Introduction

Mobile developers possess a comprehensive skill set that allows them to handle all aspects of the development process for an application intended for use on smartphones and tablets. They may be specialized in iOS (Apple) or Android development, or may be experienced in both. Their versatility makes them valuable assets to companies looking for an efficient, cost-effective way to build or maintain a mobile application.

However, supply and demand poses a challenge for companies looking to hire mobile developers, with the demand for qualified, experienced mobile engineers outweighing the domestic supply within the US. Businesses often amplify this challenge by restricting their search to local tech talent; however, in recent years, the rise of remote, global work has begun to solve this issue.

What is Mobile Development?

A mobile developer creates applications for smartphones and tablets, specializing in platforms like iOS (Apple) or Android, designing, coding, testing, and maintaining apps that run on these devices, often collaborating with designers and focusing on user experience (UX) across different screen sizes and operating systems.

What does a Mobile developer do?

A mobile developer designs, builds, tests, and maintains user-friendly apps for iOS and Android, using languages like Swift (iOS) or Kotlin/Java (Android), plus frameworks like Flutter/React Native, focusing on performance, user experience, and integrating features like notifications, while collaborating with teams to launch and update applications for various devices.

Mobile Development Skills and Qualifications

Mobile developers will often hold a degree in computer science or similar, though this is not essential. When hiring a mobile developer, it’s most important to look for strong experience in iOS and Android development.

There are also many certifications and qualifications that a mobile developer may have. Popular certifications include:

• Google Associate Android Developer
• Certiport Certified iOS App Developer
• Mobile Development Institute Certified Developer (MDICD)
• Microsoft Xamarin Certified Mobile Developer
• Microsoft MCSD: App Builder
• Oracle Certified Professional, Java ME Mobile Application Developer

Beyond technical skills, soft skills are vital when choosing your mobile developer. Problem-solving is crucial, aiding with troubleshooting and continuous learning. Communication is also essential when looking for any new team member, particularly in facilitating clear and open communication between technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Popular Languages for Mobile Development

Mobile developers are often fluent in at least one Native Mobile language, such as Swift for iOS (Apple) and Kotlin for Android.

• Swift (iOS): Apple’s fast, and efficient language for iOS, macOS and other Apple platforms.
• Kotlin (Android): Google’s preferred language for Android, fully interoperable with Java.
• Java (Android): The traditional language for Android, still widely used in enterprise and legacy apps.
• Objective-C (iOS): The older language for iOS, mostly for maintaining existing apps.

In addition, mobile developers will often Cross-Platform languages and frameworks

• JavaScript/TypeScript (React Native): Allows building apps for iOS and Android using web technologies, ideal for web developers.
• Dart (Flutter): Google’s framework for building beautiful, natively compiled applications from a single codebase.
• C# (Xamarin/.NET MAUI): Used for cross-platform development within the Microsoft ecosystem, often with C#.

What are Mobile development frameworks?

Frameworks are collections of reusable code, templates and tools that provide a foundational structure for building applications effectively and efficiently. Some of the most popular mobile development frameworks include:

• Flutter: A popular framework developed by Google for building mobile, web, and desktop apps from a single codebase using Dart. Used by eBay Motors and Google Pay.
• React Native: An open-source UI software framework developed in 2015 by Meta. Used by Facebook and Microsoft Office.
• Kotlin Multiplatform (KMP): An open-source technology built by JetBrains that allows sharing code across platforms while retaining the benefits of native programming. Used by McDonald’s and Netflix.
• Ionic: An open-source mobile UI toolkit that helps developers build cross-platform mobile applications from a single codebase using web technologies. Used by T-Mobile and EA Games.
• .NET Multi-platform App UI (.NET MAUI): A cross-platform framework owned by Microsoft that allows developers to create native mobile and desktop apps with C# and XAML. Used by NBC Sports.
• NativeScript: Allows developers to build Android and iOS mobile apps using JavaScript or languages that transpile to JavaScript, and frameworks like Angular and Vue.js.

What are some popular stacks in Mobile development?

A stack is a bundle of several distinct software technologies that a mobile developer can use concurrently for rapid application development. Common stacks for mobile development include:

• LAMP: Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP.
• MEAN: MongoDB, Express.js, Angular, and Node.js; a stack based on Java technologies.
• LEMP: Linux, Nginx, MySQL, and PHP; four open-source technologies.
• MERN: MongoDB, Express.js, React.js, and Node.js.
• PERN: PostgreSQL, Express.js, React.js, and Node.js.

What are the benefits of Mobile development?

Mobile development is vital to enhance customer engagement, increase brand loyalty, and provide users with convenience and direct access to services on the go.

• Increased Revenue: Drives sales through direct marketing, loyalty programs, and personalized offers.
• Brand Identity: Acts as a constant brand reminder and helps build trust and loyalty.
• Customer Engagement: Allows for direct, personalized communication via push notifications and in-app messaging.
• Customer Insights: Collects data on user behavior to refine strategies and personalize experiences.

How much does it cost to hire a Mobile developer?

When hiring traditionally in the US for a local, mid-level mobile developer, the average annual compensation is $155,344, with a range of $50,000 to $250,000 according to Built In. However, even by just expanding to other parts of the United States, salaries can be reduced significantly.

On average, companies hiring mobile developers with HireDevelopers can expect to save between 50% and 80% on salaries and hiring costs, with exact salaries varying based on location and experience. The greatest savings can be found by hiring in Africa and Asia, while companies looking for aligned time zones and a closer cultural match can hire from our extensive pool of Latin American developers.

How to hire Mobile developers

The first step to hiring a mobile developer is to decide on a hiring method. Traditional hiring methods include local job adverts, LinkedIn job posts and using your professional network to identify potential candidates.

However, these methods are often time consuming and can be expensive. The median time to hire a developer is around 41 days, with the slowest 10% taking up to 82 days and 38% of companies reporting project delays due to recruitment problems, according to the Linux Foundation’s 2024 State of Tech Talent Report.

Alternatively, many companies are now turning to services like HireDevelopers to cut costs and speed up the hiring process. With HireDevelopers, you can hire mobile developers from anywhere in the world, at any price point, in just 24 hours.

When putting together a job description or job interview for a mobile developer, prioritize technical skills, like familiarity with key frameworks and libraries.

You should also consider using coding challenges alongside a traditional interview during the hiring process – if you’re using a pre-vetted talent pool like HireDevelopers, this has already been done for you. Coding challenges allow you to assess problem-solving skills and coding expertise in a realistic, real-time environment.

If you need help putting together a mobile job description or conducting a mobile developer job interview, you can check out our helpful and comprehensive guides below. Alternatively, to cut your time-to-hire by 90% and unlock savings of up to 80%, get in touch and book your free HireDevelopers consultation today.

Why hire Mobile developers with HireDevelopers?

Hiring the right mobile developer for your team is a huge undertaking, and the process can be intimidating, especially for startups and small businesses.

At HireDevelopers, our pre-vetted, global tech talent marketplace streamlines your hiring journey and cuts time-to-hire by over 90% without compromising on quality or stretching your budget. Receive a custom shortlist of top mobile developers at any seniority level, at any price point and located anywhere in the world within just 24 hours of your consultation.

Plus, we’ll handle all payroll, legal compliance and HR completely for free, giving you more time to start building with your new mobile dev.

Get in touch today and start hiring top-notch mobile developers in just 24 hours.