What is a ServiceNow Developer? A comprehensive guide 

Go on LinkedIn or Indeed, and you’ll find several listings for ServiceNow Developer jobs worldwide. ServiceNow is a burgeoning platform that has exceeded market expectations by posting a total revenue of $3.4 billion, up 22% from the same period last year.  

That is why there is a high demand for the role of a ServiceNow Developer, who is a key member of managing the platform. ServiceNow Developers design, develop, and maintain the different ServiceNow services and apps. They are the point-of-contact between IT teams and stakeholders in organizations that use the ServiceNow platform.  

If you’re a software developer who loves automating things, ServiceNow development is a promising career for you in 2026.  

This blog is your go-to guide on how to become a ServiceNow Developer. It will cover everything, from the role of a ServiceNow Developer to the essential ServiceNow Developer skills and career prospects in this field.  

What is ServiceNow? 

ServiceNow is a cloud-based digital workflow automation platform. There are over a dozen ServiceNow modules, which companies use to automate various business processes, such as: 

• ServiceNow ITSM 
• ServiceNow ITBM 
• ServiceNow HRSD 

All of ServiceNow’s products are built into the Now Platform. It is a unified platform to access ServiceNow offerings through a single source.  

What does a ServiceNow Developer do? 

A ServiceNow Developer is a professional who builds and customizes various solutions on the ServiceNow platform. The developer is someone who designs, codes, and troubleshoots challenges in ServiceNow applications and technologies.  

Concomitantly, that requires a ServiceNow Developer to work with upper management to gather business goals and create technical solutions to achieve them. 

ServiceNow Developer roles and responsibilities 

A ServiceNow Developer’s work goes beyond just coding. Yes, they are software developers basically, but they wear many hats. They are also problem solvers, platform architects, and above all, excellent communicators.  

Here is what a day in the life of a ServiceNow Developer looks like: 

1. Application development 

The first thing that you’ll see on any ServiceNow Developer job description is custom application development. Despite the extensive network of built-in apps, businesses require custom ServiceNow apps to automate their unique workflows. 

ServiceNow Developers build or customize apps or components on the Now Platform using platform-specific tools and scripting. 

2. Process automation 

Although ServiceNow is entering into other ventures like ServiceNow CRM is expected to challenge the supremacy of Salesforce, workflow automation remains the platform’s forte and the reason why enterprises choose ServiceNow, so far. ServiceNow Developers design flows to automate tasks, approvals, reminders, and all other repetitive tasks that require manual effort.  

For example, a developer can design a workflow in ServiceNow ITSM to automatically read and route thousands of support tickets daily. This will save the service team quite a lot of time that can be spent more productively elsewhere, including on their work-life balance.  

3. Platform maintenance 

ServiceNow releases two major updates each year, namely the Vancouver and Washington, D.C. updates. These updates can cause existing apps and customizations to crash due to changes in the platform. Here, a ServiceNow Developer often works in tandem with ServiceNow Admins to ensure everything keeps working as usual.  

Administrators maintain many of the important routine functions, but it is the developer who is responsible for the platform’s overall health. A ServiceNow Developer fixes anything that breaks and properly installs upgrades or patches for secure and reliable transformation. 

4. Integration development 

Developing and managing ServiceNow integration with other enterprise software like PLM, CRM, and ERP is an important part of a ServiceNow Developer’s job. The developer must make sure that different platforms can smoothly exchange data with ServiceNow, whether it’s through built-in features or some middleware software. 

5. Training and collaboration 

“The world works with ServiceNow” is the company’s slogan. And it’s not really far-fetched to say, because people from all backgrounds use it in different business settings. That is why people reach out to ServiceNow consulting companies to automate various processes. Therefore, a ServiceNow Developer is also expected to train technical and non-technical users within the organization on how to use the platform. 

This can involve conducting training sessions, answering queries, and preparing documentation so everyone knows what goes where.  

Essential ServiceNow Developer skills to have 

Skills pay your bills as a ServiceNow application developer. There are certain skills that you need to master if you want to excel in your ServiceNow career.  

The following ServiceNow Developer skills, both hard and soft, are essential to land a job anywhere in the world. 

1. Hard skills 

As mentioned earlier, this is basically a software development role. That is why these technical skills will appear in ServiceNow Developer interview questions, anywhere you go. 

• A developer must know the ServiceNow platform like the back of their hand. Developers must be able to navigate the user interface and know how to use ServiceNow Studio, UI Builder, and other built-in tools.  
• “Fluency” in JavaScript. It is the primary scripting language used in ServiceNow. 
• Experience with Glide, which is a set of JavaScript-based APIs. It is the primary way to interact with the database and is fundamental to ServiceNow development.  
• Expertise in using web technologies like HTML, CSS, and XML. ServiceNow is fundamentally a web-based platform that delivers through standard web technologies. Familiarity with other web development tools like .NET and AJAX is a plus. 
• Knowledge of ITSM and ITIL processes and best practices.  
• Fully proficient in using REST and SOAP APIs to integrate ServiceNow with other systems 
• A strong understanding of Agile or Scrum methodologies is crucial because most situations require DevOps-like workflows for ServiceNow. 
• ServiceNow relies heavily on structured data. Therefore, a ServiceNow Developer must know data management using SQL and MySQL.  

2. Soft skills 

A ServiceNow Developer must also have these non-technical skills, even if they aren’t explicitly mentioned in the job description.  

