Find a school near you!

Animation? Design? Game Art?

Info on Working as a Mobile App Developer in Iowa

Written by Judee ShipmanMay 24, 2012
Iowa
Have you heard about Animation Mentor? The online school of animation and VFX offers online courses with top industry professionals. Animation courses include Animation Basics, Animation Body Mechanics, and Advanced Acting. Do you want access to a world-class education from anywhere with an internet connection? Get started at Animation Mentor today.
view counter

Corporations in the state of Iowa issue a fast increasing demand for developers of mobile computer applications.  These virally popular media forms known as mobile apps serve more than a million useful purposes.  Download forms and documents.  View flash cards.  Compare prices.  Check local weather.  Hear the latest breaking news.  Thousands of high tech professionals in Iowa enjoy lucrative local careers as app developers.

Iowa Schools and Training Programs for App Developers

view counter

Aspiring Iowa app developers attending local colleges typically study programming languages and communication design.  Accredited Iowa schools appropriate for app developers in training include Iowa State University in Ames, University of Iowa in Iowa City, Vatterott College in Des Moines and ITT Tech in Clive. 

Additional educational options include private instruction and self-teaching methods.  Still, other local app developers acquire skills online.  Successful accredited online schools of computer science include American Intercontinental University, Ashworth College, Colorado Christian University, Full Sail University and Post University, to mention just a few examples. 

Working as a Mobile App Developer in Iowa  

Professional app development experts living in Iowa sometimes work for local computer programming companies like Application Design Services in Des Moines, Computer Horizons in Cedar Rapids, Doc Data in Marion, Skarin Computer Services in Denison and Digital Canal in Dubuque, for example.  Some app developers design digital products for local prepackaged software wholesalers like Powersoft in Spencer, Kingland Systems in Clear Lake, MacGregor Computer Service in Fairfield, Computer Software Development in Center Point or Iowa Computer Gurus in Des Moines. 

According to data compiled in 2011 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average claimed yearly income for developers of mobile applications working full time in the state of Iowa is about $74,730, with a reported mean hourly rate of around $35.95.  Companies based in Iowa pay the salaries of approximately 4,530 full time app developers. 

Freelance mobile app developers stand to earn higher incomes, but also take greater financial risks.  Development costs will vary, but often start at $5,000.  However, the best freelance app developers make as much as $200,000 (maybe more) for just one winning mobile app design.  Aside from selling self-designed apps at the app store, local freelancers also earn income by teaching, writing, consulting and subcontracting, among other things. 

Skills of a Professional App Developer

Professional app developers are, above all, experienced and talented programmers.  Among their many other skills are graphic design, website design, server development, internet research and online marketing techniques.  App developers who expect to see a project through from start to finish must necessarily be highly organized, extremely persistent and exceedingly attentive to detail.