What Does an Application Developer Do?

Key takeaways

An application developer specializes in front-end, back-end, or full-stack development.

• According to Glassdoor, an application developer earns a median total salary of $141,000 per year [1].

• A few technical skills you need to be an app developer include an understanding of programming languages, operating systems, data structures, database management, version control, and various development platforms and frameworks.

• You can work towards becoming an application developer by earning a bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, information technology, or electrical engineering.

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What is an application developer?

An application developer designs and creates computer applications, such as mobile or web apps. Developers will typically specialize in an area of development, so in this role, you may have flexibility in what type of employment you prefer. You could be an independent application developer, work directly for a company, or work in an agency creating applications for clients. Application developers work in many different industries, including:

• Technology research

• Nonprofit organizations

• Health care

• Mobile phone production companies

What does an application developer do?

Within the application development field, you can choose from different types of work to focus on, such as the following:

• Desktop apps: Programs that work on standalone devices without the required internet connection

• Web apps: Hosted on a website and available to users through an internet connection

• Native mobile apps: Apps that run on smartphones, tablets, and mobile devices

• HTML5 apps: Responsive apps with cross-platform functionality and developed with HTML5 

• Hybrid apps: An app designed to have elements of both native and web applications

The exact tasks you will be responsible for as an application developer will depend on your team's size and your teammates' skills. Some mobile application developers specialize in a specific development area, such as becoming a front-end or back-end developer. Once you gain experience in one area of application development, you can choose to branch out and learn new tools and types of applications. 

Read more: What Is the Best Way to Learn HTML?

Application developer tasks and responsibilities

As an application developer, some of the tasks you may be responsible for include:

• Designing programs based on client specifications or user needs

• Creating prototypes

• Designing workflow 

• Writing code to create computer applications

• Ensuring compatibility across platforms

• Troubleshooting and problem-solving

• Testing and user testing analysis

• Optimizing for security and best practices

• Communicating with clients and team members

What skills do you need to be an app developer?

To be a successful application developer, you’ll need to develop technical skills that indicate your proficiency in the practical aspects of the role, like learning programming languages and operating systems, and developing apps for different platforms. You’ll need to understand data structures, database management, version control, and various development platforms and frameworks.

If you'd like to be an app developer who works on the design and planning side, you’ll need design thinking and user experience skills. Meanwhile, app developers on the back end need to understand server architecture, security, and scalability. 

Programming languages

Deciding what programming languages to learn as an app developer depends on the role you plan to fill on a team. A front-end developer who works on the client or user side of the application will need to know languages like hypertext markup language (HTML), cascading style sheets (CSS), and JavaScript. A back-end developer working on the website’s infrastructure must know languages like C#, PHP, and Python. A full-stack developer has front- and back-end development skills, making it beneficial to have a mix of knowledge in both categories. 

Potential programming languages for application developers include: 

• HTML

• JavaScript

• CSS

• Java

• C#

• C++

• PHP

• Objective C

• Python

What tools do application developers use?

Application developers have many different tools available to help design and build apps. Some tools include:

• Programming languages

• Application development platforms

• Development tools

• Frameworks

• Coding libraries

The exact tools you’ll use depend on your projects, what area of development you’re working on, and the frameworks and tools involved.

Application developer salary and job outlook

According to Glassdoor, the median total salary for an application developer in the US is $141,000 per year [1]. This figure includes base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a job growth of 15 percent for all software developers, including application developers, between 2024 and 2034 [2]. This growth equates to approximately 129,200 projected job openings each year during this decade. Additionally, the global mobile application development market is growing, with Fortune Business Insights estimating that its value will increase from $330.02 billion in 2026 to $1,017.18 billion by 2034 [3]. 

Is AI going to replace app developers?

Instead of replacing app developers, artificial intelligence (AI) will likely serve as another tool in their toolset, enabling faster app prototyping, improved performance optimization, fewer repetitive tasks, and a more efficient quality assurance process. By using AI, developers can focus on more important aspects of app creation, such as user needs, architecture, and innovation.

Application developer career path

A junior developer is a common entry-level role for an application developer, where you’ll be responsible for completing basic tasks on a team of developers. After gaining experience, you may advance into an application developer position and take on more responsibilities. In time, you can become a senior developer and a mentor to less experienced team members. 

Education and training

Becoming an application developer typically requires a bachelor’s degree, but it is not the only path. According to Zippia, 71 percent of application developers hold a bachelor’s degree, 18 percent hold a master’s degree, and 7 percent have an associate’s degree [4]. Common majors for application developers include computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, and information technology. 

Discover more about software development 

Join Career Chat on LinkedIn to get timely updates on popular skills, tools, and certifications. Build or refresh your software development skills with our other free resources:

• Watch on YouTube: Career Spotlight: Software Developer

• Hear from an insider: How One Software Developer’s Leadership Aspirations Led Her to Graduate School

• Explore career paths: How to become a game developer

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