How to Hire a Great iOS Developer

Hiring an iOS developer sounds simple—until you realize just how wide the talent gap really is. You’re not just looking for someone who can write code. You need someone who can ship clean, reliable apps, collaborate with your team, and understand how mobile development fits into your broader product strategy.

Whether you’re hiring for an in-office role, a remote US-based position, or looking internationally to access stronger talent within budget, this guide will give you the clarity you need.

We’ll break down the skills that matter most, how much to expect to pay, where to find candidates, and how to run a hiring process that leads to the right long-term fit.

What Do iOS Developers Do?

iOS developers build and maintain apps for Apple’s mobile ecosystem using Swift, Objective-C, and Apple’s development frameworks.

Their primary job is turning product requirements and designs into fully functional iPhone and iPad apps. This includes building user interfaces, integrating with APIs and backend services, implementing features like push notifications and in-app purchases, and optimizing performance for smooth user experiences.

iOS developers work closely with designers to bring mockups to life, collaborate with backend engineers to integrate data and services, and coordinate with product managers to ensure features align with business goals.

They’re also responsible for submitting apps to the App Store, managing updates, and fixing bugs that arise after launch.

What they don’t typically handle is backend architecture, server management, or cross-platform development. Their expertise is specifically in Apple’s ecosystem—understanding iOS design patterns, leveraging device-specific features, and creating apps that feel native to the platform.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire an iOS Developer?

In the US, hiring a full-time iOS developer typically costs between $71,000 and $159,500 annually, depending on experience and location.

Senior-level developers with deep SwiftUI, Core Data, and complex app architecture skills often command salaries at the top of that range, especially in competitive markets.

For many companies, though, hiring outside the US opens the door to the same level of expertise at a significantly lower cost.

In Latin America, based on our experience placing iOS development professionals, salary expectations are considerably lower:

These cost differences reflect local economic conditions, not differences in talent quality. Many Latin American iOS developers have worked extensively with US companies, understand American business practices, and bring the same level of technical expertise you’d expect from US-based developers.

For growing companies, these savings can be transformative. You might hire a full-time senior iOS developer in Latin America for the same budget you’d spend on a junior developer in the US, or build an entire mobile development team for the cost of one local hire.

What Skills Should You Look for When Hiring an iOS Developer?

Finding the right iOS developer means looking beyond the resume to assess both technical capabilities and collaborative skills. However, your evaluation approach should vary significantly based on the seniority level you’re targeting.

A junior iOS developer might excel at implementing basic UI components using Interface Builder but need guidance on complex state management patterns, while a senior iOS developer should be able to architect entire app modules, mentor other developers, and make strategic technical decisions about frameworks and app architecture.

Understanding these distinctions helps you evaluate candidates fairly and set realistic expectations. You don’t want to expect senior-level architectural thinking from a junior developer, nor do you want to settle for basic implementation skills when you need someone who can lead technical initiatives. 

Here’s how iOS developer skills typically progress across experience levels:

Regardless of seniority level, all iOS developers should demonstrate certain fundamental capabilities. Here are the core skills to evaluate:

Hard skills (the must-haves)

The essential technical skills that separate competent iOS developers from beginners:

• Swift and iOS frameworks mastery: All iOS developers should be comfortable with Swift and key frameworks like UIKit, Foundation, and Core Data. Understanding of iOS architecture patterns like MVC, MVP, or MVVM is essential for writing maintainable code.
• Xcode proficiency: Beyond basic code editing, developers should know how to use Interface Builder, manage project configurations, debug effectively, and navigate iOS development tools. This includes understanding how to work with simulators and physical devices.
• API integration and networking: Most modern apps connect to backend services. Look for experience with URLSession, JSON parsing, handling authentication, and working with REST APIs. Understanding of async/await patterns in modern Swift is increasingly important.
• Version control and collaboration: Git proficiency is non-negotiable for any developer working on a team. They should understand branching, merging, and collaborative development workflows.
• Testing and debugging: While junior developers might write basic unit tests, all iOS developers should understand how to use Xcode’s debugging tools, identify performance bottlenecks, and ensure app stability across different devices.

