Mobile Application Developer

Mobile Application Developers create software for mobile devices.

The latest mobile devices are changing the way we communicate, do business, and access news & entertainment. Businesses, consumers and programmers have embraced this innovative content, making mobile application developer one of the most demanded and fastest growing careers in 2012 and beyond.

Mobile application developers write programs inside of a mobile development environment using the Objective C, C++, C# and Java programming languages. A mobile developer chooses the operating system (a.k.a. mobile platform) they will develop on, such as Google's Android or Apple's iOS, then learns the programming languages and development environment for that platform.

There are numerous mobile application development training programs and accredited degrees featuring coursework in mobile software programming, mobile media design, and application deployment for the leading mobile platforms. Compare the top-rated mobile development education programs in the U.S. and online.

Currently, there are 5 major mobile platforms, each with its own core language and development environment:

Graph: Mobile OS Market Share - Feb 2010 to Jan 2012 (USA)

Businesses that develop mobile applications and freelance mobile developers typically write apps for multiple mobile platforms simultaneously, e.g., Android & iOS, to maximize market penetration and return on investment - so the more mobile development platforms you learn and master, the more in-demand you become as a professional mobile app developer.

a.k.a. Mobile App Designer | Android Developer | iPhone Developer | BlackBerry Developer | Mobile Software Engineer

Mobile App Dev Training

Mobile Application Developer Skills & Responsibilities

Typical day-to-day duties and in-demand skill sets for mobile application developers include:

• Mobile developers are fluent in object-oriented programming languages such as Java, Objective-C, and C++.
• Mobile application developers code, test, debug, monitor and document changes for mobile applications.
• Mobile application developers are proficient in the programming environments for one or more mobile platforms.
• Mobile application developers implement application programming interfaces (APIs) to support mobile functionality.
• Mobile application developers know the terminology, concepts, and best practices for coding mobile applications.
• Mobile application developers migrate and adapt existing web applications to the leading mobile platforms.
• Mobile application developers work closely with other departments to brainstorm new app deployments.
• Mobile application developers recommend changes and enhancements to existing mobile applications.

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Mobile Application Developer Salary

• Mobile Application Developer average annual salary (U.S.): $94,000

Average salaries for mobile application developers and related positions:

• Blackberry App Developer salary: $89,000
• Software Engineer salary: $90,000
• Mobile Software Engineer salary: $94,000
• Mobile Application Developer salary: $94,000
• iPhone Application Developer salary: $95,000
• iPad Application Developer salary: $95,000
• Java Application Developer salary: $96,000
• Android Application Developer salary: $97,000
• iOS Software Engineer salary: $102,000
• Senior iPhone Developer salary: $105,000
• Senior Android Developer salary: $107,000
• Lead Java Developer salary: $110,000
• Senior Mobile Developer salary: $111,000
• Javascript Jquery Developer salary: $124,000

The hourly pay rate for mobile application developers ranges from $20 to $150 an hour, depending on the developer's location and credentials.

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Mobile Application Developer Education Requirements

Most employers seek mobile application developers with at least a bachelor's degree in software engineering, mobile application development, mobile computing, computer science or a similar programming-centric field of study. Hiring managers for mobile development positions may also want to see a portfolio with samples of completed mobile applications and your best programming projects. The following undergrad and graduate degree programs satisfy both of these requirements with hands-on courses wherein students create a range of applications for the leading mobile platforms, plus specialized lessons on presenting yourself as a top candidate for mobile developer positions, in which active mobile development practitioners help you assemble the apps you create throughout the program into an industry-specific portfolio, resume and cover letter.

Marketable skills to look for in a mobile development education program include iOS application development (iPhone & iPad), Android application development, object-oriented programming (OOP), Java programming (Java SE, Java ME & Java EE), JavaScript, HTML, Objective-C and C++ programming, usability & user-interface (UI) design, game & simulation programming, mobile app portfolio assembly, database & OS fundamentals, and mobile media marketing & deployment. The subject matter in mobile application development training works extremely well in online learning formats.

Research and compare the top-rated mobile application development training programs in the U.S. and online.

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Mobile Application Developer Training, Certificates & Degrees

Browse the top-rated undergrad & graduate degrees, professional certificates, self-paced courses and online training programs matching the mobile application developer education requirements and career path.

