Associate/Junior Developer

What is an Associate/Junior Developer?

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).

Associate/Junior Developer Salary Range

$ 0
25th Percentile
$ 0
50th Percentile
$ 0
75th Percentile

*Current as of December 2022.  

Foundational Skills

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

Occupational Skills

Software Development Best Practices

Understands software assurance best practices and their use in software development.

Novice Level

Uses version control.

Emerging Level

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)

Proficient Level

Troubleshoots and effectively resolves basic to moderate infrastructure issues with confirmation from the customer that the issue has been resolved.

Core Coding Languages

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.

Novice Level

Codes simple software tasks or routines in support of software development work.

May create simple web pages.

Able to create and execute unit tests.

Emerging Level

Develops prototypes that can be used by a supervisor/senior software developer.

Contributes to research and development processes.

Creates applications leveraging object-oriented techniques that can be reliably used by a customer in production. Integrates data storage (including SQL), libraries, methods, interfaces, and objects.

Web Development

Understands commonly used web development languages such as AJAX, XML, HTML 5,and JavaScript.

Novice Level

Describes and uses the web development language of HTML. 

Builds an application using HTML, JavaScript, and JSON/XML.

Emerging Level

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.).

General Database

Uses SQL basics (e.g., selecting, inserting, updating, deleting records), at least one database management software application, and database fundamentals such as normalization, schemas, and relationships.

Novice Level

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).

Emerging Level

Designs document, relational, or other schema(tables, stored procedures, etc.) components.

Performs SQL CRUD operations with at least one database management software application.

Software Development Tools

Utilizes an IDE (Integrated Development Environment) (e.g., Visual Studio) and a source control system such as TFS or GitLab.

Novice Level

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.

Emerging Level

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.

Design & Implementation

Assists customers in the gathering of requirements, and designs, implements, and supports simple technology solutions to existing business problems.

Novice Level

Describes a software development life cycle (SDLC).

Emerging Level

Assists customers to elicit and document customer requirements.

Experience + Training

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).     

Below is a list of TechPoint programs and our partner programs in Indiana that offer experiences to develop digital skills for an Associate/Junior Developer. These include certificate and degree attainment, internship programs, and mentorship to help you prepare for a career in tech.   

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.