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There couldn’t be a better time!
If you are considering a career in app development, this is the article for you. We will cover everything – from education, skills and requirements, and remuneration.
This is your one-stop guide to becoming an Android development ninja!
But if you’re still unsure whether Android is for you:
Android Developer Jobs: Fascinating Facts
App development jobs are rewarding, well-paid, and very much in-demand. Here are some of our favorite (a.k.a. most mind-blowing) facts about Android:
74.13% of mobile devices in the world run on the Android operating system and the market share is growing!
The top programming language for Android apps, Java, is the #1 most popular in the world.
Usage of Kotlin, the second mobile-friendly language, has increased by 182% between 2018 and 2019!
Software application development is one of the top 20 fastest growing professions in the US.
App developers enjoy high career satisfaction (74.3% of them), confidence in their managers, and they don’t need to become managers to earn more.
Employment for app developers is projected to increase by 26% by 2028.
The average Android developer salary ranges between $84,510 and $113,057 (depending on the source). And this is just the base pay!
Android devs can get up to $15,000 in additional compensation (bonuses, profit sharing, etc.)
These are exciting times to be an Android app developer.
In this article, we talk about everything you need to know about getting started and getting successful
Psst!
Looking for information on iOS instead?
Check out our dedicated article on iOS jobs!
Android Jobs in a Nutshell
Android developers write applications for the most popular mobile operating system – Android. They can create new software from scratch or design new features, work on app performance, or fix bugs.
It’s usually a 9-to-5 office job, though remote work and freelancing is an option for some employees. You will be working within a cross-functional team of both IT, and non-tech (management, finance) employees to create mobile solutions.
The key tech skills you need are:
Java – the official Android programming language
Android SDK – the development tools for apps on the Android platform
Android Studio – Android’s official integrated development environment (IDE)
SQL – to work with databases for your application
XML – for using, storing, and displaying data
REST and JSON – for working with remote data
Understanding of the mobile development lifecycle and best practices
To succeed, you also need to be a team player, ready to collaborate with others. Your interpersonal and communication skills will be essential for both the app’s success and your own career progression. Critical thinking and a problem-solving mindset are also indispensable, especially when you design updates and debugs.
Some jobs require a degree in Computer Science or a related field.
The average salary of an Android developer ranges between $84,510 and $113,057 depending on the source. On top of their base pay, developers receive up to $15k in bonuses or other additional monetary compensation.
Where do you find these high-paying jobs?
Our directory is a solid place to start!
How to Become an Android Developer: For Beginners
How do you go from zero to landing one of the entry-level Android developer jobs?
First things first, choosing the programming language. If you can write apps in C++ or C, it’s not the best choice. Except for select exceptions (i.e. 3D games), these languages don’t add anything to your performance.
You Need Java
The core idea behind Java jobs is “write once, run anywhere.” This means once you write the code, it could work on any device with a Java virtual machine (JVM). Here is how it works:
Compilation – The code you write is converted into bytecode, a machine-independent encoding. The compiler produces a .class file from your original .java.
Execution – The .class passes through the JMV, which converts it into native machine code.
You can write Java code on your Mac, Windows, or Linux OS and it will work across platforms.
What About Kotlin?
Yes, Kotlin is now a solid option. Many developers swear by it, as it makes the process faster and easier. It’s an easier learning curve and a great gateway to mobile app development.
However, Java is still the #1 programming language in the world. For the time being, it’s best to invest your time in learning Java, which is also incredibly versatile. The Java ecosystem can be a bit overwhelming at first, so be prepared to dedicate at least six months (and much longer if you only have minimal programming experience).
Coding with Java also requires some XML skills for data organization and management. SQL is also a requirement for most jobs.
To create Android apps, it’s best to use Android Studio and the Android SDK.
Both of these tools are freely available. You can download them today and start playing around. In fact, this is one of the best approaches you can take toward mastering Android software development. Learning by doing gives you invaluable hands-on experience, as well as projects to show off on your CV.
Do I Need a Computer Science Degree?
A bachelor’s in CS or a related field is highly recommended if you want to access the highest-paid positions.
But this isn’t just about the diploma.
College courses will give you a solid base, on which to build your development skills.
It might not make sense (to the average high school graduate) to learn about operating systems and networking basics, but it helps immensely.
All that said, a CS diploma is not a must.
If you have the skills for a position and take a project-based approach (including having relevant projects in your CV, keeping your LinkedIn up to date and connecting your GitHub account), you can be a perfectly successful candidate.
What About Certifications?
The Associate Android Developer Certification is a great addition to your resumé. It helps you stand out but, again, it’s not a must for getting jobs. Google now has the certification available with both Kotlin and Java. They are running a launch promo for the new exam and it costs $99.
Read on to the Education & Certification section to learn more.