Soft skills (equally important)

Technical skills get the job done, but soft skills determine how well developers integrate with your team and handle the inevitable challenges of app development.

• Problem-solving mindset: iOS development involves constant troubleshooting—from weird device-specific bugs to App Store review rejections. The best developers approach problems methodically and don’t give up when things get complicated.
• Clear communication: Whether explaining technical decisions to non-technical stakeholders or collaborating with designers on UI implementation, strong communication skills are essential. According to one of our recruiters, “The best candidates can explain what they do to someone who isn’t a developer.” 
• Self-direction and ownership: Great iOS developers take responsibility for their work and proactively identify potential issues. They don’t wait for detailed instructions—they ask smart questions and make informed decisions.
• Adaptability: Apple’s ecosystem changes frequently with new iOS versions, updated guidelines, and evolving best practices. Look for developers who stay current with these changes and adapt their skills accordingly.
• Attention to detail: iOS users have high expectations for polish and performance. Developers who pay attention to small details—smooth animations, proper spacing, consistent behavior—create better user experiences.

Nice-to-have skills (the differentiators)

These skills aren’t essential but can provide significant value depending on your needs:

• UI/UX design sensibility: Developers who understand design principles can bridge the gap between mockups and implementation, often catching usability issues early and suggesting improvements.
• Backend development experience: While not their primary role, iOS developers with some backend knowledge can better understand API design, help with troubleshooting integration issues, and contribute to technical architecture discussions.
• Cross-platform experience: Knowledge of React Native, Flutter, or other cross-platform frameworks can be valuable for teams considering hybrid approaches or migrating between platforms.
• App Store Optimization (ASO): Understanding how app store algorithms work, how to write effective app descriptions, and how to optimize for discoverability can help your app succeed beyond just functioning well.
• Analytics and crash reporting: Experience with tools like Firebase Analytics, Crashlytics, or Flurry helps developers build apps that provide insights into user behavior and maintain stability in production.

Swift is the primary language for iOS development, and your candidate should be fluent in it—especially when working with native Apple frameworks like UIKit, SwiftUI, and Combine. But while it’s essential, only 4.7% of professional developers report using Swift regularly, according to the 2024 Stack Overflow Developer Survey. That makes experienced iOS developers harder to find, especially if you’re hiring locally or on a tight budget.

Where Can You Find and Hire Great iOS Developers?

The best iOS developers aren’t always found on traditional job boards—and if you’re only looking locally, you’re likely missing out on stronger candidates at better rates.

Your approach to finding iOS developers depends on your timeline, budget, and whether you’re comfortable managing remote team members.

Deciding between local, national, or global talent

Each approach has distinct advantages:

• Local/in-office hiring offers direct collaboration and simplified onboarding but comes with higher costs and limited talent pools, especially in smaller markets.
• Remote US-based talent expands your options significantly while maintaining familiar communication patterns and legal frameworks, though you’ll still pay US salary rates.
• International hiring provides access to broader skill sets and significant cost savings.

Latin America stands out for software development compared to other regions. It’s particularly attractive for US companies due to time zone compatibility (most developers work during overlapping US business hours), strong English proficiency, and cultural alignment with US business practices. This “nearshore hiring” approach offers many advantages over traditional offshore models.

Other regions like Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia also offer skilled developers, though time zone differences can complicate real-time collaboration. 

Choosing the right sourcing channel

Once you’ve decided where to hire from, the next step is choosing how to find qualified candidates. 

Here’s how the most common sourcing channels compare for iOS developer hiring:

Job boards give you direct access to active candidates but require significant time investment in screening. Freelance platforms work well for project-based needs or testing candidates before full-time offers.

