Everything You Need to Know to Become an RPA Developer in 2024

ByPaul Christiano Last Update on

Are you considering a career shift into the world of Robotic Process Automation (RPA)? Do you want to leverage your technical skills to automate business processes and drive digital transformation? If so, becoming an RPA developer may be a great choice in 2024 and beyond.

In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll give you all the key facts, insights, and steps you need to go from RPA beginner to full-fledged developer. You‘ll learn:

  • What an RPA developer is and does
  • Why RPA developer is one of the hottest roles
  • The exact skills you need to succeed
  • How to get started and advance your skills
  • Where to find developer jobs and get hired

By the end of this guide, you‘ll have clarity on how to transition into the fast-growing RPA field.

What Does an RPA Developer Do?

RPA developers design, build, test and maintain software robots and automations.

More specifically, typical RPA developer responsibilities include:

  • Analyzing – Study current human-driven processes. Document tasks, inputs, outputs, and pain points.
  • Developing – Create software bots that mimic employee actions. Code the software logic and interactions.
  • Integrating – Connect bots to company systems like ERPs and CRMs via APIs. Ensure smooth data transfer.
  • Testing – Run trials to confirm bots function properly before deployment. Identify and fix problems.
  • Deploying – Get bots live to start reaping automation benefits. Provide support during the transition.
  • Optimizing – Monitor performance. Enhance bots by adding new features, integrating AI, and speeding up processes.

For example, an RPA developer at a bank might create a bot that logs into multiple systems and copies customer data between them. This could replace several tedious manual steps done by employees.

Why Become an RPA Developer?

RPA developer is one of the most promising and in-demand technology roles for several reasons:

1. RPA Market Is Booming

The RPA software market is growing at a 32% rate annually and will reach $13 billion by 2027 according to Grand View Research. Top analyst firms like Gartner have identified RPA among the most transformational technologies for businesses.

This rapid growth and adoption is fueling huge demand for RPA developers. Most companies using RPA plan to hire more technical talent.

2. Technical Complexity Is Increasing

As RPA integrates with other advanced technologies like AI, the complexity of solutions continues rising. Developing these sophisticated automations requires strong programming skills.

"RPA solutions are incorporating more intelligence which is expanding the technical abilities needed by developers," explains Ron Schmelzer, Managing Partner at Cognilytica, a leading analyst firm.

3. Developer Supply Lags Demand

A 2021 study by Deloitte found that 76% of companies adopting RPA say lack of technical skills and resources is a barrier. There simply aren‘t enough qualified RPA developers to keep up with demand.

This talent shortage means it‘s an opportune time for those with some existing technical abilities to enter the RPA field.

4. Above-Average Salaries

While not the highest paid developer role, RPA salaries are generous, especially for junior roles. Payscale data shows RPA developers earn an average of $85,000 in the United States.

Given the surge in demand, analysts expect RPA developer wages to rise at an above-average pace.

5. Career Growth Potential

Today‘s junior RPA roles could be tomorrow‘s development team leads. Those gaining skills now will be well-positioned for advancement as the market matures.

Some RPA developers are also learning broader process automation and AI skills to spread their knowledge across technologies.

Skills You Need to Succeed as an RPA Developer

A mix of business and technical skills are required to excel as an RPA developer:

Process Analysis Abilities

  • Document processes and identify inefficiencies – Where are bottlenecks? Which parts are manual?
  • Discover root causes – Why are processes slow or broken? Bad design, tool limitations, lack of data?
  • Recommend solutions – Will RPA fix the issues? Or are other changes needed?

Technical Programming Skills

  • Basic coding like variables, loops, if/then logic
  • Web services like REST APIs
  • Querying data from databases
  • Scripting languages like Python or VBScript

Logical Thinking

  • Break down complex tasks into discrete steps
  • Define sequences of events and decision points – "If X, then do Y"
  • Handle exceptions when processes divert from the happy path

Testing & Debugging Diligence

  • Verify bots work as expected before deployment
  • Identify failure points and fix errors in logic
  • Retest fixes throughly to ensure quality

RPA Platform Expertise

  • Master one or more leading RPA tools like UiPath, Automation Anywhere, Blue Prism
  • Learn platform-specific techniques for integrating, deploying, and managing bots

How to Start Your RPA Developer Career

Follow these steps to launch your RPA developer career:

Choose an Initial RPA Platform

Research leading RPA platforms like UiPath, Automation Anywhere, and Blue Prism. Download a trial version of 1-2 tools that appeal based on language, tutorials, and community support.

