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Associate Software Developer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Developer Associate

Evanston, IL · On-site

$72K - $89K/yr

Completes maintenance and support tasks for existing software products. Assists in developing ... Writes programs according to specifications from analysts and senior developers. Perform basic ...

Showing results 41-60

Associate Software Developer information

See Illinois salary details

$10.7K

$80.8K

$126.9K

How much do associate software developer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate software developer in Illinois is $80,786.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $60,100.00 and $91,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an associate software developer?

An Associate Software Developer is an entry-level professional who assists in designing, coding, testing, and maintaining software applications. They typically work under the supervision of more experienced developers, contributing to the development process by writing code, fixing bugs, and participating in code reviews. This role is ideal for recent graduates or those new to the software development field, as it provides opportunities to learn industry best practices and grow technical skills. Associate Software Developers often collaborate with team members and may work on various projects to gain exposure to different technologies.

What is an associate software developer?

As an associate software developer, you assist senior software developers with the programming and development of computer software. Your job duties include writing software code in various programming languages, troubleshooting issues with software applications, and performing unit testing of software components. The career typically requires a bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field and on-the-job training. Additional qualifications include strong technical and problem-solving skills, prior coding experience, and knowledge of multiple programming languages.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate software developer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Associate Software Developer, you need a solid understanding of programming languages (such as Java, Python, or C#), problem-solving abilities, and typically a degree in computer science or a related field. Experience with version control systems like Git, knowledge of integrated development environments (IDEs), and familiarity with software development methodologies are commonly required. Strong collaboration, adaptability, and effective communication help you excel within development teams and respond to project changes. These skills ensure efficient code development, seamless teamwork, and the ability to contribute to high-quality software solutions.

What are some common challenges faced by associate software developers when collaborating on large projects?

Associate Software Developers often encounter challenges such as managing code integration with multiple team members, understanding legacy codebases, and keeping up with rapid changes in project requirements. Effective communication and proactive participation in code reviews are essential to ensure smooth collaboration. Additionally, learning to use version control systems and development tools efficiently helps minimize conflicts and improves productivity within the team.

What is the difference between Associate Software Developer vs Junior Software Engineer?

AspectAssociate Software DeveloperJunior Software Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in CS or related field, some internshipsBachelor's in CS or related field, entry-level
Work EnvironmentCollaborative teams, entry-level projectsDevelopment teams, learning-focused tasks
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, startups, IT firmsSoftware firms, tech departments in various industries
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

The main difference between an Associate Software Developer and a Junior Software Engineer lies in terminology and specific company usage. Both roles typically require similar educational backgrounds and involve entry-level development tasks. The title 'Associate Software Developer' is often used in tech companies emphasizing a developmental pathway, while 'Junior Software Engineer' may be more common in traditional engineering environments. Overall, these roles are quite similar, with differences mainly in naming conventions.

What are the most commonly searched types of Software Developer jobs in Illinois?

The most popular types of Software Developer jobs in Illinois are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Associate Software Developer jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Associate Software Developer job openings:

Infographic showing various Associate Software Developer job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 23% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,786 per year, or $38.8 per hour.

Developer Associate

Evanston, IL • On-site

$72K - $89K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 9 days ago


Northwestern University rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 49 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Department: IT AS App Dev & Ops
Salary/Grade: ITS/78
Target hiring range for this position will be between $72,340-89,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data
Job Summary:
Completes maintenance and support tasks for existing software products. Assists in developing, testing, and debugging new software or making enhancements to existing software. Writes programs according to specifications from analysts and senior developers. Perform basic system integration tasks.
Please note:
Under our current hybrid work model, a minimum of two in-office days with the team are expected per week, subject to change.
Specific Responsibilities:
Strategic Planning
  • Collaborates with analysts to develop workflows and features.
  • Assists in all stages of the project, starting from the initial planning stages
Administration
  • Responds to inquiries and adheres to Northwestern's ITSM.
  • Creates and maintains software, process, and support documentation.
  • Routes more complex requests for features/upgrades/changes to appropriate senior staff/management.
  • Participates in team and project meetings.
Development
  • Assists with all phases of the SDLC.
  • Writes programs according to specifications from analysts and senior developers.
  • Develops applications adhering to designs that support internal business requirements or external user.
  • Completes tier 3 troubleshooting.
  • Prioritizes assigned tasks.
  • Meets with business analysts and stakeholders to determine requirements.
  • Escalates issues with vendors as appropriate.
Miscellaneous
Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
  • Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in a major such as computer science, information technology, or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
  • No professional experience required.
Infrastructure
  • Amazon Web Services (AWS)
  • Code Repositories (Git, Subversion)
  • Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access, Outlook)
  • SQL/MySQL/Postgres
Programming Languages and Frameworks
  • Java
  • JavaScript
  • Node.js
  • PHP
  • Laravel
Analytical
  • critical thinking
  • database design/ data structure
  • Debugging
  • decision making
  • problem solving
  • Troubleshooting
Project
  • Code documentation
  • collaboration and teamwork
  • organizational skills
  • planning
  • workflow development & documentation
Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)
  • Knowledgeable in a modern programming language such as PHP, Python, Java, JavaScript, etc.
  • Conceptual understanding of REST APIs and JSON.
  • Experience using Git version control system.
  • Experience developing a CRUD web application using a SQL or NoSQL database.
  • Experience learning a new technology independently.
  • Strong verbal and written communication abilities.
  • Ability to critically think and ability to understand projects from business, customer and technical perspectives.
  • Excellent analytic, problem-solving, and collaborative skills.
  • Ability to prioritize and multi-task.
  • Proactively identifies, communicates, and addresses application problems and opportunities.
  • Proficient in collaboration tools such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams.
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Knowledge of higher education.
  • Experience working as part of an Agile software development team and/or as part of diverse information systems project teams is highly desired
  • Knowledge of current industry best practices in software design and software development implementation, methodology, including structured testing
Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)
  • Experience developing full-stack applications on an application framework such as Laravel, CakePHP, Drupal, Symfony, CodeIgniter, .NET MVC, Django, Ruby on Rails, Spring, etc. Laravel preferred.
  • Experience with relational database development.
  • Experience writing automated tests for an application.
  • Experience creating technical documentation.
  • Familiarity with GitHub Actions.
  • Familiarity with Terraform.
  • Familiarity with cloud (AWS) services.
  • Self-starter able to work in a hybrid environment
Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.
Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.
Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more
Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement . Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process .

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