Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the paradigm of a traditional workplace has changed dramatically. Remote work is a growing trend, especially in the tech sector, where 62% of developers work fully remotely and 83% work off-site at least half of the time. By 2025, an estimated 36.2 million Americans (22% of the workforce) will be working remotely. Nearly 98% of workers express a desire to work from home, at least part time. The biggest advantage of remote developer jobs is the flexibility they offer and the potential for higher earnings, more savings and better work-life balance.
This article provides an overview of the remote developer job description, required qualifications, skills and experience, salary and benefits and frequently asked questions related to remote developers.
What Does a Remote Developer Do?
A remote developer designs and creates software programs and systems. Remote developers:
- Design, develop, test, deploy and maintain high-quality software solutions.
- Collaborate with team members using various communication tools.
These workers aren't on-site or in-house but perform their tasks remotely from home or another location. They're still expected to communicate with their immediate supervisor and team members. They're required to meet project deadlines, attend team meetings (online or on-site if required) and meet quality expectations.
Remote Developer Job Responsibilities
Remote developers evaluate the needs and requirements of a client or project and develop programs and software solutions. Here are some key remote software developer responsibilities:
- Design and develop software solutions.
- Document the software development process.
- Develop algorithms and provide logic.
- Troubleshoot computer systems and fix software malfunctions.
- Improve existing systems.
- Implement new software design ideas.
- Research emerging software design and solutions and recommend updates.
It's also the responsibility of a remote developer to engage with the team and their manager/supervisor, have strong communication skills and possess the self-motivation and discipline to work independently.
Remote Developer Qualifications and Skills (Education, Experience and Certification Requirements)
While specific criteria and job requirements may vary depending on the company and position, there are some basic work-from-home developer requirements and qualifications.
Education
Most employers require remote developers to have a bachelor's degree in computer science, mathematics, engineering, information technology or a related field. Some remote developers may be able to get a client or project without a degree, as they may have the required programming knowledge and/or certificates.
Technical Skills
A good remote developer should have skills in the main programming languages, including Python, Java, C++ and Ruby. They also need a working knowledge of data structures, servers and algorithms.
Soft Skills
Remote developers must have the right attitude, high levels of self-motivation and excellent communication skills. They should be detail-oriented and analytical and demonstrate team spirit and leadership.
Certifications
Remote developers have several certification options available to them, including Certified Software Development Professional, Certified Scrum Developer, Google Cloud Professional Developer, Red Hat Enterprise Application Developer, Certified Mobile Application Developer, AWS Certified Developer, Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE Programmer, Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate, Professional Software Developer Certification and Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional.
Remote Developer Potential Projects
Projects for remote developers can vary widely depending on the company and industry. A remote developer has also the opportunity to work on diverse and challenging projects for global clients. Some examples of potential projects for remote developers include:
- Website development: This includes writing code and front-end or back-end development (or both).
- Front-end development: Overseeing the front end of a website, or the part of the website the user interacts with, developing and managing it from design to navigation to mobile responsiveness.
- Back-end development: Managing the performance and data of a website that's not accessible or visible to the user. This includes site speed, server-side functioning and management, storage and retrieval of data.
- Full-stack development: Building and maintaining both the front and back ends and responsible for all aspects of a website.
- Software development: Using coding languages, software development programs, mathematical analysis and computer science principles to develop software.
- App development: Designing, creating and maintaining an app for a specific operating system and troubleshooting, debugging and testing the app.
Remote Developer Salary Expectations
Salaries for remote developers vary depending on experience and skills. On average, a remote software developer can make around $130,000 per year or $60 per hour. Experienced workers can earn $170,000 per year or more.
Remote Developer Work Hours and Benefits
Remote developers typically work full time (40 hours per week) with potential overtime. However, since these professionals work remotely, they may not always follow the 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. work schedule, especially if they're in a different region from their employer. Many remote developers work as freelancers or independent contractors and may not be entitled to the same benefits as an in-house employee. But this depends on the industry and the employer. The flexibility and convenience of remote employment often offset the lack of health insurance benefits. Also, it is expected that remote developers would be able to set boundaries and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Remote Developer FAQs
What Are the Latest Statistics on Remote Work Adoption among Developers?
Remote work continues to grow rapidly, especially among developers. Approximately 63% of developers prefer location-independent teams and 54% prefer to work from home full time.
What Are the Primary Responsibilities of a Remote Developer?
The primary remote programming job duties of a developer include writing code; designing, maintaining, modifying, changing and updating software; troubleshooting systems and documenting processes.
What Are the Most Common Questions Job Seekers Have about Remote Developer Positions?
These are some crucial questions that job seekers interested in remote developer positions might have:
- Will working remotely affect my salary and compensation package?
- Will I be able to get paid time off?
- Will I have access to the same training and career advancement opportunities as in-house employees?
- Will I be able to connect properly with my team members and my manager/supervisor?
- Will the top management ever hear of my contribution to the project/work?
- Will this job be stable, or can I be replaced anytime?
Overall, remote opportunities continue to grow for developers. Remote software developers can fulfill the requirements of a client or project and develop programs and software solutions provided they have the necessary skills and training to do so. The important thing is to ensure effective communication with supervisors/clients and team members and meeting project deadlines and goals while working remotely.
