If you’re a mobile app developer who wants to find out what industries hire the most mobile developers, this article is for you. Mobile developers are in demand across the globe due to the growth of mobile technology and apps. Below is a complete guide to what industries use mobile developers and what path you can take to land a mobile developer position.
What Does a Mobile Developer Do?
Mobile developers, also referred to as mobile app developers, are a type of software developer. They specialize in creating apps for mobile platforms such as Android, iOS, and Windows. A mobile developer will usually choose to focus on developing for Apple’s iOS or Google’s Android operating system, although knowledge in all operating systems is an advantage.
Mobile developers typically work with a team that contains other tech professionals such as testers, programmers, and quality assurance specialists. Part of their work is to make sure that their final product is user-friendly.
They often have a hectic schedule because they must concurrently work on design and testing, as well as maintaining apps that have already been deployed in the market. On top of that, they also need to keep up with new developments in their field by attending mobile development courses and training.
Responsibilities of a Mobile Developer
- They are active in the entire mobile application lifecycle, including conceptualization, design, testing, and deployment.
- They develop application programming interfaces (APIs) to ensure mobile functionality.
- They stay up to date with mobile coding best practices, technologies, and concepts.
- They use existing web applications to their advantage.
- They work closely with clients and collaborate with fellow developers to keep abreast of trends.
How Much Can You Earn as a Mobile Developer?
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the annual salary of a software developer is $110,140, annually. The pay is slightly higher than other in-demand tech jobs. The highest 10 percent earners get an average salary of around $170,100, while the lowest 10 percent earn an average salary of $65,210.
Demand for Mobile Developers in 2022
Software developer jobs have a very positive job outlook at a projected 22 percent employment growth between 2020 and 2030. The constant need for new smartphone applications is fueling the demand for mobile developers. Almost every industry needs mobile apps and digital platforms to provide better services, including healthcare, finance, entertainment, IT, ecommerce, and education.
Mobile developers have experience in programming and backgrounds in tech, which allows them to do more than just develop apps. They can also work as testers, quality assurance analysts, designers, and project managers. This diverse skill set means they are even more in demand.
Which Industries Use Mobile Development the Most?
Mobile apps have become more important to businesses than mobile websites because they are often more convenient and can be tailored to provide a better user experience. Industries that benefit most from mobile app development include healthcare, finance, entertainment, IT, travel, food services, retail, education, and logistics.
Top Industries With Mobile Developer Jobs
Tech Industry
- In-demand jobs: Mobile developers, software development engineers, Android/iOS developers
Tech companies are almost always seeking software and app developers. The companies’ main goal is to design and release new software applications, so they hire teams of developers that can see the companies’ visions through.
Other major industries rely on the new products developed by these tech companies to resolve their computer software problems. The software developed by IT companies can in turn be used by companies in other fields. A strong app will then hopefully help build a loyal client base for the non-IT company.
Top Attractive Employers for Mobile Developers in the IT Industry
| Company | Global Headcount | Hiring In | Hiring For |
| Apple | 147,000 | Texas, California, Washington, China, Israel, Singapore | Software development engineer |
| Accenture | 674,000 | Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York | Mobile developer |
| IBM | 345,900 | Canada, China, India, Texas, California, Illinois | Mobile application developer |
| Microsoft | 182,268 | New York, California, Washington, Canada, Washington DC | Android/iOS mobile developer |
| SAP | 102,430 | Texas, Pennsylvania | Mobile developer iOS/Android |
Leisure and Hospitality
- In-demand jobs: iOS software engineer, mobile IT manager, mobile marketing developer
The leisure and hospitality industry is one of today’s fastest-growing sectors. It’s getting a boost from mobile developers as technology has made the process of traveling and planning vacations much easier. With a mobile app, you can book flights, accommodation, and transportation with just a few clicks.
Along with the leisure and hospitality industry’s growth, there are also plenty of jobs available. In October 2021, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics recorded 1.69 million job openings.
If you have mobile developer skills, you can enter this industry by applying as a software developer who will design and build programs for bookings, data management, and scheduling. You may find work building travel apps as a database administrator or a computer network architect. In this industry, you’ll be sure to get generous travel and health benefits.
Top Attractive Employers for Mobile Developers in the Leisure and Hospitality Industry
| Company | Global Headcount | Hiring In | Hiring For |
| Delta Air Lines | 91,000 | Atlanta, Georgia | Delta mobile IT manager |
| Airbnb | 5,597 | San Francisco, California | Senior iOS software engineer |
| Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc. | 173,000 | Dallas, Texas, McLean, Virginia, Memphis, Tennessee | Analyst, email, and mobile marketing developer |
| Las Vegas Sands | 46,000 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Senior UX motion designer |
| Royal Caribbean Cruises | 77,000 | Miami, Florida | User experience design manager |
Retail Industry
- In-demand jobs: Software development engineer, lead mobile engineer, iOS app developer
Many companies have benefited from a retail mobile app, so the demand for mobile developers in this industry is no surprise. Retail and ecommerce apps are continuously improving. Mobile developers have added push notifications that provide shopping recommendations and promotions, and better security means that customers will experience smooth and safe transactions.
Mobile app developers in this industry have also turned to real-time payment for faster cash-like transactions. Retail companies see that having an app specific to their business helps them reach and communicate with their clients.
