How to Become a Java Developer: Recapping 2022 Essentials

by Hiration

Java is one of the most popular programming languages among developers.

It has got versatility, speed, platform independence, and a highly secured environment. It also has some advantages, like clearing cache and memory automatically.

Java is widely used in application and web development fields, and companies are always searching for talents proficient in java development to strengthen their teams.

If you’re experienced in Java, career in Java development is the way to go. Now the question is, how to become a Java developer?

A broad outline has been drawn in this blog for you to understand the profile of a java developer and land entry level java developer jobs.

In the sections that follow, we will discuss:

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What Does a Java Developer Do?

Java developers specialize in designing, building, and managing Java-based applications and tools. Java development includes android apps, software tools, web applications, and scientific applications.

A java developer must maintain a history of process improvement and citations of the solutions. They must also have an outstanding grasp on programming languages, examining applications, and several other technological grounds.

Skills Required to Become a Junior Java Developer

We can catagorize the skills required for a Java Developer in 2 parts:

  • Technical Skills or Hard Skills
  • Basic Soft Skills

Technical Skills Required For an Entry Level Java Developer

Stated below is a list of the most important technical skills for a junior java developer.

  • Core Java: It is the raw form and the foundation of Java used for designing software applications for desktop as well as server environments. This helps understand the core functionalities of Java and also covers most of the concepts like wrapper class, array list, linked list, and so on.

  • Java build Tools: Java build tools automate the application development process from source code. It incorporates compiling, and packaging the code into a usable format.

  • Web Services: If you have an in-depth knowledge of web technologies and know how to build connection between different systems via HTML, MathML, SGML, then you are golden for java development.

  • Microservices: The microservice architecture arranges an application as a collection of loosely tethered services. These services are fine-grained with lightweight protocols. This architecture allows each service to scale or update without disrupting other services in the application.

  • Angular: Angular is a platform for building mobile and desktop web applications. It can build single-page client applications using HTML and TypeScript. It implements core and optional functionality as a set of TypeScript libraries that you import into your applications.

  • REST API: REST (Representational State Transfer) is a set of rules or guidelines to build a web API. While API is a set of functions and procedures that allow one application to access the feature of other application, REST is an architectural style for networked applications on the web.

  • Big Data: Big Data beats the traditional data processing software and has become a trillion-dollar industry now. Big data technologies help developers to analyze and glean insights from complex data sets. Hadoop and Spark are some popular Big Data tools.

  • GitHub: With GitHub's version control, developers can easily track the changes in codes and push code in final build. It makes the software updation process more easier.

Importance of Hibernate and Spring for Java Developers

These two frameworks are not necessary to land Java developer jobs, but will prove to be beneficial for you as these skills are in high demand.

These frameworks are easy to learn and understandable. Nowadays, most of the web applications are in Java and incorporated with Spring and Hibernate. If you are familiar with these frameworks, you can enhance your coding skills and also find jobs with critical skill requirements.

Soft Skills Required to Land Entry Level Java Developer Jobs

Soft skills are people skills that enable an individual to navigate their environment to optimally perform and work well with others.

Here are some soft skills for java developers:

  • Communication skills
  • Learning skills
  • Teamwork
  • Work ethics
  • Interpersonal skills

These skills play a pivotal role in any high-functioning environment to enforce a healthy and holistic workspace.

Also read: Entry Level Java Developer

What Qualifications Do I Need to Become a Java Developer

As Java is much-in-demand, competing for junior java developer jobs can be fierce. Traditionally, employers have looked for candidates armed with a bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, or a related subject.

Zippia determined that 75.3% of Java developers have a bachelor's degree and 22.2% of them pursue master's degrees. Even though most Java developers have a college degree, it's difficult to become one with only a high school degree or GED.

Choosing the right major is always an important step when researching how to become a java developer. The most common colleges for students to pursue their goal of becoming a Java developer are New York University and Texas Tech University. A few more colleges providing exemplary courses for aspiring Java developers are:

Free Online Java Development Courses

Listing down 3 popular educational websites providing free Java developer courses that will help you land entry level Java developer jobs:

Source: Edureka

Also read:Java Developer Interview Questions

Average Java Developer Salary

The average entry level java developer salary in the United States quoted by Indeed is $71,791. Also, the per hour salary is $34.60.

Mid-level Java developers can expect to see a pay bump compared to junior Java developers. A typical salary range for mid-level Java developers is between $60k-$120k.

A Java developer’s salary, like any other profession, depends on various factors like the company you work for, the city you are based in, whether you are working full-time, part-time, or remote, and based on your experience level.

With years of experience and skill, you can land the role of a senior Java developer whose average income is $103k per annum as per Payscale. Also, the average senior Java developer salary can go up to $150k per annum, therefore it is quite plausible to earn a six-figure salary in this field.

Is Java Developer a Good Career Path?

Java development career prospect is growing. If you have valuable skills and are qualfied, it's a matter of time for you to get senior technical roles such as technical architect.

Glassdoor’s Best Jobs in America 2021 Survey ranks Java developers first in the US, with a job satisfaction rating of 4.2 out of 5.

Also read: Java Developer Jobs

Key Takeaways

  • Java developers specialize in designing, building, and managing Java-based applications and tools.
  • The top colleges for aspiring Java developers are New York University and Texas Tech University.
  • Free online Java developer courses are provided by - Codecademy, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning.
  • The average entry level java developer salary in the United States is $71,791.
  • Glassdoor ranks Java developers first in the US, with a job satisfaction rating of 4.2 out of 5.

Encasing this blog with all the necessary details you need in order to step into the career of a Java developer. We wish you all the luck!

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