If you’ve even used an app and been floored by how easy it is to navigate and use, know that there’s probably a team of hardworking Android Developers who made that happen. As Internet usage surges across the world, this sector has seen a spike in job openings, which makes this a pretty stable career to pursue.
We at HiCounselor like to help our readers figure out what they love to do and then help them pursue it. Read on to learn how to become an Android Developer in 2022. If you need help in getting your career started in the tech field, get in touch with us and have a chat with one of our friendly mentors!
Who is an Android Developer?
A lot of us use desktop and mobile applications to perform our daily activities. Android Developers are the ones who make these apps. They’re basically Software Developers with expertise in the Android domain. They create all kinds of apps, like games, utilities, social media, news, etc.
Some of the roles and responsibilities of Android Developers include working with Design and Testing teams to create better products with fewer bugs. They have to work with different API & data sources and should know how to fix bugs. Of course, one of their main functions is to design and build apps for the Android marketplace.
What Technical Skills does an Android Developer need?
If you want to become an Android Developer, there are some skills you must possess. First, learn Java since it is the official programming language for Android apps. Another language that’ll come in handy is XML as it’s used for design, blueprint, presentation, layout, etc. of the apps. Kotlin was introduced as the secondary official Java language in 2017 so that’s another language you’ll want to be familiar with.
Another important technical skill for Android Developers to master is Android SDKs, which are Java code modules that provide access to mobile device functions (like the camera). Android Studio is the integrated development environment for this OS and every developer should know how to use it. It’s used to create new projects, activities, classes, and resource files. It provides code suggestions as well as debugging help.
All Android Developers should also be familiar with various components like APIs and databases. The first lets you interact with other services so your users can navigate the app with greater ease. You can also use Google APIs to monitor user location so they can be provided with local suggestions and references. Databases can help plug your app so you can sync information and more.
What’s the Job Outlook for Android Developers?
This is a growing field as more users get Android apps on their computers, mobile phones, TVs, and smartwatches. Android Development has been one of the most in-demand tech skills for the past few years. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), this role is projected to grow 22% from 2020 to 2030, with around 189,200 Software Developer job openings each year.
The median wage for Software Developers in May 2020 was US$110,140 per year or US$52.95 per hour. According to Glassdoor.com, Android Developers earned an average salary of US$99,249 annually in 2022. As the demand for different kinds of apps is only on the rise, there’s bound to be a need for Android Developers in the coming future.
How to get an Android Developer job?
As we’ve mentioned before, there are plenty of job opportunities in the market. There are still some things you can do to improve your chances of getting a good job. Some of the companies that value good Android Developers include mobile game studios, start-ups, large firms that manage their own apps, and app companies that offer services to others.
Like all tech jobs, the more skills you have on your resume, the more likely you are to get hired. Companies would rather hire an Android Developer with some HTML knowledge because they can get some more work out of them than someone who just specializes in Android skills. So keep learning new skills and remember to add them to your resume.
If you can gain some experience by pursuing freelance projects or even personal projects, it can give you some real-world experience instead of just theoretical knowledge. It also helps pad your resume if you’re an entry-level Android Developer. You can also get involved in an open-source community on GitHub.
If you’d rather work for yourself than others, start by taking on gig jobs for small firms. There are plenty of smaller companies that need good Android Developers for their apps. If you’re the only one they’re paying, you won’t have to share your profits with anyone and you can have your own work routine. It might be a smaller start but if you’re skilled, then you should be able to get enough clients after some time.
We hope these Android Developer FAQs for 2022 will help you decide how to plan your career in this field! If you need more help in getting your career going, get in touch with us at HiCounselor and let one of our experts help you out.
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