Who is an iOS developer and how to become one

Where iOS specialists are needed

According to statistics at the beginning of 2020, Apple ranks among the most popular brands in the Russian smartphone market. Devices with the iOS operating system account for 10% of all smartphones sold in the country. This confirms the stable consumer interest in Apple products and the high quality of its devices, making the brand one of the market leaders.

Many companies develop their own applications for the Apple platform and are actively seeking qualified specialists. iOS programmers are in demand in large organizations, online stores, and government agencies. These professionals play a key role in creating mobile solutions that improve user interaction and contribute to business development. With the growing popularity of mobile technologies, the demand for iOS developers continues to grow, making this profession an attractive prospect for new professionals. Many experienced developers launch their own companies, create apps, and publish them on the App Store. Although Apple retains a 30% cut of sales, developers still receive 70% of the revenue, making this platform an attractive platform for creating and monetizing mobile apps. iOS development today offers many promising areas that continue to attract the attention of developers and companies. One key trend is the creation of apps using artificial intelligence, which improves the user experience and automates processes. Also noteworthy is the growing popularity of augmented and virtual reality, which are finding application in games and educational apps.

Another important area is the development of applications for wearable devices, such as the Apple Watch. These devices are becoming increasingly popular, and the development of specialized applications for them opens up new business opportunities.

Furthermore, there is a growing interest in cross-platform solutions that allow the creation of applications compatible with both iOS and Android. This provides an opportunity to reach a wider audience and reduce development costs.

The issue of application security remains no less pressing, and the development of solutions that ensure the protection of user data is also an important part of iOS development.

Ultimately, iOS development continues to evolve, opening new horizons for developers and businesses striving for innovation and quality.

Children's, adult, family games: shooters, racing games, quests, arcades, logic puzzles. The primary target audience is people under 27, but older users also enjoy gaming.
Brand apps: online stores, loyalty programs, and the like. The most popular services are food delivery, taxi booking, and ticket purchasing.
Apps for accessing content—news, exchange rates, training systems, and educational programs.
Social networks: not just Instagram* or Facebook*, but also smaller networks for finding friends, sharing photos and videos, reviews, and communicating based on common interests.

An important area of software development is creating solutions for businesses and government agencies. Such solutions include mobile workstations, personal accounts, chatbots, banking applications for legal entities, and business analytics and management systems. These apps are developed by leading mobile software companies. Although it is difficult to get a job in these organizations, highly qualified specialists are always in demand in the market. Technological advances and the need for process automation make such solutions relevant for many industries.

Development Market

The high barrier to entry into the iOS developer profession leads to a shortage of specialists on the market. Demand for qualified developers with experience remains high, which creates favorable conditions for career growth in this field. Companies are looking for talented iOS developers who can create high-quality mobile applications and improve user experience.

According to HeadHunter, since 2013 there has been a twofold increase in demand for iOS programmers. On average, there are two candidates per vacancy, indicating lower competition compared to other IT specialties. This trend demonstrates the growing popularity of mobile application development, as well as the need for qualified iOS specialists. With the increasing number of Apple device users, the demand for professionals capable of creating high-quality applications continues to grow.

Companies are actively competing for qualified software developers. Many organizations are willing to hire entry-level programmers for their large projects and train them if they see potential and growth prospects. In today's labor market, it's important not only to attract experienced specialists but also to invest in the development of young talent, which helps build strong teams and improve business competitiveness.

Salary and Career

According to HeadHunter data for September 2020, the average salary of iOS developers in Moscow is 140,000-150,000 rubles. In other regions of Russia, this figure ranges from 70,000 to 100,000 rubles. This indicates a high demand for mobile app development specialists, as well as a significant difference in income levels between the capital and other regions. It's important to note that salaries may depend on the experience, qualifications, and specific projects the developers work on.

A developer's career progression from intern to senior takes 3 to 5 years. This includes accumulating experience, developing skills, and mastering new technologies. Interns start with simple tasks, gradually taking on more complex projects and responsibilities. It's important to actively participate in training, receive feedback from more experienced colleagues, and strive for professional development. A successful path to a senior position requires not only technical knowledge but also teamwork, project management, and communication skills.

A beginner programmer usually starts as an intern for a small salary—around 30,000 rubles. If they perform well, they can become a junior mobile app developer, or junior developer, in a year or a year and a half.
A junior's salary ranges from 40,000 to 80,000 rubles, depending on the region. They work under the guidance of an experienced mentor. To continue career growth, you will need to develop: read specialized literature, take video courses. With due diligence, in a year or a year and a half, a junior developer moves up to the middle level.
A middle developer earns better: 70,000–150,000 rubles, or even more. They independently solve assigned problems and test components. After eighteen months or two, they can move up to the next level – becoming a lead developer, or senior developer.
A senior developer is a sought-after, highly paid specialist with a salary of 180,000–300,000 rubles. They solve complex problems and are responsible for the project. They are often appointed as a mentor for newcomers.

A senior developer has the opportunity to advance in their career and take on positions such as project manager, development team leader, or head of the development department. These roles require not only in-depth technical knowledge, but also team management, planning, and task coordination skills. By developing their leadership skills and strategic thinking, a senior developer can significantly increase their value to the company and improve their career prospects.

What you need to know and be able to do to become a sought-after specialist

You need to have practical skills in Swift, Objective-C, know XCode, Cocoa, iOS SDK.
Knowledge of other programming languages will be a big plus: C++, CSS, Java, JavaScript, HTML, SQL.
To collaborate with other developers, you will need Git, so it is better to learn it in advance.
You need to be able to work with other people's code.
As everywhere in programming, you will need knowledge of English.
You need to know the rules of working with the App Store, be able to upload applications, updates, etc.

One of the key advantages for any specialist is having a high-quality portfolio. Projects posted to the App Store are especially valuable, as they demonstrate professionalism and experience with mobile apps. Having such projects in your portfolio significantly increases your chances of successful employment and attracting clients.

Where to learn this

Learning iOS development can be done independently through books and guides, but this approach is often ineffective and time-consuming. Skillbox courses will help you master the iOS developer profession from scratch, gaining the in-depth knowledge necessary for a successful career. During your training, you will create several interesting projects that will help you build your portfolio. We also provide employment assistance for graduates, which significantly increases the chances of a successful start to a career in iOS app development.

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