Saying that the mobile app industry is on the rise would be an understatement. Apple and Google offer more than 700,000 mobile apps each, according to the Wall Street Journal, and ABI Research reports total revenue in the mobile app industry is expected to rise significantly over the next several years. Mobile app developers with the right mix of skills can potentially find boundless opportunity in this multi-billion dollar industry. But if you're wondering how to become a mobile app developer, you should note that there isn't just one path to get there.
How to Become a Mobile App Developer
The mobile app development industry is not the kind that requires you to earn a specific degree or certification before entering it. While some will come into the field with a bachelor's degree in software development or computer science, it's not always required for landing mobile app development jobs.
But just because there are no industry-standard rules for college courses or certifications, that doesn't they aren't impressive to employers. If you think pursuing your education is the right path, you can take courses or earn degrees or certificates in mobile app development. Here are steps you can take to get started on the path to becoming a mobile app developer:
- Earn a high school diploma.
- Earn a degree in a field that gets you familiar with computer systems and development. Consider computer programming degree programs or computer science degree programs, among others.
- Bolster your resume and job outlook with certifications in common programming languages like Java and C++.
If you want to become a mobile app developer, the best approach might just be to learn how to develop and start doing it. After all, what companies want to see are the mobile apps you've developed. Whether you're an iOS or Android app developer, there are similar requirements for success. These can include:
- Knowing how to create a user interface
- Being familiar with Java, C++ and HTML
- Having strong general computing skills, including database management and security
- Using analytical skills to determine users' needs and design an app to suit them
Mobile App Developer Salary and Career Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) doesn't keep separate statistics for this particular job, but software developers overall — which includes mobile app developers — can expect salaries and job growth numbers around the following figures:
| Career | Total Employment | Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | 1,406,870 | $111,620 |
If this career piques your interest, check out the infographic below for more information about how to become a mobile app developer.
- "In-App Purchases to Outpace Pay-Per-Download Revenues in 2012," ABI Research, Feb. 16, 2012, https://www.abiresearch.com/press/in-app-purchases-to-outpace-pay-per-download-reven
- "Apps Rocket Toward $25 Billion in Sales," Jessica E. Lessin and Spencer E. Ante, The Wall Street Journal, March 4, 2013, http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424127887323293704578334401534217878
- Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2013: Software Developers, Applications, Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes151132.htm
- Software Developers, "Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition," Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Jan. 8, 2014, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm#tab-1