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What is a developer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted Experts
Frank McCown Ph.D.,
Kevin Treu Ph.D.
introduction image

A developer creates and maintains computer software applications. They use programming languages to write code that can be used for various purposes, such as building websites, mobile apps, or video games. Developers work in teams to design, test, and debug software, and are responsible for ensuring that their products are functional and user-friendly. They may also be involved in updating and improving existing software, as well as troubleshooting issues that arise.

What general advice would you give to a Developer?

Frank McCown Ph.D.Frank McCown Ph.D. LinkedIn Profile

Associate Professor, Harding University

The market is stable for software developers, despite the economic challenges created by the pandemic. Before accepting a job offer, talk to the company's employees through online meetings or email, and see what they think of the company. Do they enjoy their work? Are there opportunities to learn new technologies? How does the company treat their employees? There's a good chance you will be working remotely in your first job, so you will need to exercise a lot of self-discipline, be punctual for online meetings, do the work you've been assigned, and know when to ask questions when you get stuck. Expect a steeper-than-normal learning curve if you are working remotely instead of in an office.
ScoreDeveloperUS Average
Salary
7.6

Avg. Salary $100,076

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
4.0

Growth Rate 21%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
4.0
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.17%

Asian 29.78%

Black or African American 4.62%

Hispanic or Latino 8.38%

Unknown 4.85%

White 52.20%

Gender

female 25.10%

male 74.90%

Age - 38
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 38
Stress Level
4.0

Stress level is moderate

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
7.9

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
6.6

Work Life balance is good

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a Developer?

Pros

  • High demand

  • Good salary and benefits

  • Collaborative and team-oriented environment

  • Opportunity to work in various industries and sectors

  • Potential for career growth and advancement

Cons

  • Long hours and tight deadlines during project cycles

  • High levels of stress and pressure to deliver quality work

  • Challenging and complex problem-solving tasks

  • Health concerns such as eye strain, headaches, or back pain due to prolonged periods of sitting

  • Limited social interaction

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Developer career paths

Key steps to become a developer

  1. Explore developer education requirements

    Most common developer degrees

    Bachelor's

    71.5 %

    Master's

    19.0 %

    Associate

    5.3 %

  2. Start to develop specific developer skills

    SkillsPercentages
    JavaScript7.22%
    Python6.36%
    Java6.23%
    C++4.81%
    API3.89%
    Show more

  3. Complete relevant developer training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New developers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a developer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real developer resumes.

  4. Research developer duties and responsibilities

    • Manage continuous integration, configure the servers using Jenkins.
    • Analyze and manage the project throughout SDLC, written/review specification documents.
    • Configure and manage JGroup multicasting communication for apache tomcat web servers.
    • Upgrade internal loan and prospect tracking system to be more responsive and utilizing the latest in CSS & HTML.

  5. Prepare your developer resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your developer resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a developer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Developer Resume templates

    Build a professional Developer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Developer resume.
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    Developer Resume

  6. Apply for developer jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a developer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Developer Job

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Are you a Developer?

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Average developer salary

The average Developer salary in the United States is $100,076 per year or $48 per hour. Developer salaries range between $76,000 and $131,000 per year.

Average Developer Salary
$100,076 Yearly
$48.11 hourly
More developer salary info

What Am I Worth?

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How do developers rate their job?

5/5

Based On 1 Ratings

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Developer reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2023
Pros

Problem solving and cutting edge technology - always learning and evolving my skill set

Cons

Still have to deal with people :)

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2023
Cons

A wide variety of topics are covered under GIS Developer, and so knowledge of several tools, and many years experience is needed to be successful in this role.

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020
Pros

I enjoyed working on creative problems that dealt with the user interface

Cons

I didn't like how technical it could become

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Developer FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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