What is an php developer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Quoted Experts

Brian Glas,

Maria Larrondo Petrie Ph.D.

A PHP developer specializes in creating web applications and dynamic web content using the PHP programming language. They work with databases and frameworks to build complex websites and web-based applications. PHP developers code, test, and debug websites. They also collaborate with designers and developers to translate website designs into functional code. In addition, they work to maintain websites and applications. Overall, a PHP developer serves as a crucial member for the development of websites and web-based applications.

What general advice would you give to an PHP Developer?

Brian Glas

Assistant Professor of Computer Science, Union University

Build relationships: Different technologies will interest and challenge you, but throughout your career, you'll find that it's the relationships that are the most important. This is harder to grasp earlier in your career, but much easier to understand after 15-20 years.
Gain different perspectives: Spend time with people in other roles that your job interacts with, and gain a solid understanding of how they view things; this is most valuable for career progression and understanding of how your work fits into the big picture.

ScorePHP DeveloperUS Average

Salary

7.1

Avg. Salary $91,010

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

5.2

Growth Rate 13%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

1.9

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.42%

Asian 15.71%

Black or African American 6.39%

Hispanic or Latino 11.90%

Unknown 6.49%

White 59.08%

Gender

female 14.24%

male 85.76%

Age - 36

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 36

Stress Level

5.2

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

6.3

Complexity Level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

5.8

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being an PHP Developer?

Pros

High demand for PHP developers
Good salary and career growth opportunities
Flexibility to work remotely or freelance
Ability to work on diverse projects
Potential for creative problem-solving and innovation

Cons

High competition for jobs in some areas
Long hours and tight deadlines
Can be repetitive and monotonous depending on the project
Possibility of working on projects that are not personally fulfilling or aligned with values
Potential for feeling undervalued or underappreciated

Key steps to become an php developer

Explore php developer education requirements

Most common php developer degrees

Bachelor's

70.2 %

Master's

17.9 %

Associate

6.7 %

Start to develop specific php developer skills

Skills	Percentages
JavaScript	8.99%
CSS	5.78%
HTML	5.50%
Web Application	4.86%
WordPress	4.78%

Complete relevant php developer training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New php developers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an php developer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real php developer resumes.

Research php developer duties and responsibilities

Develop an internal web base PHP ERP system using LARAVEL mvc framework to manage all the internal business aspects.
Manage all aspects of maintaining/improving multiple websites running on Magento.
Develop UI pages using HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript.
Work with PHP, MySQL, JavaScript, JSON, and XUL on mortgage foreclosure system.

Prepare your php developer resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your php developer resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an php developer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable PHP Developer Resume templates

Build a professional PHP Developer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your PHP Developer resume.

Apply for php developer jobs

Now it's time to start searching for an php developer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do php developers rate their job?

-/5

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

PHP Developer reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2019

Cons

Stressing and you have to keep always updated

Pros

Improve every day, a good salary, a lot of job opportunities

A zippia user wrote a review on May 2019