What does a junior developer do?
A junior developer is an individual with an entry-level position that is hired by an information technology (IT) company to work with its development team to write and maintain code for computer applications. Being an entry-level position, junior developers are required to learn the codebase and gain experience from working on large projects. They attend and participate in meetings conducted by the development team to discuss issues with other developers. Junior developers must also participate in paired programming with mid-level and senior developers.
Junior developer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real junior developer resumes:
- Work with a scrum team in deciding, organizing, and managing tasks.
- Manage connectivity using JDBC for querying/inserting & data management including triggers and store procedures.
- Design and implementation of front end web pages using JSP, HTML and XML/XSLT.
- Design and develop GUI for multiple client applications by using ASP.NET controls, CSS, HTML.
- Involve in creation of XML files from the UI to be send to the component for processing.
- Contribute to email communication through JAVA application using Java mail API for notification purposes.
- Develop presentation layer using server-controls, HTML controls and user and custom controls.
- Consult businesses on best SEO practices, and how to increase web traffic and ranking.
- Work on all layers - UI layer, middle layer and data access layer of the application.
- Work with next-generation technologies like AJAX and JQuery to enable more efficient development and more responsive interfaces.
- Deploy the application on the WebLogic server in production and used tomcat for the local development purposes.
- Define XML schema specification, port and channel are configured to send and receive files from BizTalk server 2013R2.
- Used eclipse as the IDE and used eclipse standard/plug-in features for editing, debugging, compiling, and formatting.
- Lead several training sessions on Linux administration and the basics of Perl/CGI programming for the company's tech support staff.
- Create numerous simple to complex queries involving self joins, correlate sub queries and XML techniques for diverse business requirements.
Junior developer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 13% of Junior Developers are proficient in Java, C++, and JavaScript. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Interpersonal skills.
We break down the percentage of Junior Developers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Java, 13%
Developed java code and executed new features through business requirements.
- C++, 11%
Analyzed the DocServer implementation code and documented the functionality of DocServer, which is developed in C++.
- JavaScript, 11%
Performed client side validations using JavaScript and server side validations using in built Struts Validation framework.
- Python, 8%
Learned to use Python, particularly Python's data structures, to help efficiently perform common laboratory tasks digitally.
- C Net, 5%
Provided technical support for Florida Automated Weather Network, Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Service and National Plant Diagnostic Network.
- PHP, 4%
Maintained computer systems and computer security * Developed in ASP, CFM, HTML, basic PHP, and light XML.
"java," "c++," and "javascript" are among the most common skills that junior developers use at work. You can find even more junior developer responsibilities below, including:
Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a junior developer to have is analytical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "developers must analyze users’ needs and then design software to meet those needs." Junior developers often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "used telerik controls for rich data visualization in developing applications. "
Communication skills. Many junior developer duties rely on communication skills. "developers must be able to give clear instructions to others working on a project," so a junior developer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways junior developer responsibilities rely on communication skills: "contributed to email communication through java application using java mail api for notification purposes. "
Interpersonal skills. junior developers are also known for interpersonal skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to junior developer responsibilities, because "software developers must be able to work well with others who contribute to designing, developing, and programming successful software." A junior developer resume example shows how interpersonal skills is used in the workplace: "developed strong interpersonal and communication skills woking with a team of back end and front end website developers. "
Problem-solving skills. junior developer responsibilities often require "problem-solving skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "because developers are in charge of software from beginning to end, they must be able to solve problems that arise throughout the design process." This resume example shows what junior developers do with problem-solving skills on a typical day: "created custom barcoding and labeling solution utilizing coldfusion, jquery, and java. "
Creativity. Another crucial skill for a junior developer to carry out their responsibilities is "creativity." A big part of what junior developers relies on this skill, since "developers are the creative minds behind new computer software." How this skill relates to junior developer duties can be seen in an example from a junior developer resume snippet: "created odbc connections to access databases which updated oracle and sql server tables for inventory control. "
Detail oriented. Another skill commonly found on junior developer job descriptions is "detail oriented." It can come up quite often in junior developer duties, since "developers often work on many parts of an application or system at the same time and must therefore be able to concentrate and pay attention to detail." Here's an example from a resume of how this skill fits into day-to-day junior developer responsibilities: "created detailed visualization and crosstab reports for each business unit to highlight the driving point. "
