Requests for Mobile App Developers Growing, Says Dice

Requests for mobile app developers are among the fastest growing of all hiring requests, according to a new report from technology job site Dice.

With more consumers scooping up more mobile apps, this area of technology is expected to generate more than $15 billion in sales this year.

But in spite of the industry’s need for mobile app developers, only around 17 percent of IT professionals have actually published a mobile app, says Dice’s managing director Alice Hill. And among those select few, only 27 percent develop such apps on a full-time basis.

So, for IT pros who wish to move into the growing field of mobile app development, which platforms are the most in demand by employers?

Full-time developers tend to prefer Apple’s iPhone, while Android (News - Alert) is more popular among those who design mobile apps more as a hobby or sideline. But employers are increasingly on the lookout for more Android developers. For every one job request hunting for someone with iPhone (News - Alert) experience, Dice is seeing 1.4 requests for developers skilled with Android.

And how much can a mobile app developer earn?

Around 35 percent of IT pros who have developed an app have made only $1 or more, according to Dice. But people who develop for the iPhone have earned nine times more income than those developing for Android. One reason for this disparity is that full-time developers tend to focus more on the iPhone. But, as Dice notes, Android developers stand to earn more as Android app revenue begins to grow.

Not surprisingly, the iPhone and Android are at the top of the list in terms of developer and employer interest. Looking at other platforms, Dice found that Microsoft’s Windows Phone is favored by 12 percent of full-time developers, while the iPad is tops among 9 percent. That left RIM’s BlackBerry (News - Alert) and Nokia’s Symbian at the bottom of the list, each with just 1 percent of developer interest.

The Dice findings are of value because they point to an area where IT pros can take the initiative, with or without the help of their employers. Those of you interested in mobile app development can certainly approach your employer to see if such a mobile app would be of value to the company. If not, you can always try creating your own mobile app for the iPhone or Android devices. That can provide you with a nice notch on your resume if this is an area you’d like to explore further as a career option.

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