especially if you're fresh out of college or coding boot camp.

"The typical background of a programmer would probably involve a computer science or STEM degree, although obviously, not all programmers are from a typical background—my team includes people with more typical backgrounds, along with people who became programmers after a career change." - Jenny Wem

4. The expected salary

Both these roles have high-paying salaries, but a programmer makes an average salary of $93,000 per year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, while a developer makes an average of $109,020 per year. This reflects the additional responsibilities that developers have and the fact that the position is a little more advanced. However, what you earn in either of these roles may depend on a number of other factors, including the city where you live and your level of education.

5. Their areas of specialization

Specialization can be a useful way to develop both the hard and soft skills you need to jumpstart your career progression, and both developers and programmers often specialize in a specific area within their fields. Choosing to specialize as a programmer can also help increase your value to companies. Common specializations for programmers include:

Gaming: Programmers specializing in gaming help create code bases for video games or gaming software. There's little doubt that gaming can be a lucrative specialization for individuals looking to build a career as a professional game developer or research analyst.
Artificial intelligence: Programmers choosing to focus on artificial intelligence write code for systems simulating human intelligence designed to complete complex tasks. This can be another cost-effective specialization, especially for programmers with an interest in improving the way people make decisions.
Applications: Programmers specializing in applications create code for software applications to perform specific tasks, such as allowing people to pay their bills online. Since applications carry out so many tasks, this specialization can be a good option for programmers looking to focus on a specific coding program.

Developers also have several specializations to choose from that allow them the opportunity to succeed in their careers, including:

Mobile development: This is the process of developing an application for use on a mobile device. Mobile developers spend their time ensuring that an application is compatible with a specific mobile device, such as a smartphone.
Full stack development: This refers to both the front-end and back-end portions of a web application. Full-stack developers specialize in both the server and client side of software development.
UX/UI development: UX/UI developers apply visual design principles to websites and applications with the goal of improving user experience. This process may involve actively altering the design of the software, and it also typically requires having a thorough understanding of the latest trends in software development.

6. Their skills and industry knowledge

Employers require both developers and programmers to have coding skills and understand a wide variety of programming languages to complete their duties effectively. Programmers often have more detailed knowledge of specific aspects of coding, while also possessing debugging skills. These can come in handy when it comes to dealing with dysfunctional software. Since programmers also frequently work on teams with other programming professionals, soft skills like collaboration and teamwork can also be important.

Developers have similar soft skills, but they may also use their leadership skills to organize and manage teams. Critical thinking, flexibility, problem-solving, and communication are also important skills for developers. Since they oversee so many development projects, it's often necessary for them to have good project management skills. They may also need basic industry knowledge, depending on the software they develop. For example, developers who create software for banks will likely need to know how the banking system works.

In many cases, employers will use the term programmer and developer interchangeably, but it's still useful to know some of the distinctions between the two. Both roles are vital to the IT industry, but while developers handle a broader range of work, programmers complete more in-depth work. The career you choose is ultimately dependent on your personal preferences, but regardless, you can expect a job in software and IT to be equally demanding and rewarding. When you're feeling ready to start applying to one of these positions, feel free to upload a resume today.