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What is a senior application specialist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Dr. Neil Eldin PhD, PE

Senior application specialists are seasoned professionals in application engineering. They design software and computer applications to offer innovative solutions for various business needs. They oversee the entire process of creating applications, from design to implementation, testing, and delivery of the products. Senior professionals in this field serve organizational functions in addition, delegating tasks and managing projects for junior-level colleagues.

Working in this position, you will come up with designs and solutions in alignment with product specifications received from your clients or managers. You will implement software and support users within or outside your organization. Training customers on the correct use of the applications might be your job as well.

A degree in computer science, software design, or an IT-related area is typically required from candidates for this position. You will need leadership skills and the ability to manage your time, and others', efficiently. Problem solving and troubleshooting will be a big part of the job, and the ability to work in a team and communicate efficiently will be crucial. Holding this position will earn you $95,614 a year on average.

What general advice would you give to a senior application specialist?

Dr. Neil Eldin PhD, PE

Professor, Website

Things don’t just happen. You must develop a career plan to maximize your salary potential when starting your career. Find the right employer for yourself. For example, if you are mobile and willing to travel, target employers with international projects. After working for a few years, you can request a transfer to an overseas assignment, and this will instantaneously almost double your salary. If you are not mobile and your circumstances do not allow your travel, seek employment with major corporations and seek positions that are done at the home office (e.g., estimating, procurement, and contracting).
ScoreSenior Application SpecialistUS Average
Salary
7.8

Avg. Salary $108,846

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
6.7

Growth rate 10%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.2
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.42%

Asian 13.34%

Black or African American 10.44%

Hispanic or Latino 14.76%

Unknown 5.53%

White 55.52%

Gender

female 39.71%

male 60.29%

Age - 41
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 - 41
Stress level
6.7

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
6.5

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
7.4

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Senior application specialist career paths

Key steps to become a senior application specialist

  1. Explore senior application specialist education requirements

    Most common senior application specialist degrees

    Bachelor's

    66.6 %

    Associate

    13.8 %

    Master's

    12.6 %
  2. Start to develop specific senior application specialist skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Project Management10.45%
    Java7.15%
    Technical Support6.44%
    Troubleshoot5.29%
    SR5.27%
  3. Complete relevant senior application specialist training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New senior application specialists 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 senior application specialist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real senior application specialist resumes.
  4. Research senior application specialist duties and responsibilities

    • Manage IBM's principal clients' UNIX infra-structure and application at all tiers.
    • Create reusable utility Java classes for managing files in local and HDFS file system using commons IO and HDFS Java API.
    • Manage transition from client-base UNIX to web-base front-end environment.
    • Assist customers with OS migrations during installation to achieve operating system continuity.
  5. Get senior application specialist experience

    Generally, it takes 1-2 years to become a senior application specialist. The most common roles before becoming a senior application specialist include application specialist, consultant team lead and programmer analyst.
  6. Prepare your senior application specialist resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your senior application specialist 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 senior application specialist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable senior application specialist resume templates

    Build a professional senior application specialist 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 senior application specialist resume.
    Senior Application Specialist Resume
    Senior Application Specialist Resume
    Senior Application Specialist Resume
    Senior Application Specialist Resume
    Senior Application Specialist Resume
    Senior Application Specialist Resume
    Senior Application Specialist Resume
    Senior Application Specialist Resume
    Senior Application Specialist Resume
  7. Apply for senior application specialist jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a senior application specialist 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 senior application specialist job

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Average senior application specialist salary

The average senior application specialist salary in the United States is $108,846 per year or $52 per hour. Senior application specialist salaries range between $86,000 and $137,000 per year.

Average senior application specialist salary
$108,846 Yearly
$52.33 hourly

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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.

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