How to Become an Augmented Reality Developer

Written by Coursera Staff • Updated on

Augmented reality developers use AR to create immersive experiences blending digital media with the real world. Explore the role of an AR developer and learn the skills and education that will help you begin your career.

[Featured Image] A physician wearing augmented reality glasses, a white lab coat, and a stethoscope studies a DNA model.

As an augmented reality (AR) developer, you will develop software programs that allow users to have immersive experiences using augmented reality technology. As a software developer specializing in AR, you will be entering a growing career field with use cases in industries from health care to retail to education and more. 

Learn more about augmented reality developers and how to become one, including the education, certification, and skills you’ll need to be successful. Explore the average salary and job look in the industry as well. 

What is augmented reality?

Augmented reality is a technology where digital information is overlaid against real-world objects, allowing users to engage with digital content while still feeling rooted in reality. This is in contrast to virtual reality, where users fully immerse their senses as they leave the real world and enter a fully digital space. On the other hand, augmented reality allows you to access digital information in your physical reality. This can be used for various purposes, such as entertainment, performing your work more effectively, or deciding whether a new piece of furniture fits the color scheme of your living room.

What does an augmented reality developer do?

As an augmented reality developer, you will be a software developer specializing in immersive AR experiences. In this role, you will use development frameworks and hardware like head-mounted displays or devices that provide haptic feedback to create a 3D experience that overlays digital information onto what the user can see in the real world. The AR content responds in real-time as users move around or otherwise interact with real and digital objects. 

In this role, you may also work with virtual reality, which is fully immersive digital content in which the user feels transported outside the real world. Additionally, you may work in mixed reality, a combination of digital and physical elements. 

Read more: AR Job Description: Exploring Careers in Augmented Reality

Tasks and responsibilities

Some common tasks you may be responsible for as an augmented reality developer include: 

  • Plan and design AR programs, including the tools you’ll use to create the program

  • Model how components of an AR program will come together in a cohesive experience

  • Work with programmers and other team members to create and build AR applications

  • Perform testing and quality assurance 

  • Conduct ongoing maintenance of AR applications

AR developer job outlook and salary

According to Glassdoor, the average base salary of an augmented reality developer in the United States is $108,790 [1]. In addition to base pay, software developers earn additional pay like bonuses and commissions, totaling an average of $34,895. This brings the total average AR developer salary to $143,685. 

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that software developer jobs will grow 17 percent from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the 4 percent average growth rate for all occupations [2]. Augmented reality, along with artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, automation, and cybersecurity, will propel this growth.

Read more: 5 Augmented Reality Careers

How to become an AR developer

To become an AR developer, you will want to start by earning your bachelor’s degree in computer science, then specialize in augmented reality and take additional courses or complete certification as needed to learn relevant skills. Next, you can build your portfolio with hands-on projects to help you demonstrate your competencies to potential employers. 

Step 1: Gain a strong foundation in computer science.

To start an augmented reality developer career, you will want to consider a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. Although you can explore nontraditional paths to becoming a software developer, a bachelor’s degree is one way to help you learn many of the skills you’ll need to be successful in the field. This degree can also offer you a well-rounded education to apply to other aspects of computer science.

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Step 2: Specialize in AR development and build a portfolio.

Your next step is to specialize in AR development by building skills in augmented reality and demonstrating your competencies through portfolio projects or other development experience. Earning a bachelor’s degree in computer science can help you learn foundational skills to apply to many different careers. To find a job as an augmented reality developer, you may find it helpful to express your unique career goals through your portfolio and certifications, such as by demonstrating your 3D modeling, spatial computing, and advanced coding skills. 

One way for you to specialize in AR is to feature AR projects in your portfolio. A portfolio is a great way to demonstrate to potential employers your capabilities and competencies. By focusing on augmented reality projects, you can designate yourself as a software developer specializing in AR technology. You can also contribute to open-source projects and participate in hackathons to gain experience you can note on your resume. 

Step 3: Consider certification.

Certification, especially if you elect to take a nontraditional education path, can help you demonstrate your competence in the skills required to succeed as an augmented reality developer. Certification can also help you fill in gaps and strengthen your knowledge base in your chosen specialization. Two certifications to choose from include: 

You could also consider a professional certificate to learn new skills and set yourself apart from other applicants. For example, you might enroll in the Meta AR Developer Professional Certificate on Coursera to gain skills using tools like Unity, Spark AR, and Playcanvas.

Required skills for an augmented reality developer

To become an augmented reality developer, you will want a mix of software development, augmented reality, and workplace skills. Explore topics in each of these categories to help direct your education. 

Software development skills: 

  • Programming languages: Consider learning JavaScript, Linux, Perl, Java, Ruby, PHP, C, or C++. 

  • The software engineering process: Become familiar with the steps involved in planning and creating a software program. 

  • Data structures and algorithms: Understand how to store and manipulate data with data structures and algorithms. 

  • Git, source code, and version control: Get experience working with version control systems and branching code from source code. 

AR/VR skills: 

  • 3D modeling: Understand the concept of creating 3D models. 

  • Spatial computing: Develop skills in spatial computing, or computing that involve three-dimensional space. 

  • Animation and design tools: Understand how to use tools like Blender and 3DS Max.

  • AR devices: Learn how AR devices like head-mounted displays or handheld controllers work with AR programs.  

  • ARkit: Get experience using frameworks like ARkit for Apple projects and ARCore for Android projects.  

Workplace skills:

  • Communication and collaboration: You will often work with other professionals, so you will want to develop strong communication and collaboration skills to work well in a team.

 

  • Analytical thinking: You will need analytical thinking to ensure that pieces of your project fit together as they should and to manage challenges as they occur. 

  • Problem-solving: You will want problem-solving skills both to develop software solutions to problems and to manage challenges that arise within the development process. 

Augmented reality developer career path

You may start your career as an AR developer or gain experience in a junior position, such as working as a programmer on a larger team of AR development professionals. As AR has use cases in many industries, you may be able to position yourself as a specialist adapting the technology in your field, such as health care or education. You may also advance in your career by taking on a leadership position such as team lead or augmented reality project manager. 

Start a career as an AR developer on Coursera

As an AR developer, you can create AR applications and solutions in many industries, from creating immersive and engaging games to producing enhanced learning experiences. You can start building AR knowledge on Coursera. You might begin an Extended Reality for Everybody Specialization offered by the University of Michigan, which covers all things augmented, virtual, and mixed reality.

Article sources

1

Glassdoor. “Salary: Augmented Reality Developer in the United States, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/augmented-reality-software-developer-salary-SRCH_KO0,36.htm.” Accessed February 5, 2025. 

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