Android Developer Job Description
Disclaimer: This is a general job description for this position. Every employer will have different criteria for hiring.
Android developers create applications powered by the Android operating system. They can be involved in every stage of the mobile development lifecycle – from the initial niche research to designing new features and debugging.
Android developer responsibilities include:
Participating in the analysis and estimation project stages
Translating designs into high-quality Java and/or Kotlin code
Maintaining code organization and automatization
Ensuring code-level data security
Developing diverse libraries and tools
Overseeing and ensuring the best possible app performance across devices
Creating scalable mobile solutions
The Android OS market is very fragmented – companies are allowed to use it for their devices and offer updates as they please. To make matters even worse, each version runs a different variant of the Linux kernel. By the time your Android device receives an OS update, the “new” kernel is already outdated.
(Psst! Interested in the challenges of Linux? Check out our dedicated article on Linux jobs!)
Because of the fragmentation, app compatibility is key at any step of the process.
Some Android devs will have to work with specific technologies to achieve that. These advanced Android development positions will require more experience.
You will usually be dealing with one particular device/problem, which makes for highly specialized labour. Going that route can be smart – by becoming an expert at the particular job you’re doing, you increase your value as an employee.
Android Developer Salary Range
The average Google Android developer salary is:
$84,510 according to PayScale
$96,016 according to Glassdoor
$102,516 according to Indeed.com
$113,057 according to ZipRecruiter
All of these sources use salaries submitted by professionals in the field. While their estimates vary, a six-figure salary is completely within range for an Android developer.
But it gets better:
According to this year’s Stack Overflow survey of nearly 90,000 developers:
75% work under 45 hours per week.
Half of respondents don’t think they should become managers to make more money.
They are more satisfied with their career as a developer than their previous job.
In other words: mobile developers earn a comfortable living and they are happy at their jobs.
Nevertheless, earnings vary by location, skills, experience, and company size, among other factors. For instance, Android developer jobs in Chicago pay 2% less than the national average. San Francisco area devs, on the other hand, make a whooping 45% over the average! The perks of working in Silicon Valley…
Some of the skills that will statistically increase your salary include:
Fluency in C++ – by 26%
Fluency in Kotlin – by 11%
Experience in mobile applications development – by 8%
Knowing your way around the Android Software Development Kit (SDK) – by 3%
Working with SQLite – by 3%
The reported salaries are highest at large companies like Amazon. According to a Stack Overflow survey, the more experience you have, the more likely you are to work in an enterprise of that size.
Remote Android Developer Jobs
According to the Stack Overflow survey, 9.8% of all developers work as freelancers or independent contractors. 12% say they are entirely or almost entirely full-time remote workers.
But here’s the kicker:
31.7% consider remote work options to be the most important factor in choosing a job!
33.2% would rather work from home.
Another 8.8% prefer another space (like a coworking location or a café).
So you’re definitely not alone in looking for flexible/location-independent work.
Freelance Android development is an option for aspiring digital nomads. However, remote work comes with its own set of challenges – productivity, lack of management support, and remote work pay gap to name a few.
Even though freelance work is gaining traction, there are few fully remote companies. Ultimately, most employers agree that you are more efficient and productive when you work in an office environment.
If you are interested in freelance Android development positions, I highly recommend this livestream, which also features career tips and stories that will come in handy to any aspiring dev.
Android Jobs: Education & Certification
First things first:
Not all Android jobs require a Computer Science degree.
But here is the catch:
You will have to make up for it. It’s either by experience (if you’re already a seasoned developer nobody cares if you don’t have a piece of paper hanging on your wall) or by access to less exciting/lower-tier prospect positions.
Even if you are not a CS or an engineering major, you can access jobs by earning experience, building a portfolio of projects, and certifying your expertise.
Associate Android Developer Certification
Aimed at the entry-level developer, this certification is globally recognized and comes right from the people who make the tools you use. If you’re interested in developing Android apps or widgets – the Associate Android Developer is also relatively inexpensive, coming out to $149 per take (price may vary by location).
The process:
You pay for the exam and prove your identity.
Online exam on Android Studio, the Android SDK, and either Java or Kotlin – you have 8 hours to complete and submit that.
If your submission was successful, you do an exit interview with recorded spoken answers.
Within 45 days you are graded and you can receive your certificate.
The main competency areas of the exam include:
Android core
User interface
Data management
Debugging
Testing
The Google Developers Study Guide is the only essential preparation tool. It tells you about the topics in depth and includes resources for self-paced studying.
You could also go for an Android development course – Udacity, Udemy, and the Android developers page all have solid options. To pass the Associate exam, you need basic Android programming concepts, which shouldn’t take longer than a few months to learn.
Android Developer Tech Skills
The main requirements for an Android job include:
Java
Java is the official programming language of Android Studio. It’s also the single most popular language worldwide. Even though it has a steeper learning curve compared to Kotlin, it’s still the best for Android programming.
