Web Development Careers
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All of the websites you encounter daily, including this one, would not exist without web developers’ skills and expertise. Their work involves making websites functional, accessible, and attractive. These and other web developer responsibilities make sure people find the information they need.
Web developer career paths offer many advantages, such as a high median salary. You can become a web developer by earning a college degree or industry certifications. These and other qualifications can increase your salary potential as a web developer.
Read on to learn about the latest web developer education requirements.
Are Web Developers in Demand?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects the need for web developers and digital designers to grow by 16% between 2022 and 2032. This figure outpaces the 14% projected growth rate for computer occupations and the 3% projected growth rate for all occupations. Actual 16% growth would translate to many open positions for new and experienced professionals.
Top industries for web developers include software publishing, management, and computer systems design. Professionals in these industries earn more than those employed by an educational services company or government agency.
The BLS projects that related professions, such as graphic designer and project manager, may experience lower growth between 2022 and 2032. Keep in mind that unexpected economic circumstances, such as a recession, can significantly affect actual industry and job growth.
The growth in popularity of web development and computer science careers may lead to job oversaturation in the coming years. Despite this, many avenues exist for professionals to learn new skills and stand out in a tight job market.
Featured Online Bachelor’s in Web Development Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
What Do Web Developers Do?
Web developers’ responsibilities vary by job title and employer but may include making sure a site runs well and that all elements work correctly. The career also requires extensive collaboration with managers, clients, and other web developers.
Web developers may specialize in front-end development or back-end development. Front-end developers design how websites look using HTML or CSS. With JavaScript, their choices impact how users interact with different elements.
Back-end developers add functionality to a website, such as links and executables. Other responsibilities include protecting users’ data by building security features. They may work in Ruby, JavaScript, Python, or another programming language.
Web developer career paths differ somewhat from web coder and web designer career paths. Web designers create the graphics and elements web developers use in building websites. Web coding refers to web development and careers in related fields, including computer programming and data science.
Types of Web Developers
Front-end developer
Front-end developers make sure you can interact with a website’s links, videos, and other executables. Typical responsibilities include creating a user interface, testing for and fixing bugs, and porting websites to tablets and smartphones. Their job also involves making sure websites can run on different browsers. Some problems may require developing new tools to improve the user experience.
Back-end developer
Back-end developers‘ work focuses on website function and overall performance. Their code lets a website store, retrieve, and manipulate client and user information. Responsibilities include developing security systems protecting sensitive data, such as users’ Social Security numbers or credit card information. A typical day may involve updating databases, debugging code, and updating server settings. They also spend much of their time collaborating with front-end developers and other stakeholders.
Full-stack developer
Full-stack developers can handle front- and back-end development. Typical responsibilities include writing new software applications, testing compatibility across platforms, and collaborating with graphic designers to create new website elements. These professionals may need to understand many programming languages to perform their job well. Employers expect job applicants to hold advanced problem-solving, creative, and communication skills. Unlike full-stack engineers, full-stack developers focus on websites’ functionality rather than their purpose.
Web Developer Education Requirements
Although the requirements for a career in web development may not include a degree for some entry-level positions, a college degree can improve your career trajectory and web developer salary potential. Nearly 50% of programmers hold a bachelor’s degree, according to a 2023 Stack Overflow survey of industry professionals. The survey also reveals that 26% of professionals hold a master’s.
The degree you choose affects your career path significantly. A bachelor’s in computer science may qualify you for an entry-level database administration or software engineering position. A bachelor’s in web design or development may lead to a junior front-end, back-end, or full-stack developer career.
Remember that required education, experience, and skills vary by employer. You may need some or many of the following front- and back-end skills to succeed in a web development career.
7 Soft Skills for Web Developers
Employers offering a high web developer salary want applicants with developed soft skills. The skills below help you collaborate with others, complete tasks on time, and produce excellent work.
- Communication: You need effective communication skills to work alongside other web developers, company managers, and outside stakeholders. A good communicator can explain technical information to experienced coders and people without a computer science or programming background. You can develop your communication skills in college-level English and liberal arts classes.
