Do you live for scrolling through your iPhone apps, or do you prefer zipping to your favorite Android icons? Regardless of your preference for your personal usage, applying your mobile app development skill set is another thing entirely.
If you have recently finished your studies, or you are on the hunt for a new career path, you may find yourself musing over the modern age-old quandary: Android vs. iOS? A quick glance at the market will tell you that, as long as you have the requisite skills for either operating system, there is no flat out wrong path to choose.
In 2018, both iOS and Android celebrate their 10-year anniversaries, and the world, whether realizing it or not, collectively celebrates with them. (1) It seems that, with few exceptions, just about everyone’s life has changed with the advent of the mobile phone and all the accompanying and highly convenient mobile apps. By the end of 2018, it is projected that more than 40 countries will generate more than $100 million in consumer spending in iOS and Google Play app stores.
With that in mind, you are looking at great job security in either operating environment.
Both Operating Systems Offer Unique Opportunities and Challenges
Whether you are a fan of one operating system over another, you will find that each one offers you the chance to stretch or find your comfort zone, depending on your current skill set and what you hope to achieve.
Which Skills Attract Better Pay in Mobile App Development: iOS or Android?
Companies who need to develop highly functional, effective and fast mobile apps understand that they need professionals talented in both operating systems. On that note, it is important to provide competitive salaries for both.
Overall, the mobile app market pays skilled developers a healthy salary, with an average annual pay of $71,801. Depending on experience, the range begins at $41,000 and maxes out at around $109,000. However, you probably want to know more specifics on each operating system.
iOS app developers’ salaries start at around $54,603 and top out around $122,248, for an average annual salary of $81,277, per PayScale. (1)
PayScale quotes Android’s average annual salary landing at $78,263, featuring a range from $50,259 to a maximum of 118,987. (2)
What Are the Common Skills You Will Need to Work in Your Preferred Operating System Environment?
Whether you already have ample skills for one or both operating system, it will help you to understand better what each one requires of talented mobile app developers. Take a few moments to review the most commonly required skills for each:
Common Skills Needed in iOS Mobile App Development
- Basic syntax
- Error handling
- Control Flow Swift
- MVC
- Core Data
- Objective-C
- Understanding of SOLID
- Debugging in Xcode
- Cocoa Touch
- Git, Subversion and other version controls
Common Skills Needed in Android Mobile App
- Expertise in cross-platform solutions
- Android SDK
- Java
- Android Studio/Eclipse
- APIs Understanding of Design details
- Strong spatial reasoning
Which Operating System Choice Will Boost Your Career Faster?
With the right skills and desire, either operating system promises a stable future for mobile app developers with plenty of room to advance. You will have the opportunity to work with fellow app developers, software engineers, project managers and analysts who can all help you improve your skills while building something great together. Mobile apps are here to stay, so your help is needed.
Sources:
(1) PayScale
(2) PayScale