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Info on Working as a Mobile App Developer in Los Angeles, California

Written by Judee ShipmanMay 17, 2012
Los Angeles, California
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Businesses in the city of Los Angeles, California are lately on the lookout for local professionals who develop computer applications.  App development is the trendiest high tech career in today's commercial economy.  Mobile apps serve an endless variety of purposes.  Equipped with only a hand held device, we can navigate the world with a compass, learn where lightning strikes, formulate a travel itinerary, get public transportation schedules, download documents and perform countless other cool and useful tasks.

Los Angeles Schools and Training Programs for App Developers

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Aspiring Los Angeles app developers enrolled at local colleges often major in programming languages or communication design.  Los Angeles area colleges that offer classes and degree studies in these subjects include USC, UCLA, Loyola Marymount University, Argosy University, DeVry University, Stanbridge College and Keller Graduate School of Management. 

On the other hand, some Los Angeles app developers attain skills and degrees via online educational alternatives.  Popular accredited online schools with programs related to app design include Baker College, Everest University, Post University, Strayer University and Walden University, to name a few. 

Working as a Mobile App Developer in Los Angeles, California

Mobile app developers in Los Angeles, California are often employed at local computer programming corporations like Application Consulting, BMI Computers, Malo the Dog, Space Computer Corporation and Planetech, for example.  Some app developers help design applications for prepackaged software businesses like HH Gavin Computer Applications, Think Fast, Mutual Minded, Katharion or Binary Digital.  

The average annual salary of an app developer working full time in the city of Los Angeles, California is about $94,180, with a reported mean hourly rate of approximately $45.30.  Commercial businesses in Los Angeles currently support roughly 14,110 professional app developers. 

Freelance app developers are advised to formulate a business plan and do a careful cost analysis.  Development of a single app from concept to completion can cost anywhere from about $5,000 to more than $200,000.  The entire app development process takes from two weeks to a few months, depending on the complexity of the app design. Not very many apps in app store generate a profit.  App developers often find themselves better off financially by working for a local company or by building and maintaining app-related websites.  Some app developers earn extra income by providing one-on-one app development training for $100 an hour or more.  Then again, like Angry Birds, some mobile apps strike a universal chord.   

Skills of Mobile App Developers

Personally, app developers are innovative, self-motivated high tech professionals with highly developed organizational skills.  Technical qualifications for successful app development include website construction, interactive design and fluency in several programming languages.  App developers must also do thorough research and gain full understanding of web platforms and server development.  Project management skills are another crucial factor in the development of a successful mobile app.