What is a .NET Developer? Job Description, Salary, and More

Are you interested in becoming a .NET developer? As a leading IT staffing agency, we know what it takes to land a role in this field—because we talk to (and hire) people in this position all the time.

In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about .NET development, plus the skills you need, common interview questions, and more.

Let’s dive in!

First, What’s .NET?

To understand what a .NET developer is, you need to know the basics of .NET. Basically, .NET is Microsoft’s free and open-source software development platform. It provides developers with a set of tools and programing instructions to make it easier to construct, test, deploy, and maintain applications.

What’s a .NET Developer? What Do They Do?

A .NET developer is a software expert who specializes in using the .NET platform to build web, desktop, and mobile applications. They typically work as part of a team that includes other developers and project managers, and they frequently collaborate with business analysts to ensure their applications meet the needs of users.

It’s widely used and reliable, which is why you can make an entire career out of .NET development! Let’s go over a few reasons why this kind of development is in-demand:

Cross-platform Compatibility

.NET supports cross-platform development, meaning you can write code and then run it on multiple operating systems (macOS, Windows, and Linux).

Faster Development

A wide range of libraries and tools enables NET developers to focus solely on the core functionality of their application—not the low-level details—resulting in faster development.

Scalability

.NET offers businesses and development teams a scalable, customizable environment for redesigning ongoing applications. It’s a framework that can quickly adapt to the ever-evolving needs of a growing business, which means companies everywhere are looking for people who specialize in the platform.

.NET Developer Job Description

Their job description can vary from company to company, but generally, a .NET developer is responsible for:

• Writing code using .NET languages (C#, F#, and Visual Basic)
• Testing, deploying, and maintaining applications and systems using the .NET framework
• Troubleshooting existing .NET applications
• Gathering client and user feedback to improve applications
• Provide other application support as needed

How Much Does a .Net Developer Make?

Like their job description, a .NET developer’s salary depends on their company as well as a few other factors, like industry, location, and seniority level.

For example, an entry-level job seeker can expect an annual salary of $87,000 as a .NET developer, while an experienced developer can make as much as $155,000 per year , according to Glassdoor.

What Qualifications Are Needed to Become a .NET Developer?

Like all software developers, .NET developers are in demand and can expect a competitive salary for their work. But if you’re thinking of pursuing this career path, there are a few qualifications you should consider first!

For one, many businesses require their software developers to have at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. It’s important to note, however, that education-based hiring may be slowing down in favor of skills-based hiring—so don’t feel deterred if you have the right skills but not the degree.

What are the right skills, though? In addition to soft skills like communication, problem-solving, and collaboration, .NET developers should be able to write reliable and easy to maintain code, conduct testing and maintenance procedures, and work in database systems like Oracle or SQL.

Other .NET developer skills and qualifications include:

• In-depth understanding of the .NET infrastructure
• Proficiently in .NET programming languages
• Familiarity with DevOps practices and tools (source control, continuous integration, and automation)

.NET Developer Interview Questions

The questions asked in a .NET developer interview largely depend on the level of experience the hiring manager is looking for. Still, every interviewee should expect some basic questions on .NET development and its functions.

Here are some common interview questions you may encounter during a .NET developer job interview:

• Why did you pursue a career in .NET development? What are your long-term goals in this industry?
• What is the .NET framework and how does it work?
• What are some advantages of using the .NET framework to build applications? Are there any disadvantages?
• How many programming languages are supported by .NET?
• Can you explain caching and its three types?
• What is LINQ and how is it used in .NET development?
• What is the difference between managed and unmanaged code?

Look for a .Net Developer Job Today

Whether you’re an experienced IT professional looking to switch careers or a recent college graduate, we hope this post provided you with valuable insights to a .NET development career.

And when you’re ready to start applying to jobs, head over to the Insight Global job board, where you’ll find thousands of listings!