Java allows you to write code and run it on any device that has the Java virtual machine (JVM). You can use Windows, Max, or Linux to create your Android applications.
Android Software Development Kit (SDK) and Android Studio
Both of these tools are free to download and widely used for Android development. Virtually every Android app project is executed on them. The better you know the ins and outs of Android Studio and the Android SDK, the better developer you become.
SQL and SQLite
SQL is a programming language for storing, manipulating, and retrieving sets of data. It’s the standard language used for data management.
Depending on your project, you might need more in-depth knowledge of SQL (while for some dev tasks only a basic understanding is enough). Junior Android developer jobs, for instance, typically involve less data management tasks. Either way, a solid database management core will benefit your future career so invest some time in learning SQL.
XML
The eXtensible Markup Language is used for storing and transporting data. It is a software and hardware-independent language that you use in combination with Java. For Android development, it’s best to familiarize yourself with important XML standards like XML AJAX, XML DOM, XML XPath etc.
RESTful Web Services
Representational State Transfer (REST) is a software architecture style for web services. Android integrates both cloud-based and web-based services. RESTful is used for receiving, updating, and sending data over the internet.
Become familiar with integrating mobile apps, preparing them for network communication, declaring permissions, retrieving data from the web, and preventing app performance issues (for instance, app freezes).
Soft Skills for Success
Soft skills tend to be undervalued in the tech industry. In reality, however, you can be a great coder and still struggle to make it in Android development.
Boning up on these soft skills will set you up for success:
Marketing Yourself
This is especially important when you are first getting started… and even more so, if you don’t have a degree.
Some beginners complain that even though they can do interview questions, they are never invited to the interview stage because HR discards their resumé.
So is it game over if you’re not a college graduate?
Absolutely not!
Move on to a project-based approach and market yourself for success. This means:
Keeping your LinkedIn up-to-date
Creating a Github account and staying active on there
Connecting your Github and LinkedIn accounts
Being active on Quora
Going to conferences to network with fellow professionals
Once you get the ball rolling and gain some experience in junior Android developer jobs, don’t abandon your web presence. Establishing yourself as an expert online will give you access to higher-level positions, more exciting projects, and better pay.
Collaboration
Typically, you don’t make an app by yourself… even if you technically could. Teamwork and a collaborative mindset are some of the indispensable Android developer skills.
In the Stack OverFlow survey, developers cited distracting work environment, meetings, and non-development work as the most important factors that hinder their productivity. While great communication skills won’t completely save you from that, knowing how to work in a team (even with non-IT people) will definitely help.
Curiosity
Android is a very fragmented operating system. Since it’s open source, companies can use it as they please, creating differences across devices and updates.
And then, of course, you have updates, new tools, best practices, etc. Remember, we even have a new(ish) Android development programming language now – Kotlin.
There is always something new to learn!
Creativity
Whether you are developing a brand new app or working on new features and problem fixes, creative problem solving is at the core of this job.
Knowing how to solve problems and generate ideas with novelty. It’s not just for artists, it is also for hardcore coders. Notice a way app performance can be improved? Debug a particularly nasty issue? This is creativity in practice!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Skills Required for Android Developer?
Aspiring Android developers need hard skills like:
Java programming language
SQL
XML
Android Studio and Android SDK
REST and JSON
Mobile application development lifecycle
The soft skills that set you up for success include collaborative mindset, curiosity, and creativity. Android developers working remotely or in a freelance position also need top-notch time management skills. Learning how to market yourself and networking with other professionals and hiring managers is essential.
Which Programming Language Is Best for Android Development?
The official programming language of Android app development is Java.
You can write Java code on Windows, Linux, or Mac OS. The application is compiled to bytecode. Then, the Android device runs it on a built-in Java Virtual Machine.
Kotlin is another option for Android software development. The ‘second official’ Android programming language has an easier learning curve and works seamlessly with Java. It’s a great place to start for beginners, though you will eventually need Java.
What Is the Salary of Android Developer?
The average Android developer salary per year is:
$84,510 according to PayScale
$96,016 according to Glassdoor
$102,516 according to Indeed.com
$113,057 according to ZipRecruiter
These are based on salaries submitted by professionals in the field. The methodologies (as well as the variety of people that contributed information about their pay) contributes to the different results.
One thing is clear, though:
Android developers can easily enjoy a six-figure salary.
Are Android Developers in Demand?
Yes, Android job openings are on the rise.
Software app development is one of the top 20 fastest growing professions, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Since Android holds the lion’s share of the global mobile device market, demand for developers is likely to increase even more.
How Much Do Android Developers Make?
Android developer jobs have an annual base pay between $84,510 and $113,057, depending on the source. Senior Android developer jobs are even better paid, reaching an average of $115,086 per year, according to Glassdoor.
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