In the United States, the median annual salary for an iOS developer is $126,897, equating to an hourly rate of $61.01. Entry-level roles typically commence at $107,031 per year, while the most seasoned professionals in the field can earn up to $160,647 annually.
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If you’re looking to hire iOS developers, getting a grasp on the current and detailed information on the costs associated with this role can significantly impact your project planning and budgeting. In this guide, we aim to provide you with the most up-to-date insights to help you make informed decisions when hiring iOS developers.
What’s the Average Hourly Rate for an iOS Developer?
The iOS developer landscape in the United States is marked by a broad spectrum of earning potential. On average, the hourly rate for an iOS developer sits at approximately $51. Several major job portals suggest that an iOS developer’s hourly rate may begin as low as $34 per hour and escalate to as high as $87 per hour.Â
According to ZipRecruiter in the United States, the typical hourly rate for an iOS developer stands at approximately $61. This rate, however, can vary widely from $40 at the lower end to $73 at the higher end. Factors like regional cost of living and the developer’s experience play pivotal roles in determining these wages. Notably, senior developers residing in areas with a high cost of living tend to command the highest rates within this range.
This expansive range emphasizes the varying levels of expertise, experience, and specialization within the field. It further underscores the necessity to consider multiple sources to gain a more accurate understanding of compensation trends, as rates can diverge based on specific market factors, regional cost of living, company size, and project complexity.
Beyond Borders and Beyond Levels: How Location and Experience Impact iOS Developer Hourly Rates
North America and South America
The North American region, specifically the USA and Canada, tends to have the highest earnings among iOS developers, regardless of their experience level. It is evident that the USA leads the charge, followed closely by Canada. These two countries offer higher rates compared to the countries in the South American region.
However, in South America, we see a noticeable drop in earnings across all levels of experience. Despite this, Brazil leads in the South American region with slightly higher earnings than Argentina, across all iOS development roles.
| Region | Country | Junior iOS Developer | Mid-level iOS Developer | Senior iOS Developer | Team Lead iOS Developer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North America | USA | $44.23 | $57.69 | $65.38 | $72.11 |
| Canada | $37.50 | $46.63 | $55.28 | $62.50 | |
| Mexico | $8.97 | $12.57 | $16.42 | $20.95 | |
| South America | Brazil | $9.93 | $14.01 | $18.10 | $22.15 |
| Argentina | $7.76 | $10.93 | $15.57 | $18.42 |
Statistics from talent.com suggest that even in the United States, the salary obtained by iOS developers varies according to the state. The highest salary is obtained by developers in Massachusetts followed by developers in California, Washington, New York, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Arizona, Connecticut, and Virginia coming in tenth place.
Further, talent.com details that in the United States, the average hourly rate for an iOS developer is $61.01 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $51.46 per hour, while the most experienced workers can earn up to $77.23 per hour.
Western Europe and Eastern Europe
In Western Europe, the United Kingdom stands out as the region’s leader across all roles in iOS development. Germany trails closely behind the UK, displaying a slightly lower earning pattern. France, although a major player in the region, presents a less competitive earning landscape compared to the UK and Germany.
In Eastern Europe, the earnings landscape shifts noticeably. Ukraine leads in this region, with the highest earnings across all iOS developer job roles. Poland and Hungary follow, with Poland maintaining a slight edge over Hungary.
| Region | Country | Junior iOS Developer | Mid-level iOS Developer | Senior iOS Developer | Team Lead iOS Developer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Europe | United Kingdom | $26.44 | $35.57 | $43.75 | $50.96 |
| Germany | $24.75 | $34.61 | $43.70 | $52.16 | |
| France | $20.43 | $28.84 | $37.25 | $44.47 | |
| Eastern Europe | Ukraine | $12.57 | $22.11 | $27.40 | $32.25 |
| Poland | $11.09 | $21.63 | $26.68 | $30.76 | |
| Hungary | $9.61 | $20.91 | $25.48 | $29.32 |
South Asia and East Asia
In South Asia, with India as the representative country, the earning potential for iOS developers across all roles is comparatively lower than that in Eastern Asia.
Moving to Eastern Asia, we notice a significant increase in earning potential across all roles. Singapore leads the pack, closely followed by Japan. China, while still offering higher rates compared to India, lags behind Singapore and Japan in the same region.
| Region | Country | Junior iOS Developer | Mid-level iOS Developer | Senior iOS Developer | Team Lead iOS Developer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Asia | India | $8.49 | $10.61 | $12.25 | $14.90 |
| East Asia | China | $17.54 | $24.51 | $30.52 | $37.01 |
| Japan | $25.01 | $35.09 | $43.26 | $51.92 | |
| Singapore | $27.64 | $37.50 | $47.35 | $56.97 |
Middle East and Oceania
In the Middle East, represented by Israel, the earning potential for iOS developers across all roles falls mid-range when compared to other global regions. It’s higher than what’s found in South Asia and Eastern Europe, but lower compared to Western Europe and North America.