Computer School	Mobile App Dev Training Program	Course Highlights & Certifications
Request More Info	Bachelor's in Mobile App Development Method: Online Degree Degree Level: Bachelor Accredited Program: Yes Financial Aid Available: Yes	iPhone Application Development Training Android Application Development Training Mobile Game and Simulation Programming User Interface Design and Usability Testing Mobile App Graphic Design and Art Direction Mobile App Business and Marketing Strategy Learn to Take Mobile Applications to Market Professional Mobile App Developer Portfolio Java ME, Objective-C, MySQL & PHP Coding Full Sail's Online Platform won 2011 Distance Learning Association Best Practices Award Option to Attend Individual Online Courses
Request More Info	Bachelor's of IT in Mobile Computing Method: Online Degree Degree Level: Bachelor Accredited Program: Yes Financial Aid Available: Yes International Students Click Here	Java Programming Training for Blackberry and Android Application Development Learn Objective-C Programming for iOS Application Development (iPhone & iPad) Mobile Database Administration Training Mobile Operating System Administration Build Basic .Net Framework Apps in C# Mobile App Developer Portfolio Assembly Custom Core IT Curriculum and Electives Kaplan University Job Placement Services Option to Attend Individual Online Courses
Request More Info	Master's in Software Engineering Method: Online Degree Degree Level: Master Accredited Program: Yes Financial Aid Available: Yes	Learn to Analyze & Solve Business Problems with Strategic Software Engineering Solutions Examine Emerging Technology Trends inc. Cloud-Computing & Mobile Device Integration Software Application Dev Team Management Advanced UI Design and Software Usability Graduate-Level Java Programming Course Examine Networking and OS Fundamentals Study Database Concepts and Capabilities Software Application Planning and Strategy CTU won Computerworld Honors "Best of the Best" Award for its Online Learning Platform Option to Attend Individual Online Courses
Request More Info	Associate of IT in Application Development Method: Online Degree Degree Level: Associate Accredited Program: Yes Financial Aid Available: Yes International Students Click Here	Design & Develop Graphical User Interface-Based (GUI) Applications in Visual Studio Utilize C# Programming to Develop Programs that Solve Business Application Problems Learn how to Analyze, Design & Implement Software Engineering Solutions using Java Develop Object-Oriented VB .Net Programs that Interact with the Corporate Database Application Developer Portfolio Assembly Custom Core IT Curriculum and Electives Kaplan University Job Placement Services Option to Attend Individual Online Courses
Request More Info	B.S.I.T. Software App Programming Method: Online Degree Degree Level: Bachelor Accredited Program: Yes Financial Aid Available: Yes	Beginner to Advanced Java Programming User Interface Design & Usability Testing Learn Software Requirements Engineering Graphic Design for Software Applications Examination of Object Oriented Methods Software Application Design and Testing Software Application Project Management Intro to PC and Mobile Operating Systems Database Management and DBA Training Develop a Requirements Traceability Matrix CTU won Computerworld Honors "Best of the Best" Award for its Online Learning Platform Option to Attend Individual Online Courses
Request More Info	Associate in Java Programming Method: Online Degree Degree Level: Associate Accredited Program: Yes Financial Aid Available: Yes	Introduction to Logic and Programming Advanced Java Programming Training Java Software Application Programming Learn C++ Object Oriented Programming C++ Application Design and Development VisualBASIC Programming Concepts Write Database-Integrated Applications Manage and Design Databases with SQL PC & Mobile Operating Systems Training Multi-Level Career Placement Assistance Option to Attend Individual Online Courses
Request More Info	B.S. Game & Simulation Programming Method: Online or On-Campus Degree Level: Bachelor Accredited Program: Yes Financial Aid Available: Yes	Video Game Design for Mobile Devices, Consoles & Emerging Technologies Artificial Intelligence (AI) Programming Online Multiplayer Game Development Graphics Development using OpenGL Produce Video Game Audio & Sound Learn Object-Oriented Programming Advanced Java Programming Training Cross-Platform Mobile App Development Option to Attend Individual Online Courses
Request More Info	Software Engineering Executive Method: Online or On-Campus Degree Level: Graduate Certificate Accredited Program: Yes Financial Aid Available: Yes Prerequisite: Bachelor's Degree	Learn how to Develop Strategic Software Applications to Solve Business Problems Software Application Project Management Strategic Database Systems Management Examine Modern Enterprise Architectures Software Systems Analysis and Design Advanced Software Engineering Training Online, Campus or Blended Class Formats Option to Attend Individual Online Courses
Request More Info	B.S. Game Software Development Method: Online or On-Campus Degree Level: Bachelor Accredited College: Yes Financial Aid Available: Yes	Beginner to Advanced Programming Training Engineer Software Apps for Game Consoles, Mobile Devices & Emerging Technologies 2D Game Programming & Collision Detection 3D Graphics, Meshes, Texturing and Lighting Build Dynamic 3D Game Engine Architectures Video Game Scripting, Level & Terrain Editing Game Artificial Intelligence & Neural Networks Video Game Scene Hierarchy & Texture Mgmt. Video Game Software Development & Testing Senior Project Game Build: Planning & Review, Character Animations, Sound Production, Design Vehicles, Weapons, Items & Structures Attend Individual Campus or Online Courses
Request More Info	A.A.I.T. Programming Method: Online or On-Campus Degree Level: Associate Accredited Program: Yes Financial Aid Available: Yes	Object-Oriented Programming Training C, C# & C++ Application Development Learn Advanced Java 2SE Programming Develop Web Pages & Web-Based Apps using HTML, CSS, DHTML & JavaScript Use Adobe Photoshop, Dreamweaver and Flash to Manipulate Digital Images & Design Multimedia Web Pages and Wireframes Online, Campus & Blended Class Formats Option to Attend Individual 6-Week Courses
Request More Info	B.S.I.T. Software Method: Online Degree Degree Level: Bachelor Accredited Program: Yes Financial Aid Available: Yes	Includes Certification Prep & Exams for: Oracle OCP: Java SE 7 Programmer Four (4) CompTIA Certificates including Network+, A+, Security+ & Project+ Five (5) CIW Certificates including Perl, Web Foundations, Web Design, JavaScript, Database Design & Web Development Seven (7) MTA Certificates in Windows 7, Windows Server, Networks, Databases, Security, Web & Software Development Hands-On Training in Software Engineering Java, Perl, Objective-C & C++ Programming JavaScript and HTML for Web Development Database Development & Security Training Networks Design & Administration Training Systems Administration & Security Courses Learn the Essential Microsoft Technologies Application Development Team Leadership Technical Writing for Software Development WGU is a Microsoft and Oracle IT Academy Option to Create Custom Online Semesters

