The first consideration when learning how to become a mobile application developer is whether you plan to build native apps for Android or iOS, or whether you want to study cross-platform technology like Xamarin and React Native.

If you are new to mobile app development, it would be prudent to avoid starting with cross-platform technology, which is rather limited. Generally speaking, native mobile development provides all the foundation you will need to branch out into other spheres of mobile application development.

Regardless of the development platform you choose, the information presented in this guide will help you decide how to go about your education.

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A mobile app developer is a programmer responsible for developing applications that are compatible with mobile devices. Mobile application developers write, test, and deploy apps that can be used on one or more specific platforms.

Android developers and iOS developers build platform-specific apps, which means that they only work on a single operating system. Cross-platform developers create apps that work on both Android and Apple devices.

Suffice it to say that, to become a mobile app developer, you need to have sound knowledge of programming languages, computing, and mobile platforms.

The traditional option for anybody wishing to become a mobile application developer is to pursue a degree at a four-year college or university, majoring in computer science or a related discipline. Most employers hiring mobile app developers require candidates to have a bachelor’s degree.

A recent report by US News found that the average annual tuition among top colleges and universities is $9,687 for in-state public schools, $21,184 for out-of-state public schools, and $35,087 for private institutions.

With that said, less traditional career pathways like coding bootcamps for mobile application developers are becoming more common. Google’s Kotlin course, which we expand on below, is an example of this.

No matter which of the following education tracks you choose, remember that no tutorial or course is a substitute for practical experience. To strengthen your problem-solving skills, you should always pair formal education with self-directed attempts to develop your own Android or iOS apps. It will make you a better app developer in the long run.

An Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Mobile App Development is a community college degree that will provide you with the minimum skills needed for an entry-level job. The AAS program at Mesa Community College in Arizona, for instance, teaches industry-standard tools and methods and prepares students for a number of professional certifications.

The Mesa Community College program can be done either part-time or full-time. Depending on how much of your time you can commit, it will take between two and five years to complete.

Beyond searching for candidates with a strong software development background, development companies are searching for mobile app developers with degrees in software engineering, computer science, or informatics.

To complete a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, for example, you would need to spend between three and six years in school. A degree in one of these fields enhances employability but does not guarantee a job. To give a further boost to your prospects, you could complete a one-year or two-year Master of Science in Computer Science.

Some coding bootcamps offer programs that teach the fundamentals of mobile app development, including programming languages like Java, C++, and Swift. Programs like these tend to run for a few weeks or a few months.

The reason bootcamp programs are desirable is that, even though most of them are shorter than associate degree programs, you can usually benefit from the same flexible scheduling options. Even many full-time courses, such as those offered by Big Nerd Ranch, are so short that you can take them without upending your life.

The most efficient place to learn mobile is from the horse’s mouth. Android and Apple both have learning resources available on their very own development platforms, which you can access for free or at a lower cost than other education pathways.

Whereas Android’s free Android Basics in Kotlin course consists of four units and 40 hours of coursework, Apple’s free course for developers features 19 short modules and takes 12 hours. Both courses train students to build interactive mobile acts for end users. There is a lot of trial and error involved with both courses, along with ample opportunity to improve.

The most compelling feature about this pathway is that it offers a level of practical training that few other programs can match. You will get your hands dirty while learning directly from the folks who invented the tools and technologies you’ll be using.

Above all, a mobile application developer is a creator and an innovator. Once you have the requisite technical skills, the onus will be on you to generate ideas and set them in motion.

The following steps will help you go from a newbie to a master of your craft.

Above all else, companies are looking for developers with proven ability. Saying in a job interview that you have the necessary skills is one thing, but actually having them is another.

Below are the top skills that employers look for when interviewing candidates for entry-level mobile development jobs.

According to PayScale, the average salary for mobile app developers is around $73,000. Depending on your location and experience, you can expect to make as little as $50,000 or as much as $115,000.

Knowledge of a cross-platform technology like React Native is not necessarily a requirement for entry-level jobs, but it would certainly put you on the inside track. So too will knowledge of HTML, JavaScript, and CSS.

An entry-level mobile app developer can expect to earn around $79,000, according to ZipRecruiter. For that salary, an Android developer is expected to have sound knowledge of Java and Kotlin. The Apple equivalent is Swift or Objective-C. In most cases, sound knowledge comes with two years of experience, completion of a bootcamp program, or both.

Your day-to-day duties as a mobile developer will depend on your company and the level of experience required to do your job. However, there is a core set of duties that you will be expected to perform regardless of your specific circumstances.

A developer certification will give you a competitive edge over your mobile development rivals in 2021. The field is highly competitive, and adding additional strings to your bow can be the difference between succeeding and failing in a job interview.

This certification is to confirm your Java programming skills. It is a certification that is actually earned in two clear steps, which is why it carries so much weight.

You first need to be recognized as an Oracle Certified Associate (OCA). An OCA is somebody who can demonstrate a fundamental understanding of the Java programming language. To then earn your OCP, you need to be able to demonstrate that you are highly skilled at using the Java Platform for software development.

This certification is for intermediate developers who already have some meaningful practical experience in the field. Specifically, it is designed for those using Mobile Foundation V8.0.

This development environment is useful for a mobile developer who wishes to create client-side applications for the front end, server-side integration on the backend, and security components.

If you’re up for a platform-specific job, you should be prepared to answer questions specific to Android or iOS. But you should also be ready for general technical and behavioral questions relevant to all mobile developers.

We focus on the more general set of questions below. Keep in mind that there are no guarantees that these questions will be asked in your interviews.

As a point of departure, you should never put a strict timeline on becoming a mobile app developer. The reality is that in a field as specialized as this, people will learn and absorb information at different speeds. Rather place emphasis on getting through your material, without keeping an eye on the clock.

If you pursue the more traditional method of studying towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, you could spend anywhere from three to five years. Add a master’s degree, and you’ll tack on another one or two years. This route can be costly and time-consuming.

For people who can’t reasonably be expected to pursue this track, there are newer, more practical options, including bootcamps, comprehensive online courses, and professional certifications, which can be completed in a matter of weeks or months.

Yes, the demand for these skills has never been higher. According to the International Data Corporation, the market for smartphones is growing. This trend appears poised to continue in 2021 and beyond.

Suffice it to say that the more smartphone users there are, the greater the demand for mobile application developers will be.