Complete Job Description of a Mobile Applications Developer
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The mobile application market is growing incredibly fast. According to predictions by Gartner, the demand for mobile app development services will grow faster to exceed the internal IT organization’s capacity to deliver by the end of the year.
Undoubtedly, the app development industry is huge and will continue to grow with no end in sight. As such, those looking for software development skills to acquire have a million reasons to consider mobile app developer training. In fact, Mobile App Developer stole the first position among the best jobs and career paths in America regarding great base salary pay, job satisfaction, and remarkable growth, according to an article on CNN Money.
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Mobile Application Developer: Job Description & Duties
A quick look at the mobile app developer job description and duties reveals very slight differences, if any.
Mobile application developers possess excellent working knowledge of the different platforms, both for smartphones and tablets. Besides, they’re exceptionally adept at the use of computers running under the various operating systems, Windows and Mac included. Software development companies often look for cross-platform developers who can develop android apps as well as ios app products.
A mobile developer is good in IT programming and has an in-depth knowledge of the different computer languages such as C++, Java, HTML, MySQL, PHP, Objective-C, and Wireless Networks. They also work closely with computer analysts and engineers in applying the various software development languages for creating and developing mobile apps.
Duties and Responsibilities of Mobile App Developers
The duties and responsibilities of an app developer will depend on the level of experience. A mobile app developer’s primary duty is to create, maintain, and implement the source code to develop mobile apps and mobile platform programs that meet the needs and requirements of the clients using the computer programming languages.
Additionally, mobile application developers may also design prototype applications, provide the unit structure, and help the application development team or clients in the plans.
What is Mobile App Development?
Quite simply, mobile application development is the future of software. Mobile devices run our lives, and mobile developers make them work.
Mobile app development is the process of creating software applications that run on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. It involves designing, building, testing, deploying and maintaining mobile applications for various platforms such as Android, iOS, Windows and others. Mobile app development requires a deep understanding of the target platform’s features and capabilities in order to create a successful application. It also requires an understanding of user experience design principles in order to create an intuitive user interface. With the rise in demand for mobile applications, more organizations are turning to experienced mobile app developers to help them build their own apps.
A bachelor’s degree in computer engineering or science can teach you to build apps. But building mobile apps from existing web applications or native apps from scratch means always learning new skills. Mobile app developers must understand:
- operating system differences
- mobile platforms
- hybrid mobile apps
- database development
- web technologies
- use a software development kit for web apps
Mobile development isn’t the same as conventional software development. Conventional software developers and web developers need to adapt. A strong mobile app developer must prepare to support mobile functionality on any mobile device and adapt existing mobile applications. They have to optimize mobile functionality across multiple platforms with different application programming interfaces. The development environment of an app development company is faster-moving.
Mobile App Developer Education Requirements
Requirements for mobile app developer job applications vary with employers. A degree in Computer Science or Information Systems puts a candidate leaps and bounds ahead of the other job applicants. Some software development companies may routinely hire a junior app developer at the entry-level and have them work under a senior developer to advance their experience level and move up to a senior software development position.
Typically, the minimum requirement for an entry-level developer in most cases will be a bachelor’s degree. Advanced positions will demand applicants to have a higher education level such as a Master’s degree and be competent in common programming languages. In this industry, experience matters a lot, and it’s advisable to consider an internship in a relevant field or have work experience at a related job.
Can I Learn Mobile App Development Online?
Mobile app development is a rapidly growing field, and learning it online can be a great way to get started. It takes practice to get to the app stores. With the right resources and guidance, anyone can learn how to create mobile apps from scratch. From online tutorials to full-fledged courses, there are plenty of options available for those who want to learn mobile app development. Whether you’re looking to create your own apps or work as a professional developer, you can find the right resources and training programs online.
Developing mobile applications for Android and iOS can be quite different. While both platforms have their own advantages, each has its own set of challenges that developers must consider when creating an app. The differences between developing for Android and iOS range from the development process to the design tools used. Google android developers and iOS developers are parallel, but not the same.
Android apps are typically written in Java or Kotlin, while iOS apps are written in Objective-C or Swift. Additionally, Android app development uses XML to define their layouts while iOS app development uses Storyboard files. Furthermore, Android apps use a variety of different screen sizes while Apple devices tend to have more uniform sizes and resolutions. Lastly, there are differences in how users interact with the two platforms which can affect the overall user experience of an app.
Whether you want to be an android developer or an iOS developer really depends on who’s hiring. Software engineering skills can transfer across development projects, and a good software engineer understands that improvisation is crucial to writing software in different programming languages.
Salary in the Mobile App Development Career
According to the information we gathered on payscale.com, a mobile app developer salary is an average of $72K per year. Further, the highest-paid app developer takes home approximately $110K annually.
Ziprecruiter reports that the annual salary for entry-level mobile app developers ranges from $28k – $140k. Salaries in the United States vary depending on experience level in android and ios, type of app developed, level of education, and the software development company job openings.
Glassdoor reports average mobile applications developer salaries in the United States range from $64k – $140k.
Indeed.com reports the national average salary for a mobile applications developer is $123,816 per year, the average ios developer salary is $127,524, and the average salaries for android app development are $126,129.
What’s So Great About a Career in Mobile App Development?
Other than the good pay, the reported high job satisfaction, and the fast industry growth, a mobile app developer has more reasons to take pride in this career. Before others can even know of their existence, app developers are usually the first to test the apps on the latest mobile phones, tablets, and other devices.
For those who love exploring all the possibilities that new technology has to offer, a career in mobile app development can be immensely satisfying and fun. It presents an excellent opportunity to try new things and satisfy your curiosity.
The job outlook in the mobile app development industry is promising thanks to the growing demand for mobile apps and skilled developers. As such, you’ll be making a wise decision if you plan to switch or pursue a career in app development.
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Aya Andrews
Editor-in-Chief
Aya Andrews is a passionate educator and mother of two, with a diverse background that has shaped her approach to teaching and learning. Born in Metro Manila, she now calls San Diego home and is proud to be a Filipino-American. Aya earned her Masters degree in Education from San Diego State University, where she focused on developing innovative teaching methods to engage and inspire students.
Prior to her work in education, Aya spent several years as a continuing education consultant for KPMG, where she honed her skills in project management and client relations. She brings this same level of professionalism and expertise to her work as an educator, where she is committed to helping each of her students achieve their full potential.
In addition to her work as an educator, Aya is a devoted mother who is passionate about creating a nurturing and supportive home environment for her children. She is an active member of her community, volunteering her time and resources to support local schools and organizations. Aya is also an avid traveler, and loves to explore new cultures and cuisines with her family.
With a deep commitment to education and a passion for helping others succeed, Aya is a true inspiration to those around her. Her dedication to her craft, her community, and her family is a testament to her unwavering commitment to excellence in all aspects of her life.