Are SharePoint Developers Still in Demand in 2025? The Definitive Answer for Tech Leaders

For years, whispers in the tech corridors have asked, "Is SharePoint dead?" It's a fair question for a platform that has been around since 2001.

But for CTOs, IT Directors, and hiring managers overseeing a sprawling Microsoft 365 ecosystem, the answer is a definitive no. The platform hasn't died; it has evolved. SharePoint is no longer just a tool for clunky on-premise intranets. It has transformed into the foundational content services layer for the entire Microsoft 365 suite, powering everything from Microsoft Teams file sharing to complex, custom business applications.

The question isn't whether you need SharePoint, but rather, do you have the right talent to unlock its immense, and often untapped, business value? In 2025, the demand for SharePoint developers isn't just alive-it's shifting, specializing, and becoming more critical than ever for organizations looking to maximize their Microsoft investment.

Key Takeaways

1. Demand is Strong, But Evolving: The need for SharePoint developers remains high, but the focus has shifted from legacy on-premise management to modern, cloud-based development using the SharePoint Framework (SPFx), Power Platform, and Microsoft Graph.
2. Central to Microsoft 365 ROI: SharePoint is the backbone for content management in Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, and Viva. Skilled developers are essential to customize, automate, and integrate these services, directly impacting the ROI of your M365 subscription.
3. AI is the Next Frontier: The integration of AI and Microsoft Copilot into the M365 ecosystem is creating a new demand for developers who can build AI-ready solutions, automate content processing, and create intelligent user experiences within SharePoint.
4. Skillset is Modernizing: Expertise in JavaScript frameworks (like React), REST APIs, and Azure services is now more important than traditional server-side C# code. Understanding the skills SharePoint developers should have is crucial for hiring managers.
5. Strategic Staffing is Key: The scarcity and high cost of specialized SharePoint talent make staff augmentation a strategic alternative to direct hiring, offering faster access to vetted experts and greater project flexibility.

The Great Shift: Why SharePoint's Role Has Evolved, Not Disappeared

To understand the current demand, you must first appreciate SharePoint's transformation. The platform's persistence comes from its deep integration into the Microsoft ecosystem, making it the de facto content engine for the modern digital workplace.

From On-Premise Intranets to a Cloud-Native Application Platform

The SharePoint of today is a cloud-first service, SharePoint Online. This shift is monumental. It's no longer about managing cumbersome server farms; it's about leveraging a scalable, secure, and evergreen platform.

Development has moved from full-trust, server-side code to the client-side SharePoint Framework (SPFx). This modern approach allows developers to use open-source tools and popular JavaScript frameworks like React to build fast, responsive, and secure web parts and extensions that run seamlessly within the context of a modern SharePoint page or Microsoft Teams.No issue found

SharePoint as the "Content Services" Backbone for Microsoft 365

Every file you share in a Microsoft Teams channel, every document you collaborate on in OneDrive-it's all stored, secured, and managed by SharePoint's robust content services infrastructure.

This deep integration means that any effort to govern, automate, or extend content-related processes within Microsoft 365 inevitably involves SharePoint. As organizations seek to get more value from their collaboration tools, the need for developers who understand this underlying architecture grows exponentially.

They are the ones who can build the custom solutions that make the entire ecosystem work for specific business needs.

The Core Drivers of SharePoint Developer Demand in 2025

The demand for SharePoint developers is not based on nostalgia; it's fueled by pressing, modern business challenges that tech leaders are tasked with solving.

Organizations are actively investing in developers to turn their SharePoint and M365 platforms into competitive advantages.

1. Digital Transformation & Process Automation

Companies are aggressively moving to digitize paper-based processes and automate repetitive workflows. SharePoint, combined with the Microsoft Power Platform (Power Apps and Power Automate), is the premier toolset for this within the Microsoft ecosystem.

A SharePoint developer can design sophisticated document approval flows, create custom data-entry forms with Power Apps that save to SharePoint lists, and integrate with external systems via APIs, transforming how work gets done.

2. Cloud Migration and Modernization Projects

Thousands of organizations still have data locked away in legacy on-premise SharePoint farms (2013, 2016, 2019).

Migrating this data to SharePoint Online is a complex undertaking that requires deep technical expertise to ensure data integrity, remap permissions, and modernize customizations. Developers are critical for planning and executing these migrations and for rebuilding old solutions using the modern SharePoint Framework.

3. Custom Application Development

SharePoint is more than a document repository; it's an application platform. Businesses are leveraging it to build custom solutions like project management dashboards, employee onboarding portals, and knowledge management huNo issue found bs.

These aren't just simple sites; they are full-fledged applications built with SPFx that integrate with the Microsoft Graph API to pull in data from across the M365 landscape, creating a unified and personalized user experience.

The Modern SharePoint Developer Skillset: What to Look For

The title "SharePoint Developer" is now a broad term. The skills required for success have changed dramatically.

When hiring, it's crucial to distinguish between legacy and modern skillsets to ensure your projects are future-proof.