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Mobile Application Developer Certifications

There aren't many mobile application development certifications on the market yet, however we expect to see an influx of vendor-specific (Apple iOS & Google Android) as well as vendor-neutral mobile development certificates in the near future. Existing certifications for mobile application developers include:

• Oracle Certified Associate: Java SE 7 Programmer
• Oracle Certified Professional: Java ME 1 Mobile Application Developer
  (formerly Sun Certified Mobile Application Developer - SCMAD)
• MCTS: Windows Mobile 6.5, Application Development
• MCTS: Windows Mobile 6.5, Configuration
• BlackBerry Certified Application Developer (Exam Retired on 10/30/11)

Stay tuned for detailed examinations & reviews as new mobile application development certifications arrive on the scene.

Browse school-sponsored programming certificates with coursework matching the mobile developer career track.

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Mobile Application Developer Jobs

Your specialized experience and training in mobile application development & computer programming may qualify you for a variety of in-demand job roles including:

• Mobile Application Developer: Browse and apply to Mobile Developer Jobs
• Android Application Developer: Browse and apply to Android Developer Jobs
• iPhone/iOS Application Developer: Browse and apply to iPhone Developer Jobs
• Blackberry Application Developer: Browse and apply to Blackberry Developer Jobs
• Windows Mobile App Developer: Browse and apply to Windows Mobile Developer Jobs
• Software Engineer Jobs: Browse and apply to Software Engineer Job Openings
• Java Application Developer Jobs: Browse and apply to Java Application Developer Jobs
• Objective C Developer Jobs: Browse and apply to Objective C Developer Job Openings
• C# "C Sharp" Developer Jobs: Browse and apply to C# Development Job Openings
• Businesses and Hiring Managers: Post Jobs and Find Candidates at a Discount

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Mobile Application Developer Job Outlook

The mobile device market is growing at breakneck speeds; some experts even compare the mobile movement of the 2010's to the Internet explosion of the mid 1990's. This growth is feeding the increased demand for mobile application developers. As smart phones and tablets change the way people communicate, do business, and access news & entertainment, the demand for new and innovative mobile applications will continue as mobile devices become increasingly capable, and an increasing number of traditional businesses bring their products and services to the mobile market. The rapid growth of mobile is creating numerous job opportunities for mobile application developers.

According to hiring managers and IT recruiters, the demand for mobile application developers still far exceeds the supply. Some of the most popular industries hiring mobile app developers include video game studios, advertising and marketing firms that want to build branded application for clients, media firms that recognize mobile as a powerful content distribution channel, government agencies and financial institutions that want to extend their services online, software development firms, and real estate agencies.

The closest occupation to Mobile Application Developer listed by the US Department of Labor is Software Engineer. Employment for software engineers is expected to increase by 32% from 2008 to 2018, one of the largest increases projected for all occupations - the increase in mobile application development jobs will be significantly higher.

Source: United States Dept. of Labor - Bureau of Labor Statistics

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Mobile Developer Related Careers

• Software Engineer
• Web Developer
• Graphic Designer
• Video Game Designer
• Database Administrator
• IT Security Specialist

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