App developers design and build mobile applications for PCs, mobile phones and tablets.


Typical Salary

£31,000 – £60,000

per year

Working Hours

37–40

hours per week

Career Area

Programmers and software development professionals

View related courses

Day-to-day tasks

You may:

  • develop new apps or create 'mobile-friendly' versions of websites
  •  work with other developers, designers and copywriters
  •  design prototypes to suit client needs
  •  write or amend computer code
  •  test software, find faults and fix problems
  •  write accurate notes about the development process
  •  keep up to date with new technology trends and tools

Skills needed

  • maths knowledge
  • the ability to write computer programs
  • analytical thinking skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
  • knowledge of systems analysis and development
  • complex problem-solving skills
  • persistence and determination
  • to have a thorough understanding of computer systems and applications

How to get into this role

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • a graduate training scheme

Career progression

There are opportunities to work in most sectors and industries, such as business, finance, cyber security, telecommunications and healthcare:

You could:

  • move into system analysis
  •  get promoted to a senior app developer or project manager
  •  become self-employed to do contract work