The three companies that hire the most junior developers are:
- Eagle Creek Software Services148 junior developers jobs
- HCL Technologies45 junior developers jobs
- Deloitte8 junior developers jobs
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Compare different junior developers
Junior developer vs. Software developer internship
A software developer intern is responsible for assisting the software engineers with the design implementation and shadowing their duties to understand the processes more efficiently. Software developer interns use their classroom knowledge on practical applications, suggesting recommendations on how to make the project successful. They also respond to clients' inquiries and concerns, attend meetings, and help with maintaining complex systems and networks. A software developer intern must have excellent communication skills, as well as having strong attention to detail and the ability to learn fast.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, junior developer responsibilities require skills like "api," "sql server," "wordpress," and "visualization." Meanwhile a typical software developer internship has skills in areas such as "software development," "aws," "data analysis," and "c." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Software developer interns really shine in the finance industry with an average salary of $41,281. Comparatively, junior developers tend to make the most money in the finance industry with an average salary of $84,972.The education levels that software developer interns earn slightly differ from junior developers. In particular, software developer interns are 6.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a junior developer. Additionally, they're 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Junior developer vs. 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. They analyze the clients' needs and recommend application solutions within their budget limitations and timeframe. A mobile application developer identifies inconsistencies and glitches with the output before submission to ensure its stability and optimal performance.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, junior developer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "python," "c # .net," "perl," and "front end." Meanwhile, a mobile applications developer has duties that require skills in areas such as "c #," "react native," "objective-c," and "xcode." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Mobile applications developers may earn a higher salary than junior developers, but mobile applications developers earn the most pay in the pharmaceutical industry with an average salary of $107,574. On the other hand, junior developers receive higher pay in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $84,972.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Mobile applications developers tend to reach higher levels of education than junior developers. In fact, they're 9.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for junior developers in the next 3-5 years?
Frank McCown Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Harding University
Junior developer vs. Web application developer
A web application developer is responsible for designing website and system applications following clients' specifications and business' needs. Web application developers utilize their expertise in programming languages and system codes, ensuring the efficiency and smooth navigation of the website. They also run multiple diagnostic tests on the output before release, identifying inconsistencies, and addressing incompatibilities on browsers and devices. A web application developer should be detail-oriented and highly-technical as this job requires excellent digital knowledge to manage complex systems.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from junior developer resumes include skills like "c++," "sql server," "mvc," and "business analysts," whereas a web application developer is more likely to list skills in "database," "web application development," "windows," and "http. "
Web application developers make a very good living in the finance industry with an average annual salary of $88,928. On the other hand, junior developers are paid the highest salary in the finance industry, with average annual pay of $84,972.Most web application developers achieve a similar degree level compared to junior developers. For example, they're 1.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Junior developer vs. Sharepoint developer
A Sharepoint developer is responsible for designing Sharepoint servers, implementing strategic procedures to improve operational functions and business activities. Sharepoint developers work closely with the clients' for their specifications, analyzing their content requirements, and recommending solutions according to their budget goals and set timeframe. They also run multiple diagnostic tests and configuration to the website, ensuring its efficiency, accuracy, and smooth navigation for users. A Sharepoint developer must have excellent knowledge of utilizing various software tools and programs, including programming language and system codes, creating interfaces, resolving system glitches, and debugging codes.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between junior developers and sharepoint developers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a junior developer might have more use for skills like "c++," "python," "php," and "perl." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of sharepoint developers require skills like "visual studio," "powershell," "custom workflows," and "infopath forms. "
The pharmaceutical industry tends to pay the highest salaries for sharepoint developers, with average annual pay of $100,053. Comparatively, the highest junior developer annual salary comes from the finance industry.In general, sharepoint developers hold similar degree levels compared to junior developers. Sharepoint developers are 3.7% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of junior developer
Updated January 8, 2025