- Creative Problem-Solving: Web developer responsibilities include overcoming unexpected challenges using creative problem-solving. This process involves thinking up solutions to a problem even if you do not know the exact cause. Effective problem solvers can balance divergent and convergent thinking, think of problems in new ways, and maintain a positive attitude throughout the problem-solving process.
- Critical Thinking: Critical thinking lets you analyze and solve problems rationally. A good critical thinker can synthesize information from many sources, develop new insights, and question suspect material. Web developers use critical thinking skills to define issues, analyze resources, compare options, and pick the best solution.
- Detail-oriented: In web development, even the smallest errors can significantly negatively impact a website’s look or functionality. Detail-oriented professionals focus on all aspects of their tasks. This mindset prevents errors, increases websites’ quality, and helps professionals make the most of their time and resources.
- Time Management: Web developer responsibilities include meeting their employer’s deadlines. Time management skills let you break down large projects into weekly or daily milestones, set work timers, reduce distractions in your workspace, organize priorities, and limit procrastination. You can also delegate tasks to other web developers if necessary.
- Teamwork: Although web developers spend much of their day working independently, teamwork determines whether a project succeeds. Front- and back-end developers collaborate through the website development process, and professionals must know how to respond to managers’ feedback. Group projects in college classes and similar experiences can help you improve your teamwork skills.
- Flexibility/Adaptability: A flexible and adaptive attitude helps web developers react to issues that include programming bugs, clients’ changing expectations, and shifting project timelines. You can improve your flexibility and adaptability by questioning your thought process, taking greater risks, and keeping up with the latest web development best practices through professional development.
Web Developer Career Paths
Education or training can qualify you for one or more web developer career paths. Some of these careers feature a median salary exceeding $100,000. Inexperienced professionals and recent graduates may earn considerably less in their first position.
As you review the table below, keep in mind that working in a lower-paid position may provide the experience necessary for advancement to a better-paying job. Many senior UX designers making more than $100,000 per year start their careers in web design, according to Payscale. User experience designers can also follow a similar career trajectory.
Many resources exist to help you create a personalized web developer career path. College students should visit their school’s career center and meet with advisors. Online forums can also help you explore career tracks and network with other job-seekers.
Note: Salary figures marked with an asterisk in the following table are based on 2023 data.
| Jobs | Median Salary (2024) |
|---|---|
| Web Designer | $56,300 |
| Graphic Designer | $58,910* |
| User Interface Designer | $72,000 |
| Full-Stack Developer | $75,000 |
| User Experience Designer | $81,000 |
| Front-End Developer | $84,000 |
| Web Developer | $84,960* |
| Mobile Applications Developer | $85,000 |
| Back-End Developer | $97,000 |
| Project Management Specialist | $98,580* |
| Computer Programmer | $99,700* |
| DevOps Engineer | $106,000 |
| Software Developer | $132,270* |
| Chief Technology Officer | $176,000 |
Employment Numbers by State
Web developers can pursue tech careers across the country, although the availability of work and the salary outlook differ depending on the state. California employs the most web developers by far, outpacing the next two biggest employers — Washington and New York.
However, the states with the highest employment do not always offer the most lucrative wages. Washington offers the highest average salary for web developers, followed by California, Georgia, Virginia, and Massachusetts.
Table: Statewide Web Developer Employment and Salaries
| State⇅ | Total Employment⇅ | Annual Mean Wage⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 760 | $67,070 |
| Alaska | 140 | $65,920 |
| Arizona | 2,810 | $67,970 |
| Arkansas | 490 | $47,400 |
| California | 20,920 | $90,230 |
| Colorado | 3,430 | $77,600 |
| Connecticut | 1,430 | $83,970 |
| Delaware | 340 | $78,060 |
| Florida | 7,200 | $66,720 |
| Georgia | 3,170 | $87,800 |
Interview With a Professional in Web Development
Cody Swann founded Gunner Technology in 2010. His company is now one of the nation’s top software development firms based on revenue per employee. As CEO, Cody prefers to operate “from the trenches,” often serving as project manager or developer.
Cody is an expert in business optimization and automation, agile methodologies, and isomorphic development.
