Can You Make a Living From iOS App Development and What's the Potential Income?

Yes, making a living from iOS app development is possible, although the road can be challenging and the path to success depends on various factors. There are at least three primary ways to approach iOS app development if you're looking to make a living from this field:

Three Ways to Make a Living in iOS App Development

Develop Apps as an Employee: This option involves working for a company as a full-time employee. Your potential income in this scenario is based on the going rate for skilled software developers in your region. Contract Work: Offer your services as a contractor to individuals, businesses, or development houses. Your income may fluctuate based on project duration and scope, but typically these positions offer competitive rates. Create Your Own Apps: Develop and publish your own apps in the App Store. This can be the most challenging as it requires you to create valuable, marketable apps and effectively market them on your own.

Potential Income Considerations

Option 3, creating and publishing your own apps, is probably the hardest but can also be the most rewarding if you have the right skills and a keen understanding of the market. According to the Apple App Store guidelines, the potential income from this route can range from zero to a lot, depending on the success of your app.

It's important to note that while the barrier to entry for iOS app development has lowered with modern tools and frameworks, the bar for earning money is indeed higher than ever. As the app store becomes more crowded, making your app discoverable becomes critically important.

Remember, back in 2007, a good knowledge of your craft and skills were necessary to develop an iOS app. Manual memory management, programmatically creating views, and mastering OpenGL ES for game development were common. However, the advent of technologies like ARC (Automatic Reference Counting), storyboards, and Cocos2D makes it easier for novices to jump into app development.

Community and Expertise

While modern tools and frameworks make it easier to get started, there remains a significant advantage for those who have been around since the beginning. Veteran developers bring extensive experience, which they can leverage to create high-quality, complex apps. Nonetheless, there is still a demand for novelty and creativity. Some users prefer the pseudo-threatening simplicity of games like Flappy Bird, which shows that creativity and unique ideas can still carve out a niche.

Potential Income Breakdown

Option 1 and 2's potential income can be competitive and based on the going rate for talent. For Option 3, the potential income is more variable and depends largely on the success and discoverability of your app. You can make money, but it's not guaranteed.

Professional Opportunities in iOS App Development

The market for iOS developers is very competitive, with a high demand for skilled professionals. As an iOS developer with a few years of experience, you can find a variety of job opportunities ranging from startups to large corporations. Salaries and equity shares play a critical role in startup environments, offering additional financial incentives that one might not find in more established companies.

Startups vs. Big Companies

Startups: Working on user-facing products such as a mobile app can be both rewarding and fun. Compensation often comes in the form of a mix of salary and equity, which can significantly boost your financial return if the startup succeeds. Larger Companies: Develop both user-facing and internal tools. This can include anything from POS systems in department stores to custom apps for various services. Compensation is typically based on a full salary, but can include equity shares to encourage long-term growth.

Contract Work

Contract work can provide flexible income opportunities, but it can also be sporadic. You may find gig work on platforms like Craigslist, where demand is high and hourly rates are competitive. However, this work typically does not provide the stability of a full-time position, and the number of hours can fluctuate significantly.

Overall, with the right skills and a strategic approach, making a living from iOS app development is very much possible. Just be prepared for the challenges and be open to different earning structures and compensation models.