Top Attractive Employers for Mobile Developers in the Retail Trade Industry
| Company | Global Headcount | Hiring In | Hiring For |
| Walmart | 2,300,000 | Bentonville, Arkansas, Sunnyvale, California | Software engineer III |
| Amazon.com | 1,468,000 | Austin, Texas, Seattle | Software development engineer |
| Costco | 273,000 | Chicago, Dallas, Seattle | iOS mobile app developer |
| BestBuy | 102,000 | Richfield, Minnesota, Seattle, Washington | Senior SDET |
| Target Corporation | 409,000 | Brooklyn Park, Minnesota | Lead mobile engineer |
Healthcare Industry
- In-demand jobs: Software developer, mobile software engineer, mobile app technical lead
The healthcare industry has greatly benefited from digitizing data. Today, they hire many mobile developers and tech personnel in a bid to provide better services. They have seen how mobile applications can make outdated medical processes and record-keeping faster and more accurate.
Through mobile apps and online databases, healthcare workers can track a patient’s health, including pregnancies and nutrition. Developers who create apps for the medical industry usually have some background knowledge in medicine and healthcare. Understanding the healthcare system allows them to create apps that they know will improve medical services.
Medical care apps are helping to connect patients and doctors and reducing the need for in-person hospital visits. It also cuts down on work that is usually done by nurses, such as manual record-keeping. This gives nurses more time to focus on patient care.
Top Attractive Employers for Mobile Developers in the Medical Care Industry
| Company | Global Headcount | Hiring In | Hiring For |
| Johnson & Johnson | 134,500 | California, Florida, New Jersey, Rhode Island | Senior software developer |
| UnitedHealth Group | 300,000 | Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Texas, Virginia | Mobile software developer |
| Merck & Co. | 74,000 | Georgia, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania | Digital marketing solutions mobile app technical lead |
| Abbott Laboratories | 109,000 | California, Illinois, Texas | Mobile software engineer |
| Amgen | 22,000 | California, Massachusetts, Florida | Servicenow developer |
Food Services Industry
- In-demand jobs: Visual UI designer, Android developer, digital integrations manager
There is a wide range of establishments that are considered part of the food services industry. They include full-service restaurants, mobile food services, caterers, food contractors, and limited-service eateries.
Mobile apps have given customers an easier way to order food. Food apps have led to a boom in door-to-door delivery services, allowing restaurants to grow and reach new consumers.
The food services industry is one of the biggest employers in the US. In December 2021, 11.6 million people were employed in the industry, the majority of whom were in production and nonsupervisory roles. Job openings for IT personnel and mobile developers are rapidly growing in this industry because of the need for user-friendly applications for delivery and booking.
Top Attractive Employers for Mobile Developers in the Food Services Industry
| Company | Global Headcount | Hiring In | Hiring For |
| Chipotle | 64,570 | Newport Beach, California | Senior visual UI designer |
| McDonald’s | 210,000 | Chicago, Illinois, Mountain View, California | iOS software engineer II |
| Starbucks | 349,000 | Chicago, Seattle, Phoenix | Android developer |
| Restaurant Brands International | 6,300 | Miami, Florida | Digital integrations manager |
| Yum! Brands | 34,000 | Illinois, Kentucky | Senior Android engineer |
What Education Do You Need to Be a Mobile Developer?
If you want to be a professional mobile developer, you must have a computer science degree, or a degree in information technology. The courses you’ll take as part of these degrees will give you foundational knowledge in programming, data structuring, networking, and system design. All of these skills will help you excel in your career as a mobile developer.
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Can You Become a Mobile Development Professional with a Coding Bootcamp?
Yes, attending a coding bootcamp can help you land a job as a mobile developer. If you’re not interested in spending four years studying or spending your savings on the hefty tuition fees that come with traditional university degrees, a bootcamp might be your best choice. Try one of the best mobile bootcamps, such as Nucamp or The Tech Academy.
What Skills Do You Need to Be a Mobile Developer?
Analytical Skills
You need both analytical skills and coding skills to analyze coding problems and find the best solution. Mobile development is a highly technical job that involves a lot of problem-solving. Analytical skills will help you tackle complex issues by using the data at hand, detecting patterns, finding the issue, and coming up with a solution.
Communication Skills
Strong communication skills are important for mobile developers because they seldom work alone. When creating an application, you will likely work with a team of testers, quality assurance analysts, designers, and other developers. Mobile developers must also talk directly to their clients, and be able to communicate goals, report progress, and present the finished product. Having good interpersonal skills is even more important if you want to do freelance work.
Creativity
Just like any design job, mobile development requires creativity and innovative thinking. You must be able to create unique and useful applications that will catch the user’s eye. One of the biggest challenges for mobile developers is to know what the target audience wants, then to be able to create that in app form.
What’s the Best Industry for Me as a Mobile Developer?
The best industries for mobile developers include retail, food services, healthcare, hospitality, and tech. The food service industry, for instance, relies heavily on mobile applications to offer delivery. Customers use mobile platforms to order and track food, make payments, and communicate with the delivery driver. This is just one small example of how mobile apps are changing the world.
The tech industry is likely the best industry to work in if you want a high-paying mobile app development job. If you are new to mobile development and are just seeking some experience, you may want to apply to startups so you can start getting some experience. You can also consider applying for internships at major companies.
What Industries Hire the Most Mobile Developer FAQ?
Mobile developers have made shopping more convenient. You can now shop from the comfort of your home using your mobile phone. Users can also receive offers and promotions through advertisements.
Apps created by mobile developers can be downloaded in mobile app stores such as Google Play Store, Apple’s App Store, LG SmartWorld, Huawei App Gallery, Aptoide, and Amazon App Store.
A mobile developer should have knowledge of several programming languages, including Java, Kotlin, Swift, Python, C++, and C#. It’s a good idea to specialize in one or two programming languages, but have a working knowledge of other commonly used languages.
Mobile development is very much in demand, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. The most talented professionals are headhunted and employed by top companies, enjoying an above-average annual salary.
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