• Communication skills are a given because ServiceNow developers work closely with business analysts, process owners, and end users. They must be able to clearly communicate technical concepts to non-technical audiences. 
• Analytical and problem-solving skills are a ServiceNow Developer’s trump card. Anytime they get struck in a ServiceNow project, they need to go into Sherlock mode to find the root cause and troubleshoot issues.  
• ServiceNow Developers must be excellent at project and time management. That means meeting deadlines, avoiding delays, and prioritizing tasks based on their importance.  
• Remote ServiceNow Developer jobs are quite popular. That is why a developer should have the ability and discipline to work independently whenever it is required.  
• Employers don’t look for an MBA when they hire ServiceNow Developers, but having a rudimentary understanding of business concepts wouldn’t hurt. 

How to become a ServiceNow Developer 

Becoming a ServiceNow certified application developer is not rocket science, but it’s not a walk in the park either. To become a ServiceNow Developer and actually land a job, you’ll need to put in effort, time, and the ability to learn new things.  

Do you need a degree? 

We’re not going to beat around the bush. Yes, some employers do require ServiceNow Developers to have a background in computer science or IT degrees. These degrees equip you with the foundational knowledge that you’ll use a lot in your job.  

However, if going back to college is not an option for you, ServiceNow Developer Certification is your rite of passage in this field. You’ll need to get certified anyway, even with a degree, but without a degree, the entry barriers just become higher. To make up for your lack of formal education, you’ll need to back up your certification with work experience.   

We’ll explain all of that in this step-by-step roadmap on how to become a ServiceNow Developer. 

1. Grasp the basics of ServiceNow 

Your ServiceNow Developer training begins by completely immersing yourself in the platform. Understand what ServiceNow is used for, its different modules, the Now Platform structure, navigation, and any supporting material that is relevant.  

We recommended YouTube to learn about the basics. And if you want more first-hand knowledge, then the ServiceNow Community is an excellent platform to get started.  

2. Learn how to code 

You might have noticed that you’ll be doing a lot of programming in this role. Therefore, learn how to code. It is now easier than ever before with AI-powered vibe coding. Enroll in a coding bootcamp, do a free course online, or just play around with any language. Anything to get you hooked.  

3. Join ServiceNow University 

ServiceNow University is the platform’s official learning hub for anything ServiceNow-related. We recommend that, before getting into development, you try to complete as many Career Journey paths.   

They teach you different aspects of the platform through interactive and brainstorming activities, which extend beyond development. Moreover, it also opens other ServiceNow careers if you feel that development isn’t for you.   

But do remember that completing a Career Journey path won’t earn you a certification. You’ll need to study the relevant course and pass an exam for that.  

4. Create a ServiceNow Developer account 

Go to developer.servicenow.com to create a free ServiceNow developer instance. Your ServiceNow personal developer instance is your sandbox where you can practice your development skills using the platform.  

It lets you learn, practice, build, and test applications without breaking anything. In fact, we recommend that you try to break things and fix them on your own.  

5. ServiceNow certification 

Certifications boost your credibility. You can begin your ServiceNow certification by logging into ServiceNow University. You’ll find all the essential learning material and guidance on how to become a certified professional.  

The more certifications you have, the stronger your ServiceNow Developer resume will be. ServiceNow Certified Application Developer (CAD) is the official credential you need to break into development. However, ServiceNow Certified System Administrator (CSA) is a prerequisite to get into more advanced courses like CAD. So, you need to pass both CSA and CAD.  

These are some additional Certified Implementation Specialist (CIS) courses that’ll make you stand out: 

• ServiceNow CIS – IT Service Management 
• ServiceNow CIS – HRSD 
• ServiceNow CIS – Discovery 

6. Get hands-on experience 

Truth be told, certification in any field is just a way of saying that you’re not a complete noob. You’ll need to build real-world projects to convince employers that you can handle their ServiceNow platform.  

And the best way to get hands-on experience is by building independent projects, contributing to the developer community, and practicing on your ServiceNow personal developer instance. 

Look out for internship opportunities and apply for ServiceNow jobs on LinkedIn or Indeed. Even if you don’t qualify, apply for any opportunity that comes your way.  

What is the ServiceNow Developer certification cost and format? 

Now, let’s understand the ServiceNow certification framework, including how much you’ll have to pay and how to appear in the exam.  

Here is the cost breakdown of certifications: 

Training is a requirement for all ServiceNow certifications. If you are working with any ServiceNow partner company, then you can get ServiceNow training for free. Otherwise, you’ll have to pay an additional $300 yourself plus taxes. So, the average ServiceNow Developer certification cost can be around $300–$700.  

And regarding how the exams are conducted, here is a brief overview: 

• All exams are web-proctored or conducted onsite at a testing center. 
• There is no official information on the number of questions and time, but third-party sources estimate around 60 MCQs that you need to solve in 90 minutes. 
• The passing score is also estimated at 70%. 

Average ServiceNow Developer salary in the USA 

You’ll probably be wondering about the ROI of this investment. The average ServiceNow Developer salary in the United States starts at around $65,000 if you have the necessary certifications but don’t have any prior development experience.   

With some background in development, you can get a starting pay of $70,000–$80,000. Glassdoor puts the average annual salary of a ServiceNow Developer between $99K – $151K in the USA.   

ServiceNow developer remote jobs can pay more or less, depending on your employer.  

Conclusion 

ServiceNow is poised to be a big name in Silicon Valley. The platform aims to automate business workflows using AI technologies. With the sheer number of ServiceNow modules available, it is possible for companies to run their entire enterprise on the platform. 

And a ServiceNow Developer is the helmsman who helps you steer towards that change. Astute ServiceNow application developers have abilities in platform administration, development, and management to develop solutions that deliver real business value using ServiceNow technologies.  

Xavor offers expert ServiceNow development services designed to help you simplify processes using the ServiceNow platform in any industry.  

Connect with Xavor today at (email protected) to move your organization forward with solutions built to work the way you do.