- 1.Developer Advocates earn a median salary of $132,270 with 17% projected growth (BLS, 2025)
- 2.Developer Advocates occupy a unique position as 'two-way bridges'—representing developer needs internally while also evangelizing products externally. Unlike traditional marketing, DevRel focuses on authentic community building and technical education. The role requires genuine empathy for developers combined with the ability to create scalable technical content.
- 3.Software engineers who enjoy teaching, public speaking, and community engagement. Ideal for those who prefer variety over deep coding, want to travel and speak at conferences, and are passionate about helping other developers succeed. Requires comfort being the 'face' of a product to the developer community.
- 4.Daily work involves diverse technical and collaborative tasks
- 5.Top states: California ($178,565), New York ($152,111), Massachusetts ($148,142)
What Is a Developer Advocate?
Developer Advocates serve as a bridge between a company's developer tools and the external developer community. They advocate for developers within the company while also advocating for the company's products to developers. The role combines technical expertise with community engagement, content creation, and public speaking to help developers succeed with a product.
What makes this role unique: Developer Advocates occupy a unique position as 'two-way bridges'—representing developer needs internally while also evangelizing products externally. Unlike traditional marketing, DevRel focuses on authentic community building and technical education. The role requires genuine empathy for developers combined with the ability to create scalable technical content.
Best suited for: Software engineers who enjoy teaching, public speaking, and community engagement. Ideal for those who prefer variety over deep coding, want to travel and speak at conferences, and are passionate about helping other developers succeed. Requires comfort being the 'face' of a product to the developer community.
With 1,656,880 professionals employed nationwide and 17% projected growth, this is a strong career choice. Explore Computer Science degree programs to get started.
Developer Advocate
SOC 15-1252A Day in the Life of a Developer Advocate
A typical day for a developer advocate involves diverse responsibilities across different phases of work.
How to Become a Developer Advocate: Step-by-Step Guide
Total Time: 4 yearsChoose Your Entry Path
Select the educational path that fits your situation and learning style.
- Software Engineer transitioning to DevRel
- Technical Writer moving to community-facing role
- Support Engineer with community engagement experience
- Community Manager with technical background
Master Core Tools
Learn the essential tools and technologies for this role.
- Social Media Platforms: Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Dev
- Content Creation Tools: Blog platforms, video editing, presentation software
- GitHub: Hosting demos, contributing to open source, community engagement
- Programming Languages: Varies by product—JavaScript, Python, Go common across DevRel
Build Technical Skills
Develop proficiency in core concepts and patterns.
- Software Development (Critical): Strong coding background to build demos and understand developer needs
- Product Expertise (Critical): Deep knowledge of the product you're advocating for
- Multiple Programming Languages (High): Ability to work across languages developers use
- API & SDK Knowledge (High): Understanding how developers integrate products
Build Your Portfolio
Create projects that demonstrate your skills to employers.
- Complete this step to progress in your career
Advance Your Career
Progress through career levels by building experience and expertise.
- Junior/Associate Developer Advocate (0-2 years DevRel) - Learning the role
- Developer Advocate (2-5 years) - Independent contributor, regular speaking
- Senior Developer Advocate (5-8 years) - Leads initiatives, mentors juniors
- Staff/Principal Developer Advocate (8-12 years) - Sets strategy, thought leader
Developer Advocate Tools & Technologies
Essential Tools: Developer Advocates rely heavily on these core technologies:
- Social Media Platforms: Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Dev.to for community engagement
- Content Creation Tools: Blog platforms, video editing, presentation software
- GitHub: Hosting demos, contributing to open source, community engagement
- Programming Languages: Varies by product—JavaScript, Python, Go common across DevRel
- Streaming Tools: OBS, StreamYard for live coding and webinars
Also commonly used:
- Analytics Tools: Tracking content performance, community metrics
- Community Platforms: Discord, Slack, Stack Overflow for community management
- Documentation Tools: Building and improving product documentation
- Demo Deployment: Vercel, Codespaces, Replit for quick demo deployment
- Presentation Tools: Keynote, PowerPoint, Figma for conference talks
Emerging technologies to watch:
- AI Content Tools: Using AI for content drafts, summarizing community sentiment
- Interactive Tutorials: Platforms for hands-on learning experiences
- Video/Podcast Production: Higher production value multimedia content
- Community Analytics AI: Tools to analyze community health and sentiment at scale
Developer Advocate Skills: Technical & Soft
Successful developer advocates combine technical competencies with interpersonal skills.
