So you want to be an app developer…

Before you dive into the world of applications and interviews, it’s worth considering what the average app developer’s salary looks like, and whether it’s a fit for your lifestyle and career goals. Bear in mind that these numbers are averages, and are never guaranteed, but we hope this will give you confidence when writing a counteroffer, knowing what others in your industry are making with the data to back it up.

So, if you have a knack for mobile OSes like Apple or Android and are looking to take on a new career, keep reading…

Basic Responsibilities of App Developers

Curious about what the day-to-day tasks of app developers are? Here’s a glimpse into what you’ll be expected to do.

• Create software applications for a certain operating system or with a certain programming language.
• Create a clean and accessible UI for the end-users.
• Debug and fix code.
• Update and patch old software.
• Work with artists, researchers, and other developers.
• Communicate with clients and submit prototypes.
• Write documentation that’s accessible to users.

Generally, app devs are a little more focused on the end-user than other developers, so you may be doing more frontend graphical work and UI setup alongside coding, especially if you’re on a very small team.

Types of App Developers

Even with “app developer” already being a specialized title, there are still several more types of app development jobs to choose from.

• Software developer: These in essence are very similar to app developers; they can be considered a slightly less specialized job title. These developers tend to work more on the backend coding aspect, though there is often still some focus on the end-user.
• Mobile app developer: This is often synonymous with “app developer”, but can provide clarification. These devs work with Android, iOS, or other mobile operating systems. You can specialize even further by OS in your job title, such as “Android developer”.
• Desktop application developer: Like mobile devs, but they work with desktop computer OSes like Windows, Mac, Linux, and more. Also like mobile devs, you can specialize, such as “Windows developer”.
• Web app developer: These people work on web applications delivered from a web server to a browser, such as emails, forms, and browser-based tools like word processors.
• Hybrid app developer: This job focuses on developing cross-platform web applications that are designed to act and feel like apps. Hybrid apps are written in web languages like HTML, CSS, and Javascript.

Demand for App Developers

App development is fairly high in demand, and you can find many job listings seeking some sort of application developer.

Software development has a job outlook of 22%, which means it’s on track to grow a lot faster than other jobs in any industry. Despite more and more people piling into the tech industry, there’s plenty of demand.

As for specifically mobile developers, your prospects are very good. Demand for mobile developers is expected to increase to 24% by 2026, and thanks to the continued expansion of mobile devices’ popularity, knowing how to work with these devices will help you land a job.

Finally, mobile app developer was found to be the #1 job in the United States in 2017, excelling at growth, pay, and job satisfaction.

Overall, app development, especially mobile development, is a very good job to get into if you want to feel secure.

Job Requirements and Experience for App Developers

Take a look at the essential skills and requirements of an app developer.

• An associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a related field may be required by some jobs, while a good portfolio and experience may be enough for others.
• Certification as a software developer or in your primary programming language can also look good on the resume.
• Hands-on experience or having previously developed and released apps on your target system will definitely help, especially if the apps received a fair number of downloads and attention.
• Technical experience and familiarity with your target OS and platforms are necessary.
• Ability to write quality code and debug.
• Communication skills with clients and coworkers.
• Innovation and analytical/problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work in the front and some UI/design skills.

Average App Developer Salary

And now, drumroll, please: How much do app developers make in a year? (And how does it compare by experience level, location, and against similar jobs?)

Since “app developer” is a wide category, we’ll also take a look at what mobile app developers and web app developers make in a year.

Here is what self-professed “application developers/app developers” make according to the top salary tracking websites.

• Indeed: $80k/year, based on 3k salaries.
• Glassdoor: $93k/year, with a low of $72k and a high of $120k.
• ZipRecruiter: $94k/year, with a low of $49k and a high of $159k.
• Payscale: $71k/year, with a low of $51k and a high of $101k.

Average all four of these records and you get a total average of $85k/year.

What about specifically mobile app developers that work with tools like Android and iOS? Let’s take a look.

• Salary.com: $98k/year, with a low of $69k and a high of $123k.
• Glassdoor: $89k/year, with a low of $65k and a high of $122k.
• ZipRecruiter: $102k/year, with a low of $42k and a high of $152k.
• Payscale: $74k/year, with a low of $49k and a high of $119k.

On average this is $91k/year, which is actually a little higher than a generalized app developer.

Finally, web app development, for those that work with web servers and their technologies.