Oceania, represented by Australia, showcases one of the highest earning potentials for iOS developers globally. The rates surpass those in all other regions, including North America and Western Europe, which were among the higher-earning regions.
| Region | Country | Junior iOS Developer | Mid-level iOS Developer | Senior iOS Developer | Team Lead iOS Developer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middle East | Israel | $24.51 | $33.89 | $42.78 | $51.44 |
| Oceania | Australia | $50.96 | $62.50 | $69.23 | $76.20 |
Comparing iOS Developer Hourly Earnings with Other Platforms
Hourly Rates based on Location
For iOS developers, the earning potential is highest in North America, with the range going from the mid-tier to the upper end. South America and Eastern Europe have relatively lower earnings, whereas Western Europe and Australia sit comfortably in the middle. South Asia presents the lowest earnings for this role.
Android developers follow a similar trend, with North America leading in earnings potential. However, the rates in South America and Eastern Europe are slightly lower compared to iOS developer rates in these regions. Western Europe, Australia, and South Asia present a similar pattern to their iOS counterparts.
When looking at Cross-Platform developers, it’s noticeable that their earnings potential is lower than that of their iOS and Android peers across all regions. However, the relative regional trend remains similar, with North America providing the highest earnings, followed by Western Europe and Australia, then South America and Eastern Europe, and finally South Asia.
| Region | iOS Developers | Android Developers | Cross-Platform Developers |
|---|---|---|---|
| North America | $50 - $140 | $50 - $150 | $40 - $100 |
| South America | $30 - $50 | $20 - $40 | $10 - $35 |
| Western Europe | $40 - $100 | $30 - $90 | $25 - $75 |
| Eastern Europe | $25 - $60 | $20 - $50 | $20 - $45 |
| Australia | $40 - $110 | $40 - $100 | $30 - $90 |
Hourly Rates based on Experience
For entry-level positions, iOS developers have the highest earning potential, followed closely by Android developers, with Cross-Platform developers trailing.
This trend continues into mid-level roles, where iOS and Android developers see an identical lower bound, but iOS developers achieve a slightly higher maximum earning potential. Cross-platform developers see a significant increase from the entry level, but their earning potential remains below their iOS and Android counterparts.
At the senior level, the gap in earning potential between iOS, Android, and Cross-Platform developers widens further, with iOS developers leading, Android developers following closely, and Cross-Platform developers remaining at the tail end.
| Experience Level | iOS Developers | Android Developers | Cross-Platform Developers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level | $40 - $60 | $35 - $50 | $25 - $45 |
| Mid-level | $50 - $100 | $50 - $95 | $45 - $70 |
| Senior-Level | $90 - $160 | $85 - $150 | $65 - $100 |
iOS Developer Hourly Rates vs. Other Programming Languages
At the top of the hourly rate scale, we find Go, signifying high demand and value in the market for this technology. Following Go are Objective-C and Swift, both of which are primarily used in iOS development, indicating strong value for these skills.
After these, Python, Kotlin, and C# present similar earning potentials, signifying a solid market for these languages. JavaScript and Java come in closely together, with HTML/CSS slightly below, reflecting their steady demand.
Finally, PHP is at the lower end of the spectrum, which might suggest a reduced demand for this language compared to the others.
Overall, these rates illustrate the dynamic nature of the tech industry and how different technologies and skills can command varying earning potentials based on demand, complexity, and other market factors.
| Programming Language | Average Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
| Objective-C | $39.98 |
| Swift | $37.72 |
| Kotlin | $33.32 |
| Java | $31.04 |
| Go | $42.88 |
| Python | $34.18 |
| HTML/CSS | $30.76 |
| JavaScript | $31.52 |
| C# | $33.42 |
| PHP | $24.27 |
Ways to Save on iOS Development Costs
- Outsourcing – Hiring developers from regions with lower rates can significantly reduce costs. Countries like India, Ukraine, and the Philippines offer cost-effective solutions without compromising on quality.
- Hiring Junior Developers -For less complex projects, hiring junior developers can be a smart move.
- Using Existing Resources – Using open-source libraries and third-party services can save time and therefore, costs.
- Clear Planning – Well-defined project requirements and timelines reduce misunderstandings and revisions, saving time and money.
Conclusion
Understanding the landscape of iOS developer rates is a necessary factor when planning to hire an iOS developer. This knowledge is not only essential for budgeting and project planning, but also important when trying to strike a balance between cost, quality, and time. Remember, opting for the cheapest developer might not always equate to the best value for your project. A dedicated iOS developer with a slightly higher rate may bring significantly more value in terms of expertise and quality output.
In this guide, we offer an overview of the average iOS developer rates in 2023. However, it’s crucial to keep in mind that rates can fluctuate due to various factors such as location, level of experience, and specific skill sets. When planning to hire a dedicated iOS developer, always obtain multiple quotes and engage in in-depth discussions with potential candidates. Understanding their skills, experience, and potential contributions to your project will help you make a well-informed decision.
You can check out our iOS Developer Annual Salary Guide to learn about the annual salary rates you can earn in the US and across the world. We bring you a complete iOS Developer Hiring Guide along with the iOS Developer Job Description and iOS Interview Questions guide which will help you in the process of hiring a iOS developer in 2023.
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