Professional networks and referrals often yield high-quality candidates. In fact, according to the JetBrains Developer Lifestyles survey, 30% of developers landed their current job through referrals. 

Why working with a recruiting partner makes a difference

A trusted recruitment partner can help ensure you make the right hire, access more qualified candidates faster, and avoid delays.

You can absolutely hire a great iOS developer independently—many companies do. If you have internal hiring expertise, clear requirements, and adequate time, a DIY approach can work well.

But if you’re short on time, new to iOS hiring, or exploring international talent for the first time, working with a recruitment partner can significantly accelerate your process.

This is especially true for international hiring. Navigating different job markets, understanding local salary expectations, managing time zone differences, and handling international contracts involves a steep learning curve.

A recruitment partner experienced in sourcing offshore iOS talent can help you:

• Access pre-screened candidates who’ve already been evaluated for technical skills
• Understand local market conditions and competitive salary ranges
• Navigate cultural and communication differences in international hiring
• Handle compliance and legal requirements for international employment
• Move faster by leveraging existing talent networks and relationships

The cost of working with a recruitment partner is often offset by time savings, reduced risk of bad hires, and access to candidates you might not find through other channels.

If you’re hiring internationally, a specialized recruitment partner can be the difference between a smooth hiring process and months of frustration. 

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How to Hire the Best iOS Developer: Best Practices

Hiring great iOS developers requires more than posting a job description and reviewing applications. The best outcomes come from a strategic approach that evaluates both technical skills and collaborative abilities.

Stage 1: Before and during sourcing

The foundation of successful iOS hiring starts before you begin reviewing resumes.

• Define your specific iOS development needs: Are you building a new app from scratch, maintaining an existing codebase, or adding specific features? Do you need someone comfortable with legacy Objective-C code, or can you focus on Swift-only developers? Clear requirements help you attract relevant candidates and avoid the “unicorn” trap of expecting one person to handle everything.
• Craft job descriptions that attract the right talent: Successful iOS job descriptions go beyond listing technical requirements. Include details about the app’s purpose, the team structure, and what success looks like in the role. Be specific about iOS versions you support, any legacy code considerations, and whether the role involves App Store management.

In our experience, job descriptions that mention specific iOS frameworks (like SwiftUI or Combine) and real project challenges tend to attract more qualified candidates than generic listings.

For detailed guidance on this, check out our guide on how to write a software developer job description that covers the key elements that attract top technical talent.

Stage 2: Screening and evaluation

Technical skills are important, but they’re not the only factor in successful iOS hires.

• Look beyond the portfolio: While app store listings and GitHub repositories provide valuable insight, they don’t tell the full story. Ask candidates to walk you through their development process, explain technical decisions they made, and describe challenges they overcame. 
• Use practical coding assessments: Rather than theoretical algorithm questions, give candidates real-world iOS challenges. This might involve debugging existing code, implementing a specific UI component, or integrating with a mock API. Live coding exercises or take-home projects both work well, but be respectful of candidates’ time. 

According to HackerRank’s 2025 Developer Survey, “66% of developers prefer practical coding challenges.”

• Assess remote readiness: If you’re hiring remotely, pay attention to how candidates communicate during the interview process. Do they ask clarifying questions? Do they respond promptly to emails? Are they comfortable with video calls and screen sharing? These “soft signals” often predict how well they’ll work in a distributed team.

Stage 3: Making the offer and closing the deal

Strong iOS developers often have multiple opportunities, so your offer needs to be compelling beyond just salary.

• Move quickly once you find the right candidate: If you’ve found someone who checks all your boxes, don’t delay. Our recruiters consistently see companies lose good candidates to competitors who make faster decisions.
• Craft offers that reflect what iOS developers value: Beyond competitive compensation, developers often care about professional growth, flexibility, and the opportunity to work on meaningful projects. If your app solves interesting technical challenges or reaches significant user bases, highlight that. Remote work options, flexible hours, and learning opportunities carry real weight.
• Be clear about next steps and onboarding: Once an offer is accepted, provide clear communication about start dates, equipment setup, and early priorities. iOS developers often need access to specific hardware and software licenses, so plan for these logistics early.

