How to hire a junior software developer

How to hire a junior software developer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step junior 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 a junior software developer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new junior software developer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a junior software developer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the junior software developer you need to hire. Certain junior 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

   Hiring the perfect junior software developer also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of junior software developers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Junior Software Developer	Description	Hourly rate
   Junior 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	$25-43
   PHP Developer	A PHP developer is a professional who writes PHP scripts and coding to create or modify software and applications according to the needs of clients. PHP developers must develop programs, applications, and websites by using the dynamic scripting language of PHP that is known for web development and business applications... Show more	$32-58
   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
   • Object Oriented Programming
   • CSS
   • Python
   • PHP
   • C Net
   • JQuery
   • Development Life
   • Asp
   • Net MVC
   • Ruby
   • HTML

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Create UNIX shell scripts to automate the build process, to perform regular jobs like file transfers between different hosts.
   • Implement a centralize configuration system for managing application settings, consisting of a desktop application with a WCF backend.
   • Help in writing server-side web application logic in python.
   • Develop web presentation layer using HTML and CSS according to internal standards and guidelines.
   • Initiate a second project in order to develop an HTML client to communicate to this same API.
   • Upgrade software, add patches, and add new hardware in UNIX machines.

   More junior software developer duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your junior software developer job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A junior software developer salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, junior software developers' average salary in alaska is 34% less than in connecticut.
   • Seniority. Entry-level junior software developers earn 40% less than senior-level junior software developers.
   • Certifications. A junior software developer with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a junior software developer's salary.

   Average junior software developer salary

   $70,486yearly

   $33.89 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level junior software developer salary

   $54,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

   Average junior software developer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$86,515	$42
   2	New York	$77,621	$37
   3	Georgia	$75,411	$36
   4	Washington	$75,406	$36
   5	Maryland	$75,310	$36
   6	Arkansas	$75,284	$36
   7	District of Columbia	$75,194	$36
   8	Massachusetts	$73,983	$36
   9	Texas	$73,578	$35
   10	Kentucky	$72,276	$35
   11	Pennsylvania	$71,902	$35
   12	Virginia	$71,625	$34
   13	North Carolina	$69,510	$33
   14	South Carolina	$67,224	$32
   15	Missouri	$66,558	$32
   16	Illinois	$66,286	$32
   17	Florida	$65,102	$31
   18	Ohio	$64,540	$31
   19	Minnesota	$63,966	$31
   20	Colorado	$60,502	$29

   Average junior software developer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Apple	$109,958	$52.86	408
   2	Avid	$89,417	$42.99	23
   3	HedgeServ	$87,119	$41.88	1
   4	Saturna Capital	$80,186	$38.55	1
   5	AXA	$80,173	$38.54
   6	Interactive Brokers	$78,281	$37.64	17
   7	Amazon	$77,386	$37.20	873
   8	Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings	$76,082	$36.58	14
   9	Mediaocean	$75,372	$36.24
   10	Nokia	$75,352	$36.23	54
   11	Precise Software Solutions	$74,605	$35.87
   12	Arvato	$73,792	$35.48
   13	TEKsystems	$73,188	$35.19	37
   14	Coburn Supply	$72,860	$35.03
   15	Decisions	$72,845	$35.02	2
   16	Martha's Vineyard Insurance	$72,715	$34.96
   17	Sharp Decisions	$72,639	$34.92	19
   18	Synechron	$72,610	$34.91	49
   19	Randstad North America, Inc.	$72,504	$34.86	72
   20	ABBTECH	$72,480	$34.85	1

4. Writing a junior software developer job description

   A junior 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 a junior software developer job description:

   Junior software developer job description example

   ASRC Federal Cyber is seeking Software Developers with an Active Secret clearance to support a government customer in Arlington, VA. Must have at least 1.5 years of .Net developer experience.
   Junior Software Developer
   
   Location: Arlington, VA
   
   Clearance: Active Secret clearance , or interim Secret clearance
   
   Summary: ASRC Federal Cyber is seeking the best and brightest software development talent in our industry to support the critical mission of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). We are developing the applications that provide the tools necessary for our drug enforcement agents and the greater law enforcement community to take illicit drugs and those who traffic them off the street. The current opioid crisis in our country is testament to the critical mission of the DEA.
   
   Responsibilities:
   
   The candidate will be a part of the operations and maintenance team. Web Application Developers shall be responsible for all code they develop and submit for review. Works in a team environment, utilizing agile development methodologies. Takes direction from team lead and other senior members. Participates in meetings, discussions and demonstrations of applications and associated data in support of operational applications in the Classified, Unclassified, and Sensitive but Unclassified environments.
   
   Requirements
   
   Requirements:
   
   Ability to quickly deliver small projects, and to frequently transition between projects and applications. Experience in packaging and delivering software and documentation to a production environment. Excellent communication skills. Must be a U.S. Citizen and have an active Secret clearance (interim is acceptable). Applicants selected will be subject to a Government security background investigation and must meet eligibility and DEA suitability requirements.
   
   Education/Experience:
   
   Bachelor's degree in Computer Science/Engineering/Information Systems desired Minimum 1.5 years of .NET/C# application development experience Experience with Agile and development methodologies
   
   **COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement Statement
   
   The COVID-19 vaccination requirement in Executive Order 14042 and FAR 52.223-99 is currently not effective. But please note that if those or other related requirements become effective, positions will require successful candidates to obtain and show proof of COVID-19 vaccination(s). ASRC Federal is an equal opportunity employer and will provide reasonable accommodation to those individuals who are unable to be vaccinated consistent with federal, state, and local law.
   
   EEO Statement
   
   ASRC Federal and its Subsidiaries are Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, gender, color, age, sexual orientation, gender identification, national origin, religion, marital status, ancestry, citizenship, disability, protected veteran status, or any other factor prohibited by applicable law.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find junior software developers for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your junior software developer job on Zippia to find and recruit junior software 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

   To successfully recruit junior software developers, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   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 a junior 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 junior software developer

   Once you've found the junior software developer candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new junior software developer. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

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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