But how does one become a Web developer? Keep reading to find out more!
What Is Web Development?
Web development at its core involves the creation and maintenance of websites for the Internet (World Wide Web) or an intranet (a private network). Many web developers are in charge of the website’s performance (speed, functionality and security) and capacity in addition to making sure it is aesthetically pleasing and simple to look at and navigate. Some web developers even go as far as to generate content for the website they manage. And also manage the servers that the websites are hosted on.
How Much Does a Web Developer Make?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were roughly 199,400 web developer positions in the US as of 2020. (BLS). From 2020 to 2030, the BLS predicts a 13% gain in employment for web developers during this time. Meanwhile, the salary range for web developers is somewhere between $70,790 and $123,870, depending on criteria including experience, talents, and location. The best-paid 25 percent made $107,620 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $55,390. Seattle, San Francisco, San Jose, Visalia, and Santa Cruz are the cities where web developers can earn the greatest salaries. Meanwhile, the states and districts that pay Web Developers the highest mean salary are Washington ($133,790), California ($94,960), Georgia ($93,590), Massachusetts ($91,480), and New Jersey ($90,710).
Types of Web Developers
When our CEO started out as a web developer in 2000 after graduating from St Martins College of Art and Design in the United Kingdom, there were only a handful of titles. The profession has now matured and exploded. Thats a long time ago considering that the first web browser, named WorldWideWeb, was developed by British scientist and internet pioneer Tim Berners-Lee at the Swiss research facility CERN in 1990 and that Google launched on September 4th 1998.
Back-End Web Developers
Average Annual Salary: Around $87,000
Projected Job Growth (2020-2030): 13%
Education Needed: Although many employers are looking to hire developers with a bachelor’s degree with a major in computer science, there is no formal educational requirement to become a backend web developer. Proficiency with programs such as Python, Java, PHP, SQL, GIT, HTML, CSS and JavaScript; is often preferred.
Job Description: The heart of websites and online apps are built by backend developers on the “server side,” or the portion that is hidden from the end user. To keep the website online and accessible to visitors at all times, they build things like databases, and application programming interfaces (APIs), and set up web hosting.
Specific tasks will vary by company, but backend developers will likely work on all of these tasks throughout their careers:
- Building and maintaining web servers
- Writing APIs
- Handling backups
- Coding core website functionality
- Collaboration with other tech workers
- Building security protocols and encryptions
- Creating performance reports
- Building databases and caching mechanisms
- Working in a variety of development languages
- Problem-solving
Front-End Web Developers
Average Annual Salary: Around $77,000
Projected Job Growth (2020-2030): 13%
Education Needed: So front front-end developer’s skills include the need to: have a degree in computer science or a similar field. Be proficient in coding languages such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and jQuery. Understand server-side CSS. Be experienced with graphic design applications (e.g., Adobe Illustrator). Understand the principles of SEO.
Job Description: A front-end developer is in charge of creating brand-new user-facing features, choosing the layout and structure of web pages, creating reusable code, accelerating page load speeds, and working with a range of markup languages to build the sites.
Full-Stack Developers
Average Annual Salary: Around $79,000
Projected Job Growth (2020-2030): 13%
Education Needed: A full-stack developer frequently has a bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, or a similar discipline, however, this is not a must. A degree can help you develop the technical and professional abilities needed to be a successful full-stack engineer.; proficiency in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP Python, and Ruby is also required
Job Description: Websites and platforms are designed and developed by full-stack developers. They collaborate with design teams to make user interactions on websites interesting and logical. They also offer back-end functionality that functions properly on any modern device or browser type.
How to Become a Web Developer
There are various routes to becoming a web developer. Some of the best developers is actually self-taught. And that is a big part of the story. Even if you obtain a qualification, the most valuable experience comes on the job. So it pays to speed time experimenting and getting in the deep end early will pay dividends later. However, a clear first step to becoming a Web Developer would be to earn a degree(s) in web development to develop basic coding and programming skills and or to try pursuing an internship(s). Landing a solid internship as a new web developer provides vital work experience. Other steps would be to start building up a portfolio. Other developers still go on to complete boot camps to learn the necessary coding skills their job requires.
Discover which web development route is best for you by reading on.
Undertake a Degree
A degree in computer science, software management, data analytics, and management, or a comparable field, can be a good starting point for people who desire to pursue a web development career in the traditional collegiate setting. You can pursue a degree tailored to your job objectives once you’ve decided whether front-end, back-end, or full-stack programming is most appealing to you. You may even decide that you want to be an all-rounder, in which case you’ll need to be working in all fields.
The cost of a traditional degree is considerable. An in-state, public university’s average bachelor’s degree costs about $40,000 in tuition and fees.
Consider a Bootcamp to hone your skills.
A coding Bootcamp can be the best option for you if you want to swiftly change careers or enter the industry. coding bootcamps typically run shorter than 14 weeks and cost roughly $12,000 in tuition.
Coding boot camps are offered by organizations like 4Geeks Academy, Actualize, App Academy, Boolean, and Brain Station. Before you pay for tuition, some even provide free beginning coding courses so you can decide if web development is the correct field for you.
Start Building a Portfolio
Having a web and coding portfolio that highlights your work is essential if you want to work as a web developer. If you haven’t worked as a web developer yet, you can use assignments from school or a Bootcamp to construct your portfolio, or you can even make websites for fictitious clients to showcase your skills. As a portfolio-building project, you might also offer to work for free on a local nonprofit’s website.
It’s crucial that you have web development work samples you can show potential companies.
Check out the certificates and certifications
If you’re a web developer without a degree in computer science or a related profession, certification or certificate could be an additional plus. These certifications show that you have a certain level of web development competence at a professional level and will give some clients the additional assurance that you will be able to complete a project on time, within budget, and according to specification.
There are certifications and certificates available for a variety of coding languages and abilities, including AJAX, HTML, MySQL, MongoDB, React.js, Mongoose, Node.js, Linux, CSS, JavaScript, and Python. When it comes to these designations, quality is more significant than the number of qualifications you have. Look for a certificate that enhances and complements the abilities needed for your potential Web development career.
