9 of the Best Types of Developer Jobs in 2026

Discover some great types of Developer jobs that are hiring now.

High Paying Developer Jobs

• Independent Contractor Developer

  Salary range: $84,000 - $134,500

  You find Independent Contractors in many different industries, so the path to becoming one varies significantly. In general, you must have several years of experience in the field and have a track record of success in your industry. You also must pursue the kind of work that can be done on a consultant or contract basis. You may possess particular skills or expertise that a company needs temporarily, such as an IT Consultant, or provide a service that is required intermittently, like a Freelance Writer. Many Independent Contractors transition to becoming self-employed to have a more flexible schedule and the ability to choose their clients.

• Full Time Developer

  Salary range: $84,000 - $134,500

  Full-time employment hours are generally determined by the employer. There is no single universal definition; however, various laws and policies govern different types of eligibility and statuses. For example, the Fair Labor Standards Act does not define full-time employment but does require overtime pay after 40 hours of work in a workweek for non-exempt employees. The Affordable Care Act, in determining Applicable Large Employers, defines full-time employees as those working an average of at least 30 hours per week, or 130 hours a month. The H-1B Visa Program defines full-time as 40 hours per week, normally, and in no event would less than 35 hours per week be considered to be full-time employment. In practice, full-time employment is typically between 32 and 40 hours per week.

• Entry Level Developer

  Salary range: $63,500 - $106,000

  To become an entry-level developer, you need a bachelor’s degree in computer science, although some employers consider several years of experience coding for software or application development as a sufficient substitute for formal education. Additional qualifications include technical skills and advanced knowledge of at least one programming language. Good ones to know include Python, Java, and C. Previous UX or server experience is very helpful, especially for developing mobile apps.

• Junior Developer

  Salary range: $67,000 - $87,000

  Junior Developer is a popular job search query. Most salaries for Junior Developer jobs pay between $67,000 (25th percentile) and $87,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Junior Developer job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Developer Manager

  Salary range: $42,000 - $68,500

  Managers supervise a team of people; they establish goals, assign tasks, and measure progress. The specific responsibilities of someone in a management position will vary based on the company and industry they work in, but their primary responsibilities remain largely the same. Managers monitor the accomplishments of their staff, focusing on the overall goals of the department. They work with Human Resources to determine and address staffing needs, coordinate and delegate responsibilities, check employee performance, and provide additional training and direction when necessary.

• Trainee Developer

  Salary range: $32,000 - $50,500

  The requirements to get a trainee job vary by industry. In some, such as architecture or accounting, you must graduate from an accredited college program before you can begin work. Other industries, such as retail, manufacturing, or telemarketing, may require only a high school diploma or a GED certificate to begin a training program. No matter what profession you are interested in, you should have strong verbal and written communication and an interest in continuing the career.

• Internship Developer

  Salary range: $38,500 - $50,500

  An Internship is a position within your desired field that pays little or no money but offers you the opportunity to gain real-world experience. This may set you apart for your future job search. Generally, Internships are almost expected by employers on an entry-level candidate’s resume. You are much more of an asset to an employer if you have some work experience.

• Apprentice Developer

  Salary range: $36,000 - $50,000

  Apprentice Developer is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Apprentice Developer jobs pay between $36,000 (25th percentile) and $50,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Apprentice Developer job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Freelance Developer

  Salary range: $39,000 - $39,000

  A freelance developer performs software programming and web development duties for a client or clients on a contract basis. The qualifications you need for this position include a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field and technical skills. As in any freelance role, a portfolio of your previous work helps showcase your skills and experience to potential employers. Knowledge of web and programming languages such as HTML, JavaScript, PHP, and Python is often necessary.