Given that both smartphone penetration and app usage are growing steadily, the demand for developers who can build mobile apps is increasing. No wonder: mobile apps are expected to have the most impact on business success, and generate a full $189 billion in revenue by 2020. In this article, we’re taking a look at mobile app developer salary numbers.
As the demand is increasing rapidly, it might soon become difficult for companies to attract top talent. If you’re on the lookout for a mobile app developer, you should at least become familiar with an average mobile app developer salary to make sure you land the best candidates for the job.
It’s worth keeping in mind that the average salary depends on the country, but also on the level of experience and skills. This is why an experienced developer will ask for more than an entry-level mobile app developer salary. Since it’s often a subject of negotiation with candidates, you should get prepared by checking what the average salary is.
For a more granular look at mobile app developer skills and how they affect salary, check out our posts about the average salaries of iOS and Android developers along with our posts about the average salaries of other technologies.
In this post, we will be addressing the following topics:
- An average mobile app developer salary
- An entry-level mobile app developer salary
- Mobile app development
An average mobile app developer salary in the US
Mobile app developers are responsible for developing, testing, and maintaining mobile applications. They can work with multiple programming languages and operating systems, which is one of the reasons why mobile app developer salaries vary.
Actually, the average salary depends on many factors including education, experience, additional skills, and the specific requirements of the position. Here’s a comparison based on data from PayScale, Glassdoor, ZipRecruiter, and Indeed to give you an overview.
Currency: USD | Updated: 24 July 2019 | Individuals Reporting: 637
The chart from PayScale shows the average mobile app developer salary in the US. As can be seen, the base salary ranges from $49,000 to $113,00 with an average of $73,249 (at the time of the publication). The median hourly rate, on the other hand, equals $23.96.
Currency: USD | Updated: 28 July 2019 | Individuals Reporting: 301
The average mobile app developer salary presented by Glassdoor, though, is evidently higher: $92,721 per year on average.
Currency: USD | Updated: 2 August 2019 | Individual data sources: –
The upward trend continues. The average annual pay for a mobile app developer reported by ZipRecruiter amounts to $101,106 a year.
Currency: USD | Updated: 3 August 2019 | Individual data sources: 101,099
Still, the highest salaries can be found on Indeed.com, with the average mobile app developer salary of $107,067 a year.
The differences are visible and can be caused by a number of factors: the source itself, as well as the developer’s experience, location, and skills required for a specific position. Let’s take a closer look at how each of these factors affects the average salary.
Experience
Noticeably, the average salary changes with the level of experience. According to PayScale, an entry-level mobile app developer salary equals $60,036. Mobile app developers with 1-4 years of experience, on the other hand, can expect an average total compensation of $71,192. Those who have been involved in mobile app development for more than 5 years earn $88,045 on average, while the salaries for the most experienced mobile app developers exceed $100,000.
ZipRecruiter generally reports higher salaries, and in the case of mobile app development, it is no different. In fact, the average entry-level mobile app developer salary shown by the platform is much higher: $79,009 a year.
Mobile app developer salary across the US
Location is considered to be one of the biggest factors in how much developers are paid. Even within the US, there are specific areas where developers make more than the national average.
When taking into account mobile app developer salaries, the highest ones can be found in San Francisco, where developers earn 24.6% more than the national average. The pay is also higher in Seattle (16.0% more than the average), and Austin (13.2%). The lowest salaries reported by PayScale, on the other hand, can be found in Chicago (1.0% less than the average), and Columbus, Ohio (even 26.1% less).
Other factors increasing pay
Even though the level of experience and location seem to be the most important factors that affect developer salaries, additional skills can also make a difference. Not just anyone that’s tech-savvy can develop mobile applications. In general, mobile app developers are often expected to have a decent knowledge of modern programming languages, mobile platform apps programming interfaces (Android and iOS), cross-platform app development, as well as backend computing.
Popular additional skills
- Knowledge of the most widely used programming languages such as Java and C#
- UI/UX skills
- Experience in web development languages such as CSS and HTML5
Useful additional skills
The list of other skills that positively affect the average mobile app developer salary includes:
- Being familiar with agile and lean methodologies
- Complex problem-solving skills
- Database management
- Experience with IoT development
- Attention to detail
- Project management experience
- Soft skills, such as effective communication and the ability to work independently
Conclusion
There’s no doubt that the mobile application industry is booming. At the same time, increased demand for mobile apps makes it challenging for companies to land the best candidates with the right skills and experience. In order to attract top talents, you should be prepared to offer a competitive salary. Keep in mind that there are a few factors that influence the average mobile app developer salary, such as location, experience, and skills.
Before you go
We also have other great resources devoted to a software developer salary, such as:
