How to Hire the Best Freelance Java Developer

The global developer population is expected to reach 28.7 million people by 2024.

Hiring a programmer takes time, knowing what questions to ask, and the specific programming language that you require your developer to hold.

In this article, we will share our tips on what to look for in a Java developer and where to find the best talent.

What is Java Used For?

Java is a popular general-purpose programming language and can be used to write code for multiple different platforms at once. Here are some common uses of the Java programming language.

Desktop Programs

Java is one of the easiest programming languages for writing software that can be used on multiple platforms and operating systems. The Java Virtual Machine (JVM) is the core piece of software on which Java code runs, and has been developed to work on all major systems including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.

Android OS Code

The Android SDK (software development kit) is written in Java. An SDK is a collection of tools within a single package. In this case, the SDK allows mobile app developers to write code for Android phones. While not every mobile app is written in Java, Java can help with the unique tools needed for writing these apps.

Embedded Systems

Many embedded systems are dependent upon Java. This includes devices such as traffic lights, microcontrollers, machinery, electronic toys, and factory controllers. Many modern Internet of Things (IoT) devices also use Java.

Scientific Research

Some computer programs used within the science and research sector are built on top of Java. One example of this is the MATLAB software, which is integrated with Java. Modifications of the MATLAB source code require the use of Java.

What to Look for When Hiring a Java Developer

When hiring a Java programmer, there are a few things you have to consider including experience, rates, and the type of work arrangement. It also depends on the type of project you have and what skills you need to complete it.

Java Required Skills

Here are some of the basic skills that a Java Developer is expected to have:

• Standard Java library functions
• Java keywords such as static, final, this, and super
• Common data structures such as linked lists, arrays, and trees
• Exceptions and error handling

Java Experience

Java developers should have some experience with the following:

• Threading and synchronization
• Object-oriented programming (OOP)
• REST APIs
• Constructors and abstract classes
• Generics
• Java unit testing libraries
• Mobile (Android and iOS) technologies
• Java Virtual Machine (JVM) and memory management
• Testing and debugging Java programs
• Relational databases with SQL
• Enterprise, commercial, and open-source projects

How to Write a Java Developer Job Description

Writing the perfect Java job description is essential to ensure that you can attract the top developers. It's also important to ensure that you set the proper expectations up-front to streamline the vetting process, saving everyone time and money.

Java Interview questions

When looking to hire a Java developer, consider asking some of the following interview questions:

• What is the purpose of public static void main in Java?
• How can you reverse an ArrayList?
• What is the difference between a public and a protected method?
• How can you deal with exceptions in Java?
• What is the difference between an exception and an error?
• When should you catch a RuntimeException?
• How do variable and method scoping work?
• When would you choose an abstract class instead of an interface?
• What are the different data types in Java?
• How can you remove whitespace in a string?
• What methods exist to sort an array in Java?

Freelance Java Developer Rates

The average salary for a Java developer is $103,319 per year in the United States. When hiring a Java freelancer, you can expect to pay $53.77 on average per hour. Java freelancer rates can range from $20-$100 per hour depending on the developer's experience, where they are located, their availability, and other programming languages required.

Check out our detailed pricing guide for more freelance developer rates.

Where to Hire a Java Developer – Top Websites

Where to find Java developers will ultimately depend on a few factors. Consider product duration, developer experience, cost, and how much time you're willing to put into the hiring process.

Here are our top 2 favorite places to find Java developers.

Upstack

Best for the top programming talent

Upstack aims to elevate remote tech teams worldwide through dedicated freelance talent. They look for the best freelance talent by sourcing their developers from all over the world.

They deploy an 8 point hiring process to ensure their site users have access to the best candidates with top-notch developing skills, communication, and personalities. They offer talent in a diverse set of fields including Java, Python, iOS, and PHP.

They’ve worked for big-name brands like Microsoft and Lego. However, Upstack has a diverse talent pool that’s highly scalable depending on the size and scope of your business.

Visit Upstack

Read our Upstack Review.

Fiverr

Best for small projects and gigs

As one of the largest freelancing job boards on the web, Fiverr is a proven platform for connecting with prospective freelancers. The site aims to streamline the process of connecting developers with clients in a way that’s efficient for both sides.

You can contact a developer by selecting their profile if you think you’ve found a good fit. Once the terms for a project has been finalized, clients pay the developer upfront. You have about three days to read over the finished product and decide whether to accept a project submission or reject it to get a refund.

Clients look through the site’s list of freelance developers by using its robust filter tools to find the right fit. You can filter developers based on their price range, body of work, and much more.

Fiverr is great for finding developers with a specific niche, as the site has categories for practically any type of development service. For example, if you click on the mobile application development link, it’ll let you sift through candidates based on even more specific guidelines, such as custom app development or web-to-app conversions.

Visit Fiverr

Read Our Review on Fiverr

If you still want more ideas, here’s a full list of the best freelance websites for developers.

Developer Hiring Guides

If you are looking for other types of technical talent, we’ve put together hiring guides for these technologies as well.

FAQs

Where can I find a Java developer?

There are many places where you can find and hire a Java developer online. If you're looking for a full-time developer, you can try popular job boards like Indeed and LinkedIn. For the best freelancers, consider using a remote hiring platform focused on placing programmers like Upstack or Toptal. You can also find Java developers on general freelancing marketplaces like Upwork and Fiverr.

How much does it cost to hire a Java developer?

The average salary for a Java developer is $103,319 per year in the United States. When hiring a Java freelancer, you can expect to pay $53.77 on average per hour. Java freelancer rates can range from $20-$100 per hour depending on the developer's experience, where they are located, their availability, and other programming languages required.

What are the most important skills to look for in a Java developer?

There are many skills that a Java developer needs to know. They should be familiar with object-oriented programming, which includes creating classes and inheritance. They should also know how to store and use data within desktop programs, and how to create a user interface in Java.

What does a Java developer do?

To put it as simply as possible, a Java developer designs and develops software using the Java language. They will primarily create desktop applications for businesses, but will also need to optimize, refactor, test, and clean Java code.