What is a java developer and how to become one

Q: How long does it take to become a Java developer?

It takes between one and four years to become a Java developer. The time it takes to become a Java developer depends primarily on the path they choose and their aptitude. On average, becoming a confident Java developer takes about one to two years of at least three hours of practicing code a day. However, this can vary depending on personal aptitude and the effectiveness of the practice.

Q: Is it hard to become a Java developer?

Yes, it is hard to become a Java developer. While Java is the most popular programming language due to its versatility to design customized applications that are light and fast and serve various purposes, it is still a challenging coding language to learn. There is a lot of competition for Java developer roles.

Q: What are the skills required for a Java developer?

The top hard skills required for a Java developer include software design and architecture, design principles, and architectural patterns. Other fundamental topics for every Java developer are algorithms, data structures, networking, protocols, and programming.

Q: What companies hire Java developers?

Companies in technology, finance, and health hire Java developers. Almost every large tech company hires people with a background in Java development. This includes companies like Google, Facebook, Amazon, Netflix, and Apple. Healthcare companies, like McCresson and Epic, also use Java developers to create platforms for patients and workers.

Q: What do I need to study to become a Java developer?

To become a Java developer, you need to study Core Java, Java EE, and Java Frameworks. To make it easier to become a Java developer, it is useful to take a focused approach. This starts by mastering Core Java, which will allow a person to understand basic concepts like loops, arrays, and operators. A person needs to keep practicing Core Java regularly so they can write the syntax without any basic errors.

Q: What is the use of a Java developer?

A Java developer is responsible for developing applications and software using the programming language Java. A Java developer is a specialized programmer who may collaborate with web developers and software engineers to integrate Java into business applications, software, and websites.

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Quoted Experts

Frank McCown Ph.D.,

Kevin Treu Ph.D.

A Java developer creates applications using the Java programming language. They develop, test, and maintain software programs that run on various devices and platforms. Java developers are responsible for writing clean, efficient, and reusable code, and collaborating with other team members to design and implement software solutions. They must also stay up-to-date with the latest technologies and trends in the field to ensure that their applications are secure and efficient.

What general advice would you give to a Java Developer?

Frank McCown Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Harding University

The market is stable for software developers, despite the economic challenges created by the pandemic. Before accepting a job offer, talk to the company's employees through online meetings or email, and see what they think of the company. Do they enjoy their work? Are there opportunities to learn new technologies? How does the company treat their employees? There's a good chance you will be working remotely in your first job, so you will need to exercise a lot of self-discipline, be punctual for online meetings, do the work you've been assigned, and know when to ask questions when you get stuck. Expect a steeper-than-normal learning curve if you are working remotely instead of in an office.

ScoreJava DeveloperUS Average

Salary

6.9

Avg. Salary $88,475

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

5.2

Growth Rate 13%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

1.9

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.42%

Asian 15.73%

Black or African American 6.39%

Hispanic or Latino 11.91%

Unknown 6.49%

White 59.06%

Gender

female 27.37%

male 72.63%

Age - 36

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 36

Stress Level

5.2

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

6.3

Complexity Level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

5.8

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a Java Developer?

Pros

High demand for Java developers in the job market
Competitive salary and benefits
Opportunities for remote work and flexible schedules
Chance to work on diverse projects in various industries
Possibility for career advancement and leadership roles

Cons

High level of competition for jobs in some areas
Pressure to meet deadlines and produce high-quality code
Continuous need for staying up-to-date with new technologies and programming languages
Can be a solitary job, requiring extended periods sitting at a computer screen
Possibility of outsourcing or offshoring leading to job insecurity

Key steps to become a java developer

Explore java developer education requirements

Most common java developer degrees

Bachelor's

75.3 %

Master's

22.2 %

Associate

1.0 %

Start to develop specific java developer skills

Skills	Percentages
Java	17.25%
Spring Boot	5.17%
Database	3.70%
Web Application	3.07%
HTML	2.88%

Complete relevant java developer training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New java developers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a java developer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real java developer resumes.

Gain additional java developer certifications

Java developer certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific java developer certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for java developers include Sun Certified Java Programmer (SCJP) and Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 8 Programmer I (OCP).

More About Certifications

Research java developer duties and responsibilities

Involve in creating an ant task to automate the above process.
Manage connectivity using JDBC for querying/inserting & data management including triggers and store procedures.
Manage maven environment by setting up local, remote and central repositories with require configuration in maven configuration files.
Develop UI using JavaScript, JSP, HTML and CSS for interactive cross browser functionality and complex user interface.

Prepare your java developer resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your java developer resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a java developer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Java Developer Resume templates

Build a professional Java Developer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Java Developer resume.

Apply for java developer jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a java developer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do java developers rate their job?

-/5

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Java Developer reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2023

Pros

Problem solving and cutting edge technology - always learning and evolving my skill set

Cons

Still have to deal with people :)

A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020

Pros

I enjoyed working on creative problems that dealt with the user interface

Cons

I didn't like how technical it could become

A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2019

Pros

Designing a new system or making changes to an old one.

Cons

Compensation. Pay and Benefits do not match the time spent on a project. Alabama is the Worst state to live in for SOFTWARE ENGINEER Salaries. 40 to 50 percent less than our peer States.

What is a java developer and how to become one

What general advice would you give to a Java Developer?

What are the pros and cons of being a Java Developer?

Java Developer career paths

Key steps to become a java developer

Explore java developer education requirements

Most common java developer degrees

Start to develop specific java developer skills

Complete relevant java developer training and internships

Gain additional java developer certifications

Research java developer duties and responsibilities

Prepare your java developer resume

Choose From 10+ Customizable Java Developer Resume templates

Apply for java developer jobs

How Did You Land Your First Java Developer Job

Average java developer salary

How do java developers rate their job?

Java Developer reviews

Java Developer FAQs

How long does it take to become a Java developer?

Is it hard to become a Java developer?

What are the skills required for a Java developer?

What companies hire Java developers?

What do I need to study to become a Java developer?

What is the use of a Java developer?

Search for java developer jobs

Java Developer jobs by state