As the mobile market grows iOS developers are increasingly in demand. Readout below to know what does an iOS app developer does.
War for talent especially in the software development sector has led to salary increases, even for entry-level jobs. Application development is one of the fortunate works that can be done from home. As a result, an increasing number of people choose to work as iOS app developers.
Of course, income and independence are important, but they are not sufficient. Anyone developing iOS applications would like to make something they are proud of that will help a lot of people.
However, being an iOS developer necessitates some work. As a result, it is crucial to focus on the correct approach to avoid wasting time on ineffective practices.
That’s why we put together this comprehensive, step-by-step guide on iOS app development.
iOS App Development Labor Market
Apple claims on its webpage that it has generated two million jobs in the United States alone.
iOS app developers are in demand positions in companies around the world. Salaries are one of the key reasons that people choose to work in iOS app development.
Apps also generated a digital economy that will be worth over $6 trillion by 2021. It can be the reason behind the high demand for iOS developers.
Salary of an iOS developer
In general, app developers earn a lot of money. This is true for iOS developers as well. However, how much you can make is determined by a variety of variables. Your position and background are the most important factors.
Fortunately, there are a few sources where you can get an estimate. These are the compensation for iOS developers in the U.S., according to the Glassdoor website:
- Junior iOS applications developers’ annual salary in the U.S.: $70K
- Average iOS applications developers’ annual salary in the U.S.: $96K
- Senior iOS applications developers’ annual salary in the U.S.: $131K
These statistics provide a good estimation of the mobile development income, though they can vary for different locations.
What do iOS Developers do?
An iOS developer is responsible for creating apps for Apple’s iOS operating system-based mobile devices. There are two programming languages that any successful iOS developer should be familiar with: Objective-C or Swift.
In addition, iOS developers must have a thorough knowledge of the platform’s patterns and activities.
The day-to-day job of an iOS developer would mostly include programming, meaning typing codes in a text editor. Designing the iOS app would not be a part of an iOS developer’s job, it is the duty of UI designers.
UI design is a distinct discipline that necessitates additional research. It is a capability that can come in handy (much) later in your career or whether you want to create your own applications. However, if what you want to do is build applications like the ones on Dribbble, you are seeking to become a designer rather than a developer.
As a developer, you can collaborate with designers who are in charge of an app’s visual presentation. Instead, you should focus on its functionality. This means you won’t have to work with design tools such as Omnigraffle, Figma, or Sketch.
It means that while some design tools can be used to create applications, you will spend the majority of your time typing and coding.
Main Duties of an iOS Developer
Writing a decent job description and advertising for an iOS developer necessitates putting a strong focus on the project’s unique technology.
Suppose that you are searching for an advanced iOS developer to fill a particular niche. Then, a general iOS developer job description would attract a lot of applicants unfamiliar with the appropriate technologies.
Here we would like to provide you with a template job description of the iOS app developer. It can assist those who want to write a job ad. This way we can ensure that you quickly find and start working with the person who meets your unique requirements. It is also helpful in familiarizing yourself with the requirements of such positions.
Company Introduction
[Write a brief and attractive description of your organization. Discuss details like company culture, rewards, and incentives. Include business hours, remote working options, and everything else that you can think about that makes the organization more appealing.]
Job Description
Our company is looking for an iOS app developer with the main duties of the development and maintenance of iOS applications for iOS devices.
Your key focus will be to build iOS apps and integrate them with back-end services. You will be collaborating with other designers and developers on various levels of the system.
Duties And Responsibilities
- Plan and develop iOS applications.
- Ensure device functionality, consistency, and responsiveness.
- Collaborate with the team to identify, design, and launch new features.
- Identify and address bottlenecks, as well as glitches.
- Assist in maintaining code consistency, organization, and automation.
- [Any other responsibility that you see fit for your vacancy.]
Skills and Capabilities
- Expertise in Objective-C or Swift [based on project needs], as well as Cocoa Touch
- Knowledge of iOS systems such as Core Data, Core Animation, and so on.
- Benchmarking and optimization skills
- Knowledge of RESTful APIs for connecting iOS applications to back-end services
- Knowledge of offline storage, threading, and performance optimization
- Familiarity with Apple’s design standards and user interface guidance
- [Any other skills that you see fit for your vacancy.]
A general sample of iOS app developer job description looks like this, but any company can customize it.
The prerequisite of becoming an iOS developer
If you are interested in iOS app development you should know what it requires before walking into this career path.
Personal Qualities
The following are the important characteristics of an application developer:
- abstract thought, imagination, and innovation
- spatial reasoning and structure design
- logical reasoning and problem-solving
Almost all of these characteristics are associated with intelligence. You should also consider your personality traits with regards to app development requirements in terms of personality.
iPhone Device
The interesting point is you don’t necessarily need to own an iPhone to be able to become an iOS developer. Having an iPhone device can be helpful during the process of iOS development but it is optional.
Mac Device
A Mac device is required to learn iOS app development. Though it is theoretically possible to run macOS on a Windows or Linux system, it is not a simple process.
Furthermore, it is not permitted by Apple’s license. Starting with something illegal may not be the best way to become an iOS developer (or anything else). Although Macs are expensive, taking shortcuts can have a negative long-term psychological impact.
Mac mini having an M1 processor can even outperform professional computers, but they are still costly. You can check out Apple’s refurbished Macs for additional offers.
Apple releases new versions of iOS and macOS every year during June at its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC), so stay tuned for updates on their website. Check if the Mac you purchase will run the most recent update of macOS, as well as the next one if Apple hasn’t already released it.
XCode
You will need to run Xcode on your Mac after you have purchased it.
Xcode is the optimized programming environment (IDE) that most iOS software developers use. It is available for download on the Mac App Store or directly from Apple’s website.
Summary
Although it takes years to become an expert iOS app developer, publishing the first iOS would not take that long. Learning how to code using Swift can be a good start.
Moreover, consider the prerequisite before starting to walk in this career path. It is an in-demand career and a fun job to have if you are interested and have the qualities required.
