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What does a mobile app developer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted expert
Frank McCown Ph.D.

A mobile app developer is primarily in charge of designing and developing applications for mobile devices. Typically working with a team, the responsibilities of a mobile app developer include planning new systems, generating codes, creating test structures for applications, troubleshooting, fixing bugs, and executing upgrades and modifications. They must also monitor client feedbacks on existing applications, performing corrective measures or adjustments as needed. Furthermore, as a mobile app developer, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with team members, coordinating every step of the way.

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Mobile app developer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real mobile app developer resumes:

  • Manage all aspects of maintaining/improving multiple websites running on Magento.
  • Experience in programming languages such as ASP.net, HTML5and JavaScript and markup languages such as XML and JSON.
  • Work on web service calls, XML and JSON parsing include in the project.
  • Experience in working with data parsing forms such as XML and JSON, to dynamically display data on iPhone/iPad.
  • Used git as a version control for project.
  • Develop CSS for consistent look and feel of the web site.
  • Handle XML data using efficient parsing techniques such as DOM parser.
  • Implement customized web view component to load an SWF file and HTML data.
  • Develop highly efficient Java code and view layouts and the ability to diagnose performance bottleneck.
  • Work with XSLT for transforming the XML document to other format, and data change/updates.
  • Design the complete MVC flow for the application with UI components and controllers to be used for iPhone.
  • Implement improvement in smooth swiping of the UI, also adding an improvement to the text editor, permitting easier input.
  • Install Drupal modules and modify customize modules.
  • Train internal Java developers for further application maintenance.
  • Allow management to add/delete/modify project assignments via the intranet.

Mobile app developer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 7% of Mobile APP Developers are proficient in Java, JavaScript, and React Native. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Interpersonal skills.

We break down the percentage of Mobile APP Developers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Java, 7%

    Developed an android app utilizing java for the Florida Military Family Community Covenant.

  • JavaScript, 5%

    Developed the presentation layer of the project using HTML5, CSS3, JSP, JavaScript, Underscore JS.

  • React Native, 5%

    Completed development of mobile application in React Native targeting Android and iOS platforms.

  • Application Development, 5%

    Assisted other application development staff by giving advice on the development standards, testing and analysis of the assignment.

  • Python, 5%

    Developed python scripts for deploying the ear's to WAS Server and configuring the same through scripts.

  • C++, 4%

    Help fellow team and coworkers with resolving complex C++ issues.

"java," "javascript," and "react native" are among the most common skills that mobile app developers use at work. You can find even more mobile app developer responsibilities below, including:

Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a mobile app developer to carry out their responsibilities is analytical skills. This skill is important for the role because "developers must analyze users’ needs and then design software to meet those needs." Additionally, a mobile app developer resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "created applications for migrating data between systems/databases using java, xml and sql. "

Communication skills. Another essential skill to perform mobile app developer duties is communication skills. Mobile app developers responsibilities require that "developers must be able to give clear instructions to others working on a project." Mobile app developers also use communication skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "used latest android api's and built a framework for communication between android java code and the java script/jquery code. "

Interpersonal skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of mobile app developers is interpersonal skills. This skill is critical to many everyday mobile app developer duties, as "software developers must be able to work well with others who contribute to designing, developing, and programming successful software." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "developed strong interpersonal and communication skills woking with a team of back end and front end website developers. "

Problem-solving skills. For certain mobile app developer responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "problem-solving skills." The day-to-day duties of a mobile app developer rely on this skill, as "because developers are in charge of software from beginning to end, they must be able to solve problems that arise throughout the design process." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what mobile app developers do: "designed and implemented native ios solutions that utilize rest web services for integration with back end processes. "

Creativity. A commonly-found skill in mobile app developer job descriptions, "creativity" is essential to what mobile app developers do. Mobile app developer responsibilities rely on this skill because "developers are the creative minds behind new computer software." You can also see how mobile app developer duties rely on creativity in this resume example: "created an inventory of information necessary for the application and integrated data into the system via javascript"

Detail oriented. While "detail oriented" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to mobile app developer responsibilities. Much of what a mobile app developer does relies on this skill, seeing as "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 is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of mobile app developers: "worked with master detail flow using fragments to make efficient ui using single activity worked for both mobiles and tablets. "

All mobile app developer skills

The three companies that hire the most mobile app developers are:

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Compare different mobile app developers

Mobile app 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.

