Becoming a ServiceNow Developer: A Career Guide for 2025

In today’s digital-first world, businesses are racing to streamline operations and automate functions. At the lead of that charge is ServiceNow, a powerful cloud-based IT Service Management (ITSM), enterprise operations, and more platform. At the center of this revolution? The ServiceNow Developer.

What is a ServiceNow Developer?

A ServiceNow Developer is a technical professional who designs, builds, and customises the processes and applications on the ServiceNow platform. Their main responsibility is to automate operations, integrate systems, and ensure smooth digital operations between departments like IT, HR, security, and customer service.

What Do ServiceNow Developers Do?

Their work goes far beyond ticket resolution. This is an overview of what they typically include:

• Custom App Development: Build custom applications on the Now Platform using JavaScript and low-code capabilities.
• Workflow Automation: Automate business processes with Flow Designer, Business Rules, and Script Includes.
• Platform Configuration: Configure tables, forms, roles, and security controls according to the organisation’s needs.
• Integrations: Integrate ServiceNow with other applications using REST, SOAP, and other APIs.
• Maintenance & Optimisation: Monitor system performance, apply patches, and optimise existing implementations.

Core Skills Every ServiceNow Developer Needs

• JavaScript skill: JavaScript is used for most customisations and logic, particularly on the server side.
• Glide API Knowledge: ServiceNow’s native API for automation and scripting.
• ServiceNow Studio & Flow Designer: Application development tools for authoring, testing, and deploying.
• ITIL Understanding: ITIL best practices are vital knowledge, particularly in ITSM environments.
• Problem-Solving: Ability to evaluate and improve complex workflows and processes.

Popular Modules & Specialisations

ServiceNow Developers may specialise in:

• ITSM (IT Service Management)
• ITOM (Operations Management)
• SecOps (Security Operations)
• HR Service Delivery
• Customer Service Management (CSM)

How to Get Started as a ServiceNow Developer?

• Sign Up for the ServiceNow Developer Website: Gain access to free learning materials and your own development instance.
• Full Learning Plans & Hands-On Labs: Admin and Developer tracks are highlighted.
• Get Certified: Start with Certified System Administrator (CSA) and progress to Certified Application Developer (CAD).
• Practice Creating Apps: Try creating small apps or customising modules in your dev instance.
• Join the Community: Participate in forums, events, and local user groups.

Career Outlook

• Great Demand: With digitalisation accelerating, ServiceNow Developers are in high demand across all sectors.
• High-paying Salaries: Pay usually is between $80,000 and $140,000+ based on location and experience.
• Flexible Work: Many of these positions offer remote or hybrid work arrangements since the platform is cloud-based.

Final Thoughts

Being a ServiceNow Developer in 2025 is not just learning a platform—being a part of the solution to transform the way organisations operate. If you’re making a mid-career switch from legacy IT or starting tech for the first time, ServiceNow offers a stable, future-resistant career path.