Software Development Jobs – Types, Skills, and Salary Range Explained

Most of the modern-day programs that make our lives easier are a result of intelligent software developers. They are the creative geniuses that bring computer and smart device programs to life, making our smartphones and laptop more useful. These developers make gaming, organization, online meetings, and dozens of other things possible in our day-to-day life. Making everyone’s life easier alone makes the job of a software developer essential in many ways.
What is the role of a software developer?
Software developers shoulder most of the responsibility of developing and publishing a program. They have to find out the need for the program and the primary goals users would like to achieve with its help. Once the security, functionality, and goals of the program have been achieved, the program is then designed and coded by the development and coding teams, respectively.
After the program has been designed, it is tested for feedback and glitches. If the feedback received is poor, the developers might have to go back to the initial stage and fix the design issues or improve upon the existing design. Once it has been finalized, the program is delivered to clients. However, the software developers would remain a part of the program team to deliver maintenance services and for necessary upgradation processes.
In some cases, the software developer also plays the role of a coder; in other scenarios, the two teams work closely to develop programs.
Types of software developers
Essentially, software developers are divided into two types – application software developers and system software developers.
Application software developers cater to mass needs and businesses that require programs to be used on a larger scale. They generally work on programs that help develop software programs for games, spreadsheets, databases, and word processors, all of which are mass marketed. They also help create software for customer usage or complex databases that help businesses run smoothly. Application software developers might also help companies develop internal systems for intranet usage for the employees.
System software developers, on the other hand, work on programs that help in the proper functioning of day-to-day smart devices. These could be systems that have been built specifically for organizations or commercial programs that the public can purchase off the market. The description includes commercial operating software or systems for computers and smartphones. System software developers can be expected to build everything right from the program interface to the operating system that would be in control of the electronics used in daily life.
Soft skills required to become a software developer
The skills employers look for in software developers are tightly knit with the quality of work they can deliver. These qualities can impact the person’s efficiency in the development process and ensure that nothing is lost in translation.
- Analytical
Analytical and problem-solving capabilities doubly enable a software developer to determine the user’s needs and tackle any problems that arise during and after the development process. - Detail-oriented
Working on a program and system operations requires considering multiple factors and multitasking. Therefore, software developers must not let any detail slip through the cracks. - Interpersonal skills
Being able to get along with a team is one of the most important and basic skills required to be a successful software developer in the industry. The ability to coordinate with the team and client can be functional in an individual’s success. - Communication skills
Communication is key to properly understanding and relaying instructions to the team. It helps better understand every team member’s duty and professional expectations of them. Further, it is essential to convey to the client if there is any confusion.
Aside from these soft skills, what makes a candidate truly capable as a software developer are the technical skills they possess. Some of the things people looking to make it big in the software development jobs market include:
- Cloud computing skills
Although not a traditional software development skill, cloud computing is increasingly important with companies moving to cloud storage. Learning platforms like Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform are a great starting place. - Data structure and algorithm
Almost no software development job interview and skillset are complete without data structure and algorithm. It is impossible to be prepared for an interview without knowing the industry basics like a linked list, array, and map. - Database and Structured Query Language (SQL)
SQL is an absolute must-know when it comes to software development. It is equally important for developers to know basic database concepts like table design and normalization. Candidates that know how to insert, update and delete data are considered more eligible for software development jobs. - Object-oriented programing
As a software developer, it is essential to know the basic programming languages. Candidates can pick the ones they want to master from the array of languages available. However, it is recommended that one is well-versed in Java.
Other skills preferred in a software developer are debugging knowledge, source control information, procedure testing, ability to operate text editors, software framework, and cryptography.
What is the salary range of a software developer?
Software development jobs are among the most sought-after opportunities in today’s career options. Although not as high up in the ranks as a software engineer, it is still a demanding opportunity for those willing. Software development is also among the highest-paying skills in the industry today. America is the top country with respect to the median salary for software developers. However, the annual salary range depends on the state the developer is working in. for example, in the United States, developers working in California have the highest median salary compared to those working in other states.
Recent data shows that the lowest annual salary for a software developer was $90,870. The average salary for people with software development skills is estimated at $120,730. Of course, the salary received is also dependent on factors like the company size, cost of living in the state, taxes, and hands-on experience of the candidate. Also, one can look out for work across borders for better opportunities.