DEV Community

Cover image for How to Hire Dedicated .NET Developers
Abto Software
Abto Software

Posted on • Edited on

1 1 1 1 1

How to Hire Dedicated .NET Developers

This post is a quick overview of an Abto Software blog article about how to hire dedicated .NET developers.

When it comes to building robust, scalable, and secure applications, the .NET framework stands among the top choices for businesses worldwide. Whether it’s a web platform, a mobile app, or a desktop solution, .NET delivers unmatched performance, flexibility, and long-term stability.

But here’s the tricky part: hiring the right .NET developer. Your project’s success hinges on finding someone with the right skills, experience, and approach. With thousands of candidates available, making the right call is overwhelming. You need to consider skills, location, time zones, costs, and cultural fit.

Don’t panic. We’ve put together the ultimate guide to hiring dedicated .NET developers – covering skills, responsibilities, costs, and best practices.

What is dedicated .NET development?

A dedicated .NET development model means hiring professionals (or an entire team) focused exclusively on your project. Unlike freelancers who juggle multiple clients, a dedicated developer works as an extension of your team.

This approach is ideal when:

  • You need long-term collaboration for a complex solution
  • You require ongoing maintenance for a mission-critical app
  • You plan to migrate legacy apps to modern .NET platforms
  • You want cost efficiency without sacrificing quality

Essential skills for a .NET developer

A high-performing .NET engineer needs a versatile skill set. Here’s what to look for:

1. Backend development expertise

The backend is where the heavy lifting happens. Your developer must handle business logic, database transactions, and server performance with precision.

Core backend skills include:

  • ASP.NET Core fundamentals: Dependency Injection, Middleware Pipeline, Routing, Model Binding & Validation

  • API Design: RESTful architecture, versioning, pagination, JSON/XML serialization

  • Error Handling: Exception strategies, custom responses, structured logging

  • Caching: In-memory & distributed caching, expiration policies

  • Authentication & Authorization: OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect, Two-Factor Authentication

  • Monitoring: Logging frameworks (Serilog, NLog), performance dashboards (Prometheus, Grafana)

2. Frontend skills (for full-stack roles)

While .NET developers are often backend-focused, full-stack engineers should master the presentation layer too.

Important frontend skills:

  • Razor Pages & Views (Layouts, Partials, Customization)

  • Blazor Components (State Management, Event Handling)

  • JavaScript ES6+, async/await, DOM manipulation

  • CSS & UI frameworks for responsive design

  • Integration with modern frameworks (React, Angular, Vue)

3. Cloud platform proficiency

Most modern .NET apps are hosted on Microsoft Azure. Developers should know:

  • App Service deployment

  • Containerization with Docker & Kubernetes

  • CI/CD pipelines using Azure DevOps

  • Scaling strategies for high-traffic apps

4. Microservices architecture

.NET is perfect for microservices. Developers should understand:

  • Building loosely coupled services

  • Using gRPC and REST APIs

  • Implementing service discovery and load balancing

5. Data management & ORM

Strong knowledge of SQL and NoSQL databases is essential. Must-know concepts include:

  • LINQ queries

  • EF Core migrations

  • Database normalization & optimization

6. Asynchronous programming

Performance matters! Async programming ensures smooth operations during high load scenarios.

7. Dependency Injection & Design Patterns

Clean, modular code = maintainability. DI and SOLID principles are key to enterprise-grade applications.

Key responsibilities of a .NET developer

What will your .NET developer actually do? Here’s a breakdown:

Backend development

  • Implement APIs for client-server communication

  • Manage user authentication & security

  • Optimize server performance

  • Handle business logic & database interactions

Frontend development (for full-stack roles)

  • Create dynamic UIs with Blazor or integrate with React/Angular

  • Manage client-side logic & performance

  • Ensure cross-browser compatibility

Testing & QA

  • Unit & Integration Testing

  • Bug reporting & regression checks

  • Performance benchmarks

Deployment & Maintenance

  • Automate deployment pipelines

  • Monitor app health using tools like Application Insights

  • Provide continuous updates & patches

How to hire dedicated .NET developers

Step 1: Preliminary screening

Check:

  • Technical expertise in ASP.NET Core, MVC, Azure
  • Portfolio of real projects
  • Communication skills

Step 2: Technical interview

Include:

  • Practical coding tests

  • Problem-solving scenarios

  • Knowledge of cloud and security best practices

Step 3: Align goals

Discuss:

  • Project objectives

  • Timelines & budgets

  • Roles & reporting

Step 4: Finalize & onboard

Pick the candidate who fits your technical and cultural expectations.

Where to find .NET developers?

Option Best For Pros Cons
Freelance sites Short-term projects Cost-effective, flexible Limited commitment, quality risk
Professional agencies Long-term, complex apps Pre-vetted talent, faster onboarding Higher cost

Cost of hiring .NET developers

Per year Per month Per hour
Indeed $125,623 $8,894 $69.97
ZipRecruiter $111,761 $9,313 $54
Talent.com $109,865 $9,155 $52.82

And what .NET developers in the United States can make in accordance to experience:

Junior developer Middle developer Senior developer
Indeed $77,947 $123,481 $195,616
ZipRecruiter $92,000 $109,063 $125,500
Talent.com $92,556 $107,448 $136,500

But what about rates across regions?

Average salary per year
North America $55,000 – $100,000
South America $15,750 – $27,750
Western Europe $44,500 – $88,500
Eastern Europe $21,000 – $49,500
Asia $37,000 – $65,000
Africa $15,000 – $27,000

As stated by CloudDevs

And skills, do they matter too?

Average salary per year
ASP.NET MVC $85,000 – $150,000
VB.NET $85,000 – $140,00
Xamarin $85,000 – $145,000
jQuery $75,000 – $130,000
C# $80,000 – $135,000
PHP $70,000 – $125,000
JavaScript $80,000 – $140,000
HTML/CSS $70,000 – $120,000
SQL $80,000 – $130,000
Bootstrap $75,000 – $130,000

As stated by CloudDevs

How Abto Software can help

With 18 years of expertise in .NET development, Abto Software offers end-to-end services tailored to your needs. Whether modernizing legacy systems, building new applications, or scaling existing solutions, we handle every stage—from discovery to deployment.

Our Services

Our Expertise

Heroku

The AI PaaS for deploying, managing, and scaling apps.

Heroku tackles the toil — patching and upgrading, 24/7 ops and security, build systems, failovers, and more. Stay focused on building great data-driven applications.

Get Started

Top comments (1)

Collapse
 
kirs10jacks profile image
kirsten Jacks

Here is a pro tip on hiring .NET developer:

Prioritize Problem-Solving Skills Over Technical Skills Alone.

While a strong grasp of .NET technologies (like ASP.NET, .NET Core, and MVC) is essential, the real value lies in the developer's ability to understand and solve complex business problems.
During the hiring process:

Focus on Practical Tests:
Evaluate Communication Skills:
Ask About Past Projects:
Check for Versatility:

MongoDB Atlas runs apps anywhere. Try it now.

MongoDB Atlas runs apps anywhere. Try it now.

MongoDB Atlas lets you build and run modern apps anywhere—across AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. With availability in 115+ regions, deploy near users, meet compliance, and scale confidently worldwide.

Start Free

👋 Kindness is contagious

Take a moment to explore this thoughtful article, beloved by the supportive DEV Community. Coders of every background are invited to share and elevate our collective know-how.

A heartfelt "thank you" can brighten someone's day—leave your appreciation below!

On DEV, sharing knowledge smooths our journey and tightens our community bonds. Enjoyed this? A quick thank you to the author is hugely appreciated.

Okay