To say that smart phone apps are big business would be an understatement. There are few career sectors that can claim the rapid growth rate that we see in app design and development. According to some estimates, the total revenue from consumer mobile apps is expected to top $50 billion by 2016.
Applicable Education
While there are child prodigies who develop killer apps in their parent’s basement, most app designers have a formal education in computer information systems. Degrees with a concentration in app development can provide a competitive advantage through the advanced study of relevant programming languages and mobile user interface design strategies.
Professional certifications can also work in your favor if you are seriously pursuing a career in smart phone app design. As of yet, there is no industry standard, but there are three recognized programs that can add to your credentials:
Certified Developer certification (MDICD) from the Mobile Development Institute (MDI)
- CompTIA Secure Mobile App Developer certification from CompTIA and viaForensics
- Sun Certified Mobile Applications Developer (SCMAD) for the Java 2 platform
Appreciable Talent
Beyond education and training, the best way to display your skills is by building an app that has viability in today’s marketplace. Companies look for apps that:
- Work on multiple platforms including iOS, Android, and Windows.
- Use HTML5 programming, which is accepted across most platforms.
- Have designs and user interfaces that are both functional and visually pleasing.
- Are efficient in the amount of bandwidth required by users’ smart phones.
- Are marketable in terms of what’s popular, yet different enough to create a buzz.
- Have widespread appeal across several demographic groups.
According to Mashable, the five most downloaded types of apps are games, weather, social networking, mapping/navigation, and music. Over 64 percent of users have gaming apps on their smartphones, followed closely by 60 percent with weather apps.
The single most used app in the world is Google Maps, with an active community of approximately 523 million users. Facebook (462 million) and YouTube (339 million) apps round out the top three, as listed on the GlobalWebIndex.
Appealing Opportunities
The career outlook for prolific smart phone app developers is quite favorable. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports an overall growth of 30% for all software development careers through 2020. It can be a lucrative career choice as well, with the staffing firm Robert Half Technology specifying a salary range from $92,750 to $133,500.
A group called salarybystate.org conducted a salary survey of iOS developers who specialize in apps for iPhone and iPad. They uncovered the following top 10 best-paying states, some of which may surprise you:
- Mississippi
- New York
- Massachusetts
- Washington
- California
- Georgia
- Connecticut
- New Jersey
- Illinois
- Montana/Alabama (tied)
Some developers choose a freelance path. There is good money to be made, but the competition is fierce. In fact, each week, Apple receives an estimated 10,000 app submissions. But, beyond the big names like Apple and Google Play, there are countless start-ups and established companies that want your ability to develop custom apps.
Be prepared to share your work and negotiate your terms when you pitch a company on your own. Businesses will be interested in the apps that you’ve created in the past, as well as references from your other clients. You should also be ready to speak to the marketability of the custom app concept, negotiate ownership rights, and determine a flat fee or hourly rate. Once the scope of work has been documented and signed, don’t hesitate to request a portion of your payment up front.
Sources:
http://mashable.com/2012/08/27/app-developer-infographic/
http://webindustry.com/services/smart-phone-application-development/
http://smallbusiness.chron.com/make-money-selling-smartphone-apps-34032.html
http://www.entrepreneur.com/blog/225694
http://www.geekwire.com/2012/6-hot-tech-jobs-money-2013/