Top Interview Questions for Hiring iOS Developers That Reveal the Right Fit

The best iOS interview questions go beyond testing framework knowledge to reveal how candidates think, solve problems, and collaborate with teams.

“Walk me through how you’d approach building a new iOS app from scratch.”

This question reveals architectural thinking and planning skills. Strong candidates will mention considerations like target iOS versions, device compatibility, data architecture, and third-party dependencies. They should also discuss user experience considerations and how they’d structure the codebase for maintainability.

“Describe a time when you had to debug a particularly challenging iOS issue.”

iOS development involves plenty of platform-specific bugs that can be frustrating to diagnose. This question helps you understand the candidate’s persistence, debugging methodology, and ability to work with iOS-specific tools.

“How do you handle feedback, both positive and negative, from peers or managers?”

Our recruiters find that “how candidates handle feedback is very telling.” iOS development involves constant iteration based on user testing, stakeholder feedback, and code reviews.

Strong answers demonstrate openness to constructive criticism, the ability to incorporate feedback into future work, and provide examples of how feedback has led to improvements. 

“How do you stay current with iOS development changes and new frameworks?”

New iOS versions, frameworks, and development practices emerging regularly. This question reveals whether candidates are committed to continuous learning.

Good responses include following Apple’s developer documentation, attending WWDC sessions, participating in iOS developer communities, and experimenting with new frameworks in personal projects. 

“Tell me about a time when you had to work with unclear or changing requirements.”

iOS projects often evolve as stakeholders see early versions and user feedback comes in. This question helps you assess adaptability and communication skills.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring iOS Developers

Even with a solid process, certain mistakes can derail your iOS hiring efforts. Here are the most costly pitfalls and how to avoid them:

1. Requiring unnecessary iOS credentials or rigid degree requirements

Many companies automatically filter out candidates without computer science degrees, potentially missing excellent developers. According to our recruiters, “A lot of good engineers don’t have a degree. In Latin America, many engineers start working before they graduate from college.” 

We always advise that you should focus on practical skills and portfolio quality. Some of the best iOS developers are self-taught or have learned from coding bootcamps. What matters is their ability to build quality apps, not their educational background.

2. Making the hiring process too long or complex

iOS developers, especially good ones, often have multiple opportunities. A drawn-out hiring process with multiple technical assessments can cause you to lose strong candidates to faster-moving competitors.

Our recruiters consistently see this issue: “Candidates don’t want to go through too long of a process or multiple technical assessments.” Streamline your process to include one meaningful technical evaluation and focus on efficient decision-making.

3. Focusing only on technical skills while ignoring soft skills

Writing good Swift code is important, but iOS developers need to collaborate with designers, explain technical decisions to stakeholders, and work effectively in team environments.

During interviews, pay attention to communication skills, problem-solving approaches, and how candidates handle feedback. These abilities often determine long-term success more than pure technical knowledge.

4. Underestimating the importance of iOS-specific experience

Not all mobile development experience translates directly to iOS. Android developers might understand mobile concepts but lack familiarity with iOS-specific patterns, App Store requirements, or Apple’s design guidelines.

While cross-platform experience can be valuable, ensure your hire has substantial iOS-specific knowledge if that’s what your project requires.

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Final Thoughts

The right iOS developer becomes a key contributor to your product’s success. They’ll turn your vision into polished, user-friendly apps that perform well and delight users across the iOS ecosystem.

But finding that developer requires looking beyond technical credentials to assess problem-solving abilities, communication skills, and cultural fit. 

If working with a recruitment partner seems like the right approach, consider a specialized firm that can make the hiring process seamless, efficient, and stress-free.