• Salary.com: $106k/year.
• Glassdoor: $89k/year, with a low of $64k and a high of $123k.
• ZipRecruiter: $82k/year, with a low of $51k and a high of $111k.
• Payscale: $66k/year, with a low of $46k and a high of $96k.

Here you also end up with $86k/year, an estimate not far off from general app developers.

While the three types of app developers have similar salaries, mobile app development, in particular, tends to trend higher.

App Developer Salary by Experience Level

Experience level has one of the biggest effects on salary. It’s important to know if you’ll be making a livable wage when you’re just starting out, if it’s worth staying in the industry long enough to claim senior position benefits, or if you should specialize elsewhere.

Here’s what you can expect to make as an entry-level app developer, fresh out of college or with very little experience.

• Salary.com: $32/hour, which comes out to approximately $67k/year.
• Glassdoor: $95k/year, with a low of $48k and a high of $190k.
• Indeed: $65k/year, based on 20+ salaries.
• ZipRecruiter: $79k/year, with a low of $19k and a high of $151k.

That makes the average entry-level app developer salary $77k/year.

For those who have a little experience under their belt, you’ll be looking at these salaries:

• Indeed: $56k/year, based on 40+ salaries.
• Glassdoor: $78k/year, with a low of $47k and a high of $129k.
• ZipRecruiter: $69k/year, with a low of $24k and a high of $145k.

Payscale: $57k/year, with a low of $53k and a high of $64k.

That comes out to $65k/year, less than the entry-level position. This is likely just a reflection of Glassdoor’s very high estimate of entry-level salaries based on only a handful of reports, but it does indicate that the difference between an entry-level and junior position is likely negligible.

And finally, here’s what you can expect to be earning after a decade or more in the industry.

• Indeed: $101k/year, based on 600+ salaries.
• Glassdoor: $117k/year, with a low of $90k and a high of $153k.
• ZipRecruiter: $112k/year, with a low of $62k and a high of $156k.
• Payscale: $99k/year, with a low of $73k and a high of $127k.

On average that comes out to $107k/year.

App Developer Salary by Location

Where you live in the world has a major effect on your salary, and it can even influence where you choose to move. Here are a sample of countries and how well they pay app developers, in both local currency and USD.

• Switzerland: $85k/year (79k Fr/year)
• Scotland: $53k/year (£39k/year)
• Australia: $51k/year (AU$73k/year)
• Germany: $51k/year (€46k/year)
• Canada: $50k/year (C$64k/year)
• The Netherlands: $48k/year (€43k/year)
• Austria: $48k/year (€43k/year)
• Singapore: $42k/year (S$56k/year)
• United Kingdom: $42k/year (£32k/year)
• Finland $41k/year (€37k/year)
• New Zealand: $41k/year (NZ$63k/year)
• France: $40k/year (€36k/year)
• China: $38k/year (¥240k/year)
• Hong Kong: $38k/year (HK$300k/year)
• Israel: $37k/year (₪120k/year)
• Italy: $32k/year (€29k/year)
• Saudi Arabia: $26k/year (SAR 97k/year)
• Mexico: $23k/year ($485k/year MXN)
• Russia: $17k/year (1.3m₽/year)
• India $7k/year (₹512k/year)
• Brazil $5k/year (R$26k/year)
• Nigeria: $3k/year (₦1.2m/year)
• Indonesia $275/year (Rp 4m/year)

Freelance App Developer Salary

Freelancing certainly isn’t for everyone, but it’s important to know what you’re walking into before you dedicate yourself to such work. How does freelancing app development compare to salaried positions?

ZipRecruiter and Glassdoor report salaries of $110k/year and $101k/year for freelance iOS developers. Freelance Android developers can expect a salary of $119k/year. Android salaries may skew a little higher, but there’s no huge disparity.

Codementor reports that freelance mobile app developers as a whole make $61-80/hour. If the average full-time freelancer works 36 hours per week, that makes a yearly salary of $114k-$168k/year.

This of course depends heavily on what your clients are willing to pay, how many clients you can find, and how many hours you work per week.

So…Should You Be an App Developer?

Is app development the right career for you? In essence, it’s very similar to the title of a software developer. So if you’re interested in that, app development could also be the right course. Plus, the two are very often interchangeable, so you can potentially apply for both positions.

If you enjoy creating applications with code, developing with the end-user in mind, and designing pleasing UI layouts, then an app developer may be a suitable position for you.

P.S. Want more info on salaries, tools to prep for career changes, and more? Check out our web development guide!