Under the direction of a developer, Associate/Junior Developers are heavily involved in programming by implementing simple code or modifying established applications. They may be responsible for responding to client support requests by investigating, analyzing, debugging, and rectifying simple issues. They gather user needs to develop and maintain software solutions and work within a team to design and complete projects.
Associate/Junior Developers can expect to make an average salary of $72,900 annually (or $74,400 in total compensation package). The highest earners for this role can expect to see around $79,800 annually (or $82,500 in total compensation).
Verbal and Written Communication, Emotional Intelligence, Problem Solving/Decision Making, Leadership, Initiative, Detail Orientation, Time Management, Listening, Read and Understand Logic, Collaborative and Teamwork, Risk Taking, Mentorship
Describes multiple vulnerabilities and how to prevent them when designing applications (e.g., encryption, SQL injection, CAPTCHA)
Describes object- oriented principles such as encapsulation or polymorphism
Describes the value of a design pattern
Manages version control (e.g., branching, merging)
Participates in code reviews and implements techniques to prevent vulnerabilities (e.g., encryption, CAPTCHA)
Develops simple frontend, backend and/or mobile applications utilizing core coding languages (e.g., Java, C#, Objective C, JavaScript, Swift) on a development platform; integrates data storage (including SQL), libraries, methods, interfaces, and objects and uses code analysis and debugging techniques; web developers need to be able to integrate HTML, CSS, web services (including REST), and a web framework (such as Angular or Spring MVC) into applications.
Codes simple software tasks or routines in support of software development work
May create simple web pages
Able to create and execute unit tests
Develops prototypes that can be used by a supervisor or senior software developer
Contributes to research and development processes
Integrates data storage (including SQL), libraries, interfaces, and objects
Describes and uses the web development language of HTML
Builds an application using HTML, JavaScript, and JSON/XML
Builds an application using HTML, JavaScript, and JSON/XML
Uses at least one Common framework (e.g., Twitter Bootstrap, Angular, React.js, or Spring MVC, Vue.js.)
Describes CRUD operations and at least one type of database (e.g. document, relational)
Uses database concept (e.g., tables, columns, rows, schema, relationships, indexes)
Designs document, relational, or other schema (tables, stored procedures, etc.) components
Performs SQL CRUD operations with at least one database management software application
Utilizes an IDE to write code, perform version control, and debug simple software issues
Able to use a source control system such as TFS or GitLab
Debugs more complex software issues. Incorporates libraries and frameworks into base code solutions
Utilizes available features inside IDE such as unit testing automation and environment management
Describes a software development life cycle (SDLC)
Assists customers to elicit and document customer requirements
The pathway below represents an example career pathway in the ever-changing Digital Innovation Economy.
To be an Associate/Junior Developer, you need boot camp or coding academy for most employers, with some employers requiring an associates or Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Science or related field. Other preferred and/or required certifications for an Associate/Junior Developer include: CIO Certifications, Certified Associate in PM, Project Management, (CAPM) – Entry Professional (PMP), Information Technology Infrastructure Library (entry level).
Want to try on being an Associate/Junior Developer? Explore our free virtual work simulation through Forage and gain hands on experience for this role directly from industry: Web Development Work Simulation and Software Engineering Work Simulation.
Check out our Career Resources Directory to find programs in Indiana that offer opportunities to develop your skills. These include certificate and degree attainment, internship programs, and mentorship to help you prepare for a career in tech.