If we compare the average mobile app developer annual salary with that of a software developer internship, we find that software developer interns typically earn a $61,360 lower salary than mobile app developers make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both mobile app developer and software developer internship positions are skilled in java, javascript, and react native.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, mobile app developer responsibilities require skills like "c #," "design patterns," "objective-c," and "xamarin." 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, mobile app developers tend to make the most money in the health care industry with an average salary of $103,215.The education levels that software developer interns earn slightly differ from mobile app developers. In particular, software developer interns are 5.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a mobile app developer. Additionally, they're 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Mobile app developer vs. Applications developer

An application developer is responsible for creating program applications for devices based on clients' specifications and business needs. Application developers must have excellent knowledge of computer systems, as well as a strong command of programming languages to develop customized programs. Duties of an application developer also include running diagnostic tests to ensure the application's performance and stability, providing instruction manuals for reference, performing troubleshooting for any inconsistencies, upgrading design codes for optimization, and launching the application following the client's timetable.

Applications developer positions earn lower pay than mobile app developer roles. They earn a $10,635 lower salary than mobile app developers per year.A few skills overlap for mobile app developers and applications developers. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "java," "javascript," and "react native. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real mobile app developer resumes. While mobile app developer responsibilities can utilize skills like "python," "c #," "design patterns," and "xamarin," applications developers use skills like "database," "regression," "api," and "spring boot."

On average, applications developers earn a lower salary than mobile app developers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, applications developers earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $103,905. Whereas mobile app developers have higher pay in the health care industry, with an average salary of $103,215.In general, applications developers achieve similar levels of education than mobile app developers. They're 2.2% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for mobile app developers in the next 3-5 years?

Frank McCown Ph.D.Frank McCown Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Associate Professor, Harding University

Software continues to move to mobile devices and the web and away from desktop applications. The pandemic has encouraged growth in applications that make in-person transactions go away, and that trend will likely continue. Obviously AI-enabled or assisted applications will continue to grow.

Mobile app developer vs. Lead software developer

A lead software developer is responsible for creating and designing software applications and systems to support business functions and client requirements. Lead software developers analyze specifications to build efficient applications, conduct multiple quality testing, and enhance the user's interface. They also coordinate with the design engineers to modify and improve the features of existing software applications for optimal performance. A lead software developer must have excellent communication and technical skills, especially in considering the current technology trends to meet demands.

On average, lead software developers earn higher salaries than mobile app developers, with a $15,232 difference per year.mobile app developers and lead software developers both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "java," "javascript," and "application development," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from mobile app developer resumes include skills like "react native," "c #," "css3," and "git," whereas a lead software developer is more likely to list skills in "architecture," "software development," "api," and "project management. "

Lead software developers earn the best pay in the manufacturing industry, where they command an average salary of $115,917. Mobile app developers earn the highest pay from the health care industry, with an average salary of $103,215.lead software developers typically earn similar educational levels compared to mobile app developers. Specifically, they're 4.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Mobile app developer vs. Datastage developer

Datastage developers supervise technology design and building. These developers implement various tools and solutions. They provide estimations, make an analysis of requirements, and set up Datastage projects according to requirements. Datastage developers' responsibility is to understand business requirements, ensure consistent unit tests, and design applications according to requirements. Once there is an update, these developers support the technology infrastructure team implementation and train clients. To be successful as Datastage developers, they must know application design and development, analytical skills, and a self-starter.

Datastage developers typically earn lower pay than mobile app developers. On average, datastage developers earn a $10,019 lower salary per year.While their salaries may vary, mobile app developers and datastage developers both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "java," "xml," and "jenkins. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between mobile app developers and datastage developers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a mobile app developer might have more use for skills like "javascript," "react native," "application development," and "python." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of datastage developers require skills like "database," "unix," "data warehouse," and "datastage etl. "

The health care industry tends to pay the highest salaries for datastage developers, with average annual pay of $107,514. Comparatively, the highest mobile app developer annual salary comes from the health care industry.The average resume of datastage developers showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to mobile app developers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 4.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.5%.

Types of mobile app developer

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.

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