Technical Skills
Strong coding background to build demos and understand developer needs
Deep knowledge of the product you're advocating for
Ability to work across languages developers use
Understanding how developers integrate products
Creating compelling demonstrations and sample code
Clear documentation and tutorial writing
Soft Skills
Listed as top DevRel skill—understanding developer struggles and needs
Explaining complex concepts clearly in writing and speaking
Presenting at conferences, webinars, and workshops
Creating authentic relationships with developer communities
Developer Advocate Certifications
Certifications can increase your earning potential and demonstrate expertise to employers.
Building Your Portfolio
Must-have portfolio projects:
- See detailed requirements in the sections above
Developer Advocate Interview Preparation
Common technical questions:
- See detailed requirements in the sections above
Behavioral questions to prepare for:
- See detailed requirements in the sections above
Developer Advocate Career Challenges & Realities
Like any career, developer advocates face unique challenges in their daily work.
Developer Advocate vs Similar Roles
Developer Advocate vs Technical Writer:
Developer Advocate vs Product Marketing:
Developer Advocate vs Solutions Engineer:
Salary Negotiation Tips
Research market rates and be prepared to demonstrate your value during salary negotiations.
Developer Advocate Salary by State
Developer Advocate Job Outlook & Industry Trends
DevRel remains viable as companies become developer-first. Market stabilizing after 2022-2024 slowdown. AI reshaping the role but cannot replace human connection and trust. Companies increasingly value advocates who can demonstrate business impact through community metrics.
Hot industries hiring developer advocates: AI/ML Companies - Skilling developers on AI tools is a major focus, Cloud Platforms - AWS, GCP, Azure maintain large DevRel teams, Developer Tools - Companies building for developers prioritize DevRel, Web3/Crypto - Emerging space with growing DevRel presence, Open Source Companies - Community engagement is core to business model
Emerging trends: AI-Assisted DevRel - Using AI for content drafts, sentiment analysis, Developer Experience Focus - DX becoming distinct from marketing-led DevRel, Video-First Content - YouTube, live streaming increasingly important, Community-Led Growth - DevRel driving product adoption over paid marketing
Best Computer Science Programs
Explore top-ranked programs to launch your developer advocate career.
Coding Bootcamps: An Alternative Pathway
Coding bootcamps offer an accelerated pathway into tech careers. For those considering alternatives to traditional degrees, here's what you need to know about this intensive learning format.
What is a Coding Bootcamp?
A coding bootcamp is an intensive, short-term training program (typically 12-24 weeks) that teaches practical programming skills through hands-on projects. Unlike traditional degrees, bootcamps focus exclusively on job-ready skills and often include career services to help graduates land their first tech role.
Who Bootcamps Are Best For
- Career changers looking to enter tech quickly
- Professionals wanting to upskill or transition roles
- Self-taught developers seeking structured training
- Those unable to commit to a 4-year degree timeline
What People Love
Based on discussions from r/codingbootcamp, r/cscareerquestions, and r/learnprogramming
- Fast-track to employment—many graduates land jobs within 3-6 months
- Hands-on, project-based learning builds real portfolio pieces
- Career services and interview prep included in most programs
- Strong alumni networks for job referrals and mentorship
- Structured curriculum keeps you accountable and on track
Common Concerns
Honest feedback from bootcamp graduates and industry professionals
- Intense pace can be overwhelming—expect 60-80 hour weeks
- Some employers still prefer traditional CS degrees for certain roles
- Quality varies widely between programs—research carefully
- Job placement stats can be misleading—ask for CIRR audited reports
- May lack depth in computer science fundamentals like algorithms
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Programs for Tech careers:
- Software Engineering Career Track
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More Bootcamp Resources
Developer Advocate FAQs
Data Sources
Official employment and wage data for developer advocates
Research and industry insights
Research and industry insights
Research and industry insights
Research and industry insights
Research and industry insights
Related Resources
Taylor Rupe
Co-founder & Editor (B.S. Computer Science, Oregon State • B.A. Psychology, University of Washington)
Taylor combines technical expertise in computer science with a deep understanding of human behavior and learning. His dual background drives Hakia's mission: leveraging technology to build authoritative educational resources that help people make better decisions about their academic and career paths.