If you know Python, explore options like PyXLL. For .NET or Java experience, UiPath and Automation Anywhere are good fits.

Complete Introductory Training

Once you‘ve selected a platform, take advantage of the vendor-provided training materials. These include documentation, sample projects, videos, and interactive modules that teach RPA concepts.

Aim to build basic bots that transfer data, read and write from files or databases, and execute simple workflow logic.

Join RPA Developer Forums & Communities

Engage other developers in communities like the UiPath Forum and Automation Anywhere Bot Building Forum. Read discussions to see common challenges faced. Ask questions when you get stuck.

Developer blogs and groups on LinkedIn are also helpful for exchanging tips and tricks. Comments and conversations will aid your learning.

Build Bots for Personal Use Cases

Practice by developing automations that benefit your own life, like transferring data between finance accounts or entering info into online forms.

Starting with personal bots allows you to get comfortable with a platform before coding complex enterprise bots. And it proves RPA‘s broad applicability.

Develop Reusable Components

Don‘t reinvent the wheel. As you code bots, package common steps into reusable libraries, workflows, and templates.

Distribute these through RPA vendor marketplaces to help others while showcasing your skills. For example, put Excel manipulation components on the UiPath Go! Marketplace.

Earn RPA Certifications

After several months of hands-on practice, pursue vendor-specific certifications like UiPath‘s Associate designation or Automation Anywhere‘s Certified Advanced Developer Exam.

Certs validate your expertise to employers. Preparing for them also sharpens your skills and exposes knowledge gaps.

Showcase Your Work

Create an online portfolio highlighting your RPA projects and experience. Include screenshots, videos, explanations of key techniques used, and outcomes delivered.

Numbers like process efficiency gains or ROI from automations make a big impact in demonstrating your capabilities.

Start Applying for RPA Developer Roles

Once you have 1-2 years of experience and preferably certifications, start actively applying for RPA development jobs. Target roles at software vendors, consultants, integrators and end-user companies.

It may take persistence to get that initial opportunity. Use each application and interview as a learning experience.

Level Up: Growing Your RPA Developer Expertise

Continuous skills development will elevate your RPA developer career. Consider these tips:

  • Learn multiple RPA platforms – Become fluent in tools from different vendors to expand your marketability
  • Develop integrations – Enhance bots with AI, analytics, and other emerging technologies
  • Publish tutorials – Teach others online to demonstrate your mastery and build authority
  • Attend conferences – Network, present, and engage the developer community
  • Earn advanced certifications – Reach the highest mastery like UiPath Architect status
  • Lead teams – Take on people management and project leadership roles
  • Stay on the cutting edge – Continue learning as RPA evolves and new related technologies arise

Time to Start Your RPA Developer Journey

The demand for RPA developers continues rising rapidly as companies deploy software bots across departments. Now is the perfect time to add RPA developer skills and embark on this career path.

I hope this guide provided you a clear understanding of what RPA developers do, why it‘s such an attractive role, and exactly how to get started. The next step is to choose a platform and dive into training.

Wishing you the best in launching your rewarding RPA developer career in 2024! Let me know if you have any other questions.

I am Paul Christiano, a fervent explorer at the intersection of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and their broader implications for society. Renowned as a leading figure in AI safety research, my passion lies in ensuring that the exponential powers of AI are harnessed for the greater good. Throughout my career, I've grappled with the challenges of aligning machine learning systems with human ethics and values. My work is driven by a belief that as AI becomes an even more integral part of our world, it's imperative to build systems that are transparent, trustworthy, and beneficial. I'm honored to be a part of the global effort to guide AI towards a future that prioritizes safety and the betterment of humanity.

Similar Posts