Focusing on candidates with modern skills ensures they can build solutions that are secure, performant, and aligned with Microsoft's cloud-first roadmap.

For a deeper dive, explore our guide on what skills SharePoint developers should have.

2025 Update: The Impact of AI and Microsoft Copilot

The conversation around SharePoint in 2025 and beyond is incomplete without discussing AI. The introduction of Microsoft Copilot and the broader integration of Azure AI services are fundamentally changing the landscape.

This doesn't reduce the demand for developers; it redefines their role.

The new demand is for developers who can:

1. Build AI-Ready Content: Structure SharePoint data and apply metadata in ways that make it easily discoverable and usable by AI tools like Copilot.
2. Extend Copilot: Use Copilot Studio and the Microsoft Graph API to create plugins that allow the AI to interact with proprietary line-of-business systems through SharePoint.
3. Leverage SharePoint Syntex: Implement AI-powered document processing to automatically classify documents, extract metadata, and enforce compliance policies, turning unstructured content into structured, valuable data.

Developers are no longer just building user interfaces; they are architecting the intelligent content layer that will power the next generation of AI-driven productivity.

The Strategic Decision: In-House vs. Staff Augmentation

Finding a developer with the right blend of modern SharePoint skills, business acumen, and AI readiness is challenging and expensive.

This talent scarcity forces tech leaders to make a critical strategic decision: build an in-house team or leverage a staff augmentation partner?

Checklist: When to Augment Your SharePoint Team

1. ✅ You have an urgent project deadline and can't afford a lengthy hiring process.
2. ✅ Your need is for a specific project, not necessarily a permanent full-time role.
3. ✅ You want to access a global talent pool with specialized skills without the HR overhead.
4. ✅ You need to scale your development capacity up or down based on project demands.
5. ✅ You want to mitigate the risks of a bad hire and ensure access to vetted, certified experts.

For many organizations, particularly those in the US and Europe, partnering with a specialized offshore development firm like Developers.dev offers the ideal solution.

It provides immediate access to a dedicated team of senior SharePoint experts, backed by mature processes (CMMI Level 5, ISO 27001) and a commitment to secure, AI-augmented delivery. Exploring the key benefits of outsourcing SharePoint development can provide a clear path to achieving your project goals efficiently and cost-effectively.

Conclusion: The Verdict is In-Demand is Stronger and Smarter

The debate is over. SharePoint developers are unequivocally in demand in 2025. However, the demand is not for the SharePoint administrators of the past, but for a new breed of cloud-focused software engineer who can transform the SharePoint platform into a hub for custom applications, intelligent automation, and AI-powered insights.

They are the key to unlocking the full potential of your organization's investment in the Microsoft cloud.

For tech leaders, the challenge is not whether to invest in SharePoint development, but how to acquire the specialized talent needed to succeed.

Whether you choose to hire software developers directly or partner with a staff augmentation expert, securing these modern skills is a critical step toward building a more productive, automated, and intelligent digital workplace.

This article has been reviewed by the Developers.dev Expert Team, a group of certified Microsoft Solutions Experts and Cloud Solutions professionals.

Our team, including specialists like Atul K. and Nagesh N., leverages over 15 years of enterprise technology experience to provide practical, future-ready insights for technology leaders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SharePoint a dying technology?

Not at all. While the on-premise version of SharePoint is less common for new deployments, SharePoint Online is a thriving, growing platform.

It serves as the core content management system for Microsoft 365, including Microsoft Teams and OneDrive, making it more integral to business operations than ever before.

What is the average salary for a SharePoint developer in the US?

As of late 2024 and early 2025, the average salary for a skilled SharePoint developer in the United States is typically in the range of $110,000 to $140,000 per year.

This can vary significantly based on experience, location, and specialization in modern skills like SPFx and the Power Platform.

Can a .NET developer easily become a SharePoint developer?

A strong foundation in .NET is helpful, especially for understanding enterprise development principles. However, modern SharePoint development is primarily client-side, requiring strong skills in JavaScript, TypeScript, and a framework like React.

A .NET developer would need to invest significant time in learning the SharePoint Framework (SPFx) and client-side development paradigms to become proficient.

What is the difference between a SharePoint Administrator and a SharePoint Developer?

A SharePoint Administrator focuses on the configuration, management, and maintenance of the SharePoint environment.

They handle tasks like setting up sites, managing user permissions, and ensuring system health. A SharePoint Developer, on the other hand, writes custom code to build new functionality, create custom web parts with SPFx, automate processes, and integrate SharePoint with other business systems.

How is Power Platform related to SharePoint development?

The Power Platform (Power Apps, Power Automate) is deeply integrated with SharePoint. Developers use Power Apps to build custom forms and mobile apps that connect to SharePoint lists as a data source.

They use Power Automate to create complex workflows that trigger off actions in SharePoint, such as a document being uploaded or an item being modified. Proficiency in the Power Platform is now a core competency for modern SharePoint developers.