How to hire a contract developer

How to hire a contract developer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step contract developer hiring guide:

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

What does a contract developer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a contract developer, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   A contract developer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, contract 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.

   This list shows salaries for various types of contract developers.

   Type of Contract Developer	Description	Hourly rate
   Contract 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	$32-59
   Developer/Consultant	A developer/consultant is responsible for developing system databases and applications, depending on the business' needs and clients' specifications. Developers/consultants design their services to manage optimal performance and maximize productivity for timely submission of projects, ensuring client satisfaction and loyalty... Show more	$34-64
   Mobile Applications Developer	A mobile application developer is responsible for designing programming applications for mobile devices according to clients' specifications and business demands. Mobile application developers must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, as well as computer system commands to develop efficient scripts and smooth navigation of operating systems... Show more	$36-62

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • C++
   • JavaScript
   • Java
   • Python
   • Html Css
   • CSS
   • API
   • Web Application
   • HTML
   • AWS
   • GIT
   • Net Core
   • UI
   • PHP

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Port existing native UI to use new manage web services layer.
   • Design and develop a website using alpha source code, MySQL and HTML for creating and managing user accounts.
   • Implement a centralize configuration system for managing application settings, consisting of a desktop application with a WCF backend.
   • Support internal team on client projects updating HTML, CSS, JavaScript and PHP as necessary.
   • Utilize HTML5, simple Java-Script and advance CSS3 functionality.
   • Edit XHTML, CSS and XML templates for educational portals.

   More contract developer duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your contract developer job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A contract developer can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, contract developers' average salary in kansas is 43% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level contract developers 46% less than senior-level contract developers.
   • Certifications. A contract developer with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a contract developer's salary.

   Average contract developer salary

   $91,433yearly

   $43.96 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level contract developer salary

   $67,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

   Average contract developer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$128,622	$62
   2	Washington	$105,424	$51
   3	New York	$102,700	$49
   4	Virginia	$94,443	$45
   5	Pennsylvania	$93,320	$45
   6	Oregon	$93,298	$45
   7	Nevada	$92,475	$44
   8	New Jersey	$87,740	$42
   9	District of Columbia	$87,452	$42
   10	Florida	$86,866	$42
   11	Texas	$86,371	$42
   12	Arizona	$85,789	$41
   13	Massachusetts	$84,283	$41
   14	Illinois	$79,385	$38
   15	Ohio	$77,425	$37
   16	Georgia	$76,941	$37
   17	Michigan	$76,184	$37
   18	Minnesota	$75,072	$36
   19	Tennessee	$73,898	$36
   20	Hawaii	$71,805	$35

   Average contract developer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Avanade	$116,534	$56.03
   2	Broadridge	$101,810	$48.95	71
   3	Randstad North America, Inc.	$99,324	$47.75	56
   4	DISYS	$96,533	$46.41	8
   5	Jobot	$94,680	$45.52
   6	Motion Recruitment	$93,256	$44.83	39
   7	AMOpportunities	$92,269	$44.36
   8	Atlantic Companies Holding Corporation	$92,269	$44.36
   9	projekt202	$92,159	$44.31
   10	Binance	$92,140	$44.30
   11	Shaw/Scott	$91,978	$44.22
   12	Glow Networks	$91,453	$43.97
   13	System One	$91,449	$43.97	95
   14	CQL	$90,536	$43.53
   15	USM Business Systems	$90,043	$43.29	570
   16	Technosoft	$88,763	$42.67
   17	CyberCoders	$87,557	$42.09
   18	Erp Analysts	$84,507	$40.63
   19	Keste	$84,019	$40.39
   20	Nixsol	$82,587	$39.71

4. Writing a contract developer job description

   A contract 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. Below, you can find an example of a contract developer job description:

   Contract developer job description example

   Your Key Responsibilities Would Include:
   Responsible for architectural and detail design of the embedded control firmware for high-reliability fiber-optics and optoelectronic modules/sub-system controllers.Work with HW and optical groups to translate requirements into working designs and to set up/configure HW environment Responsible for implementation, integration test and troubleshooting of embedded controller firmware on SOC Zynq platforms.Interface with various testing groups for test case developments, FW knowledge transfer, debugging and bug fixing.
   Education & Experience Necessary For Success:
   B.S. + in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science with 5+ years' firmware development experience with ZYNQ or similar microprocessors.Good working knowledge of Real-Time Operating System and device drivers, such as FreeRTOS, Linux Kernel/U-boot/BSP/Device DriversExcellent C/C++ programming skills.Hands-on lab test experience with JTAG debugger, Oscilloscope, Logic Analyzer. Familiar with Version Control tools, Bug Tracking systems.
   Can read basic schematics
   Very good understanding of analog and digital hardware and commonly used serial communication protocols Experience on topical transceiver TOSA/ROSA control is desirable Candidate must be a quick-learner and self-starter, energetic, flexible and positive. Excellent analytical and troubleshooting skills, could work independently with a little supervision
   Proficiency in English speaking and writing
   
   ** Please note that Infinera has adopted a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy to safeguard the health and well-being of our employees. As a condition of employment, our employees are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, unless a reasonable accommodation for a medical/disability or religious basis is approved or as otherwise required by law. Candidates are not required to and must not furnish proof of vaccination or request an accommodation during the application process. Candidates will be required to do so only after a job offer has been extended and prior to their start date if they accept the job offer. A person is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 if the person has received one dose of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine or two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine and two weeks have passed since receiving the final dose of the vaccine.
   
   #LI-JP1
   Infinera is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Infinera complies with all applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right contract 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 contract developers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit contract 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 contract developer job on Zippia to find and recruit contract developer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites such as dice, engineering.com, stack overflow, it job pro.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit contract developers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   While interviews are great, you will only sometimes learn enough from a conversation with a contract 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 contract developer

   Once you've selected the best contract developer candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new contract developer. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

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 a contract developer?