In fact, web developers are in high-demand worldwide, and the handsome salaries these web devs command make the web development field an attractive career path for many. Here, you’ll find all the information you need to decide on the path you will take to become a professional web developer, as well as other helpful resources on web developer salaries, fields, and training programs.
As the internet and web applications are becoming a near-constant presence in our modern lives, it’s no surprise that the need for qualified web developers is higher than ever.
How to become a Web Developer?
There are actually several different paths you might take to become a web developer, but the most common routes to starting a career in web development fall into one of the following categories:
- Learn web development on your own through self-study Attend an intensive, short-term coding bootcamp specializing in web development.
- Early on in the growth of the tech industry, only college graduates and self-taught programmers became professional web developers. Each educational path has its own merits.
- Earn a Computer Science degree at a traditional college or university (Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree, or even a PhD)
Types of Web Developers
There are 3 types of web developers. Once you've decided to enroll in a web development bootcamp, you choose which path you want to take.
Full Stack Developer
Full Stack Developers have the skills necessary to build and maintain all the layers of an application or website. In fact, a full stack developer is essentially a Front End and Back End Developer in one.
Front End Developer
Front End Developers use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create the “client-side” aspects of a website. These features include things like buttons, search bars, and other elements that users interact with.
Back End Developer
Back End Developers code and maintain the structures that allow Front End processes to function. Back End Developers are the “server-side” engineers who create the logic behind Front End applications and processes. They can use programming languages like Python, Ruby, Java, and PHP.
What Does a Web Developer Do?
A web developer’s job entails more than coding and debugging. These professionals are often also graphic designers, editors, and even writers. In addition to layout, web developers keep sites up-to-date with fresh updates and new content.
Unless a web developer runs their own business, they rarely work alone. Web developers regularly collaborate with management and other programmers to ensure their website functions as intended.
Web Developer Salaries
Web developers in San Francisco report an average of $100,000 per year, while the same professionals in Atlanta earn $75,000. Web developers earn impressive salaries. The national average lies between $65,000 and $75,000 annually.
Entry-level web developers generally earn over $50,000 and report high job satisfaction. There is no way to know exactly how much to expect because web developer salaries vary widely between companies and locations. Some web developers choose not to work in an office as many freelance opportunities exist for skilled professionals.
How to Learn Web Development
Coding bootcamps, which normally last between 12 and 24 weeks, are intensive training programs designed to prepare inexperienced prospects for a career in the tech industry.
Especially developers who entered the industry early, are self-taught and lack any formal coding education. Some web developers attend a college or university, usually for computer science or a similar field. Instead of college or self-taught lessons, coding bootcamps are now an alternative.
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