First released in 1995, Java is a general-purpose language that is concurrent, class-based, and object-oriented, with the goal of letting application developers “write once, run anywhere.” Java is one of the most popular programming languages, especially for client-server web applications, and boasts a nine million strong developer base. In Stack Overflow’s 2018 Developer Survey, 45.4% of professional developers worked with Java, compared to 37.9% for Python and 10.3% for Ruby. Java developers that freelance typically charge an average of $61-80/hr.
When hiring Java developers, be sure to also consider the difference in hourly rates for different engagement types, such as temp, part-time, and freelance. Developers that are hired for full-time jobs may charge different rates if you want to someone who is available on-site versus fully remote.
Whether you already have a development team or want to build a new one, hiring a skilled freelance Java developer can help accelerate your projects. The key factor when considering a freelance Java developer is your budget – how much you have and how much you're willing to invest. The hourly rates of Java developers can vary based on their location and your project's scope.
Let's begin with location. Hiring remote developers offers the advantage of choosing from various geographic locations and time zones that align with your project requirements. For instance, if most of your development team is based in North America, you might want to explore freelance Java developers in the United States, Canada, or Mexico for better worktime overlap. On the other hand, if you're on a tighter budget, consider working with freelance Java developers in South American countries like Argentina, Brazil, or Colombia, or in Asian countries like India, the Philippines, and Malaysia. Hiring freelance developers outside North America often allows for negotiation of lower Java developer hourly rates.
Another significant factor influencing the Java developer hourly rate is your project's scope. Typically, more complex projects mean higher overall costs. However, if you plan to engage with your freelance developer for an extended period, you can discuss a reduced Java developer hourly rate. Providing freelance developers with a consistent flow of projects incentivizes them to lower their hourly rates.
To accurately determine the total cost, have a detailed discussion about your project with your freelance developer. Ensure you convey your ideas comprehensively, which will enable your freelance developer to provide a precise Java developer hourly rate estimate. While estimating development timelines can be challenging for lengthy coding projects, offering the developer as much detail as possible will help align the estimate closely with the actual cost.