How to Get Started as
a Mobile App Developer

This increase in mobile phone users is welcome news to brands and companies engaged in selling goods, services, games, and technology. This is why mobile app developers will never run out of projects.

If you are interested in building a mobile app, you can start a lucrative career working as a mobile app developer. You can also become an applications architect. Mobile app developers and architects have opportunities to work at huge tech companies as independent contractors or even entrepreneurs.

In this guide, we provide comprehensive information on the education paths you can pursue, along with the employment and salary outlook. If you’re ready to jumpstart your mobile app development career, read on.

A mobile application developer is a skilled individual who writes software for different mobile devices. They are usually tasked with creating applications from the ground up within a limited time. Mobile app developers nurture their skills according to the operating system they are working on.

There are two critical operating systems currently being used: Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android OS. Though there are other operating systems out there, iOS and Android are by far the most in-demand.

Most developers learn one OS before moving to another as they also progress in their careers. However, if you are knowledgeable in both OS systems, you will have a competitive advantage in the app development market.

Mobile applications are beginning to add new features powered by data science. They use natural language and machine learning processes. Data scientists bring a new suite of languages, libraries, and tools to the app development process. Data scientists can aid a mobile app development team.

It will take around four years to become a mobile app developer. A bachelor’s degree is the industry standard for minimum education requirements, and most computer science degree programs last around four years.

However, other education pathways to becoming a mobile app developer differ in length. If you choose the alternative option of enrolling in coding bootcamps or online education platforms, you can learn the necessary skills in a few months. After this, you can earn the necessary qualifications after a few weeks or months of intensive hands-on training.

Where you study will depend on what your goals are. There are different education pathways for individuals wanting to be mobile app developers. The traditional route is earning a four-year degree in information technology or computer science. After that, you can even further your studies and earn a master’s degree.

However, even if you don’t have a degree in computer science or information technology, you can pursue an alternative education setup. Coding boot camps and online courses offer an alternative learning platform. Though you won’t receive a degree with these options, you will still learn the necessary knowledge and skills.

To become a mobile app developer, you will need at least a bachelor’s degree. If you have the right amount of industry experience, you can get a job with a lesser qualification. However, the more education you have, the better. Before applying for entry-level jobs, make sure you create a portfolio and prepare for your interview.

According to PayScale, the average salary for mobile app developers is $73,051. This number can change depending on your experience level. As well, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that software developer job opportunities will increase by 22 percent. This is much faster than the average for all occupations.

Mobile app developers are usually tasked to develop, build, and update mobile applications on iOS or Android. Listed below are some of their most common responsibilities.

Most of the time, mobile app developers work with user experience (UX) designers. They ensure that the design they’re working on aligns with the user’s needs. For this task, they create app mockups to gather feedback for improvement.

Mobile app developers need to have high-level knowledge of the different tablet and smartphone platforms. They should also be exceptionally adept in using computers running on operating systems like Mac and Windows. As a result, development companies usually hire cross-platform developers well-versed in both Android and iOS apps.

A skilled mobile developer needs to be adept in IT programming. They should learn Python, Swift, Kotlin, Wireless Networks, Objective-C, PHP, MySQL, HTML, Java, and C++. They work with computer engineers and analysts in applying and adapting different software development languages for building and developing mobile applications.

To perform those tasks, a mobile app developer needs to possess certain skills. These professionals may also want to prove these skills by exploring certifications. We have listed some skills and certifications below.

As mentioned above, the mobile app development industry is flourishing. Besides that, the median salary is higher than average. These are more than enough reasons for you to consider this career. If you think you can build the next great app, you should become a mobile app developer.