How to hire an application software developer

How to hire an application software developer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step application software developer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an application software developer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new application software developer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does an application software developer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the application software developer you need to hire. Certain application software developer roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   An application software developer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, application software developers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of application software developer salaries for various roles:

   Type of Application Software Developer	Description	Hourly rate
   Application Software Developer	Software developers are the creative minds behind computer programs. Some develop the applications that allow people to do specific tasks on a computer or another device... Show more	$38-65
   Developer	Developers are usually system or application developers in a company who work on specific projects related to networks or applications from conception to implementation. They attend planning sessions to ensure that the program is feasible... Show more	$36-62
   NET Developer	A NET developer specializes in crafting and producing various software and information systems through extensive computer and information technology knowledge. A NET developer's responsibilities range from designing and developing applications, generating codes and building a secure database, implementing regulations, and providing continuous support and maintenance... Show more	$32-55

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Java
   • C++
   • JavaScript
   • Python
   • Object Oriented Programming
   • Application Development
   • CSS
   • HTML
   • Software Applications
   • Linux
   • GIT
   • Html Css
   • API
   • Front End

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage and complete multiple concurrent ERP software implementation projects.
   • Focus on rich interface applications (RIA) using JavaScript and Google API's.
   • Create batches, process EFT, ACH and lockbox payments to patient's accounts.
   • Used HTML, and CSS to create static web pages for the directory system solution.
   • Research and process return checks and ACH debits.
   • Follow strict SDLC guidelines and software development methodologies and change control procedures.

   More application software developer duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your application software developer job description helps attract top candidates to the position. An application software developer salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for an application software developer in New Mexico may be lower than in California, and an entry-level application software developer usually earns less than a senior-level application software developer. Additionally, an application software developer with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average application software developer salary

   $104,724yearly

   $50.35 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level application software developer salary

   $80,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 20, 2026

   Average application software developer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$134,779	$65
   2	Washington	$122,651	$59
   3	New York	$104,946	$50
   4	Massachusetts	$102,101	$49
   5	New Jersey	$98,375	$47
   6	Arizona	$94,952	$46
   7	Connecticut	$94,393	$45
   8	Virginia	$93,329	$45
   9	Pennsylvania	$92,589	$45
   10	Illinois	$89,853	$43
   11	Texas	$89,819	$43
   12	North Carolina	$89,361	$43
   13	Minnesota	$88,986	$43
   14	Georgia	$88,098	$42
   15	Ohio	$87,635	$42
   16	Michigan	$87,545	$42
   17	Florida	$81,152	$39
   18	Indiana	$80,367	$39

   Average application software developer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	The Citadel	$167,380	$80.47	7
   2	Meta	$156,553	$75.27	1,066
   3	Credit Karma	$153,089	$73.60	4
   4	Airbnb	$152,639	$73.38
   5	Cloudflare	$150,232	$72.23	48
   6	Google	$148,808	$71.54	765
   7	Twitter	$147,894	$71.10	1
   8	Yelp	$146,904	$70.63
   9	Pacific Investment Management Company LLC	$146,893	$70.62	5
   10	Roku	$146,405	$70.39	24
   11	Evernote	$146,240	$70.31
   12	Netgear	$146,194	$70.29
   13	NerdWallet	$146,061	$70.22	4
   14	Cerberus Capital Management	$145,897	$70.14
   15	Apple	$145,626	$70.01	534
   16	AEA Investors	$145,579	$69.99
   17	Mayo Clinic	$145,144	$69.78	8
   18	Pure Storage	$145,038	$69.73	11
   19	Lord Abbett	$144,965	$69.69	2
   20	Pinterest	$144,878	$69.65	4

4. Writing an application software developer job description

   An application software developer job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of an application software developer job description:

   Application software developer job description example

   Our client, a global network of professional firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services, is seeking an Software Developer - Web Applications II
   Remote
   Position Type: Contract
   
   Job Responsibilities:
   
   The responsibilities of the third level application support specialist ranges across the entire spectrum system lifecycle management. Responsibilities include supporting, provisioning and delivering solutions for the US audit technology group. third level application support specialist will also support various third party solutions implemented across our platform to accomodate the needs of the audit buisness. Ability to clearly communicate and work closely with other groups in a matrix organization. Experience in large multi-geographical real-time systems. Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities and tasks. The capacity to innovate, anticipate trends and challenge established practices. Distinctive communications skills and ability to communicate technical content in an easy to understand way. Strong people skills, team-orientation, and a professional attitude.
   Skills and Experience:
   
   Experience in an enterprise IT operational support role. Experience implementing, supporting, and documenting multi-tier enterprise solutions. Experience in real time scalability and highly available solutions. Experience with scripting languages such as PowerShell. Experience conducting disaster recovery tests. Proficient in Windows operating systems. Experience with system and network protocols, authentication, security protocols, and application security. Familiar working with SQL databases and DevOps methodologies. Must Haves - SQL, DevOps, PowerShell
   Required Skills:
   
   AUDIT SQL QUERIES SHELL SCRIPTING TROUBLE TICKETS APPLICATION DEPLOYMENT Additional Skills: DOCUMENTING MICROSOFT SQL AZURE DISASTER RECOVERY SHELL SCRIPTS .NET DATABASE SOFTWARE ENGINEERING WEB BASED REAL TIME NETWORK PROTOCOLS
   Education:
   
   Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or similar, advanced degree preferred

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right application software developer for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with application software developers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit application software developers who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your application software developer job on Zippia to find and attract quality application software developer candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as dice, engineering.com, stack overflow, it job pro.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting application software developers requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   While interviews are great, you will only sometimes learn enough from a conversation with an application software developer applicant. In those cases, having candidates complete a test project can go a long way in figuring out who's the most likely to succeed in the role. If you aren't a technical person and don't know how to design an appropriate test, you can ask someone else on the team to create it or take a look at these websites to get a few ideas:

   • TestDome
   • CodeSignal
   • Testlify
   • BarRaiser
   • Coderbyte

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new application software developer

   Once you have selected a candidate for the application software developer position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new application software developer first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire an application software developer?