How to Become a Mobile App Developer in San Jose, California

Dot com executives, move over.  The hot new topic in today's high tech work force is the development of mobile computer applications.  Commercial businesses in the city of San Jose, California are experiencing a fast growing demand for the skills of professional app developers.  Apps are downloaded to find homes for rent, plan trips, look up show times, count calories, compare costs and for many hundred thousand other useful purposes.

San Jose Schools and Training Programs for App Developers

Aspiring app developers seeking technical skills training often attend local colleges, where they typically study computer programming and communications.  San Jose colleges with computer science and interactive design programs include San Jose State University, University of California at San Jose, DeVry University and Keller Graduate School of Management.

Other San Jose app developers acquire technical skills online.  Successful accredited online computer schools include American Intercontinental University, Baker College, Colorado Christian University, Strayer University and Rasmussen College, to list just a few. 

Working as a Mobile App Developer in San Jose, Connecticut

San Jose app developers often go the traditional route, securing steady positions at local computer programming service firms like Computer Wizards, Human Computing, Yamaguchi Computers, Cashedge and Alltech Software Solutions, for instance.  Some San Jose professionals help develop mobile applications for prepackaged software businesses like Cadence Design Systems, Realization Technologies, Systat Software, Adobe Systems and Oracle.  Other companies in San Jose that might hire app developers include architects, government offices, research organizations, miscellaneous retailers and private subcontractors, among others. 

Reports available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics suggest that the average annual income for app developers employed full time in San Jose, California is claimed at about $117,150, with a reported mean hourly rate of about $56.30.  Corporations and small businesses in San Jose support roughly 26,390 full time professional app developers. 

The salaries of freelance app developers are much more open ended.  Employment options for freelancers include teaching, consulting, website construction and self-powered marketing campaigns for original app designs.  The cost of developing a mobile app from beginning to end (including server fees and other post-production costs) starts at around $5,000.  

Skills of Mobile App Developers

Interpersonal skills required of successful app developers are innovation, organization, self-motivation, persistence and a strong sense of entrepreneurship.  That's the easy part.  Technical skills needed for app development from concept to completion are programming expertise, graphic design, web design and interactive design.  Professional app developers are also fully familiar with infrastructure, server development and web based platforms.