At Near, we take the time to understand exactly what you need in an iOS developer. We then match you with pre-vetted Latin American iOS developers who fit your specific requirements, work style, and budget.

Our candidates work during your business hours, integrate seamlessly with your team, and deliver exceptional quality at rates up to 66% less than those of US-based developers.

Ready to find an iOS developer who can turn your app vision into reality while fitting your budget? Book a free consultation call with our team today, and we’ll help you find the perfect match within 21 days.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hiring iOS Developers

What’s the difference between a Swift developer and an iOS developer?

An iOS developer builds mobile applications for iPhones and iPads, typically using Swift and Apple’s iOS SDKs.

A Swift developer, on the other hand, specializes in the Swift programming language and may work across various Apple platforms—not just iOS, but also macOS, watchOS, or even server-side Swift.

If you’re building a mobile app, you’ll want an iOS developer who’s proficient in Swift. But if your project requires deep language-level expertise or spans multiple Apple platforms, a Swift developer may be the better fit.

What’s the difference between hiring an iOS developer vs. a mobile developer?

iOS developers specialize specifically in Apple’s ecosystem—they work with Swift, Xcode, iOS frameworks, and understand Apple’s design guidelines and App Store requirements. They’re your best bet if you’re building native iOS apps or need someone who can leverage platform-specific features like Apple Pay, HealthKit, or advanced camera functionality.

“Mobile developers,” on the other hand, usually focus on cross-platform frameworks like React Native or Flutter. They build apps that work on both iOS and Android from a single codebase—often a faster, more cost-effective option for simpler applications.

Choose iOS-specific developers when you need native performance, platform-specific features, or are building complex apps where user experience matters most. Hire a mobile developer when you need to launch on both platforms quickly and your app doesn’t require advanced platform-specific functionality.

If you’re leaning toward cross-platform development, check out our guides on how to hire a React Native developer and how to hire a Flutter developer. 

Should I hire a junior, mid-level, or senior iOS developer?

This depends on your project complexity and team structure. Junior developers (1–2 years experience) work well for implementing straightforward features under guidance—they’re cost-effective and eager to learn, but need mentorship and clear direction. Expect them to handle basic UI implementation and simple API integration.

Mid-level developers (3–5 years) can own complete features independently, handle App Store submissions, and work with minimal oversight. They’re often the sweet spot for most projects—experienced enough to solve problems but not over-qualified for standard development work.

Senior developers (5+ years) make sense when you need architectural decisions, complex performance optimization, or someone who can mentor others. They’re essential for apps with significant technical challenges or when you’re building a team from scratch.

Our advice: start with the level you need most immediately. You can always add other experience levels as your project and team grow.

What’s the real cost difference between hiring locally vs. internationally?

The numbers vary, but based on our experience, you can expect 40-70% cost savings by hiring iOS developers internationally without compromising quality. But cost isn’t the only factor. International hiring often means access to developers with the exact skills you need that maybe you are struggling to find locally (at least within your budget).

The tradeoff in offshoring iOS development is usually in hiring complexity, not work quality. You’ll need to handle international contracts and payment processing unless you are hiring through a staffing or recruiting agency like Near. However, many companies find these challenges minimal compared to the benefits of accessing global talent pools.

Keep in mind that “cheap” isn’t the goal—fair compensation in local markets often attracts better talent than trying to lowball rates. The best international developers have options, so competitive offers within their local context usually yield better results than trying to minimize costs.

Should I outsource iOS development to an agency or hire a dedicated developer?

It depends on your goals. If you’re building a quick MVP or one-off project, an iOS development agency can get you to launch faster with less overhead. But if you’re looking to build and maintain a product long-term, hiring your own iOS developer gives you more control, flexibility, and consistency over time.

Many growing teams find that having dedicated developers leads to better outcomes than outsourcing iOS development. That’s why more engineering leaders are moving away from outsourcing shops and building nearshore teams instead. Here’s why forward-thinking CTOs are turning to Latin America to build better engineering teams.