Resources for Web Development Majors
Web development students and professionals should take advantage of professional resources. Read on to learn more about professional organizations, free online courseware, and scholarly publications relevant to the field of web development.
Professional Organizations
- AIGA: AIGA is a prominent professional design organization that serves more than 18,000 members in 70+ national chapters. The institute offers professional development opportunities like leadership workshops and certificate courses. Members receive discounts on conferences, design competitions, health insurance, and web development products. AIGA also delivers job listings, diversity initiatives, and student resources.
- Association for Computing Machinery: Boasting over 100,000 members, ACM is the world’s largest computing organization. The association connects professionals through regional chapters and international conferences. Members can also collaborate by joining any of 30+ special-interest groups. The ACM Learning Center provides professional development and continuing education resources. Professionals can seek guidance and apply for jobs through the association’s career center.
- International Web Association: Established in 1996, IWA serves approximately 300,000 members in more than 100 countries. The association establishes educational standards and operates certification programs. Professionals can pursue credentials in areas like site design, server administration, e-commerce, and web development. IWA also offers online courses and job listings.
- User Experience Professionals Association: An international organization, UXPA maintains about 50 chapters worldwide. Professionals collaborate through special-interest groups, online communities, and mentorship programs. In addition to a job bank, the association provides guidance for job seekers and resources for hiring managers. UXPA also offers webinars, volunteer opportunities, and financial awards for students and practitioners.
- World Organization of Webmasters: Founded in 1996, WOW supports students, educators, and practicing web professionals. Through an academy program, WOW offers webinars, on-site skill development training, and continuing education opportunities. Professionals can gain certification in areas like e-commerce management, web animation, and mobile app development.
Open Courseware
- HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for Web Developers – Johns Hopkins University: This 40-hour course explores the tools web developers need to build a user-friendly webpage. Students learn coding languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create mobile and desktop-friendly websites. Professionals and students who complete the course receive a shareable certificate.
- Django for Everyone – University of Michigan: This class helps Python programmers create Django applications and websites. The course lasts five months, and students learn coding languages like HTML, CSS, jQuery, and JavaScript.
- Software Testing and Automation – University of Minnesota: This four-month course helps students create functional tests for front-end and back-end code in their software projects. Students learn how to create a functionality test and how to measure the effectiveness of their testing methods. The class covers black-box and white-box testing, fully automated testing, and testing for web and mobile applications.
- UI/UX Design – California Institute of the Arts: This class takes a design-centered approach to user experience for websites and apps. The four-month course walks students through project development, from user research to creating program architecture and developing sitemaps.
Publications
- ACM Journal on Emerging Technologies in Computing Systems: This journal publishes original technical papers on new research and technologies in areas like design analysis, verification, testing, and evaluation of computers and computing systems. The journal also discusses the efficacy of turning new technologies into information systems.
- Journal of Usability Studies: This peer-reviewed international publication educates readers on user experience design. The online publication uses empirical findings and usability case studies to promote good practices in user-driven content and design. The journal asks for original submissions with quantitative and qualitative usability studies and does not charge fees for publishing or reviewing submissions.
- User Experience Magazine: Published four times a year, this magazine helps professionals explore issues in web development and hone their skills in delivering products designed with the user’s experience in mind. Past issues covered topics like user experience careers, voice interfaces, multi-language content strategy, and cloudworking and big data.
- Smashing Magazine: This online publication provides articles specifically for web developers and designers. Past topics include developing for the semantic web, how to use face motion to interact with typography, using Google Analytics to improve user experience, and ways to design digital product pages.
- Net Magazine: This publication offers essential tips and articles on graphic design for websites and web-based applications. Readers can access useful articles about how to create balanced layouts and guides to the best code editors. This online magazine also provides a job board.
Frequently Asked Questions About Web Development Careers
Bootcamps can teach you in-demand web developer skills in less than a year. You can also learn web development in 2-4 years if you complete a traditional associate or bachelor’s degree. You may need longer to graduate if you study part time.
Completing a web development bootcamp or earning an undergraduate degree may not be enough to qualify you for your dream job. You may need a master’s, many years of experience, or industry certifications to advance your web developer career.
Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed June 17, 2024.
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