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What is a web developer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
5 min read
Quoted Experts
Brian Glas,
Kevin Treu Ph.D.
introduction image

A web developer creates and maintains websites using programming languages, such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. They work with designers to ensure the website's appearance and functionality meet the client's needs. Web developers also test for performance, troubleshoot issues, and ensure compatibility. They may specialize in front-end development, which focuses on user interface and design, or back-end development, which deals with server-side programming. A web developer continuously adapts to new technologies in the field.

What general advice would you give to a Web Developer?

B

Brian GlasBrian Glas LinkedIn Profile

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.
ScoreWeb DeveloperUS Average
Salary
6.2

Avg. Salary $78,975

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 15.85%

Black or African American 6.42%

Hispanic or Latino 11.96%

Unknown 6.50%

White 58.84%

Gender

female 21.75%

male 78.25%

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
6.6

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
5.8

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a Web Developer?

Pros

  • High demand for web development skills

  • Competitive salary and benefits

  • Flexibility in work schedule

  • Variety of projects and industries to work with

  • Ability to see tangible results of your work

Cons

  • Long hours and tight deadlines can cause stress

  • Difficulties with debugging and troubleshooting code

  • Limited opportunities for face-to-face interaction with clients

  • Can be isolating if working remotely or independently

  • Risk of burnout due to high demand and workload

Newest jobs for Web Developer in Columbus, OH

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Web Developer career paths

Key steps to become a web developer

  1. Explore web developer education requirements

    Most common web developer degrees

    Bachelor's

    70.5 %

    Master's

    13.6 %

    Associate

    11.0 %

  2. Start to develop specific web developer skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    		Percentages
    ascdesc
    JavaScript8.42%
    Html Css5.89%
    HTML4.50%
    CSS4.50%
    Web Forms4.48%
    Show more

  3. Complete relevant web developer training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New web 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 a web developer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real web developer resumes.

  4. Gain additional web developer certifications

    Web developer certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific web developer certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for web developers include Certified Web Professional - Web Developer and Master Certified Web Professional - Designer (CWP).

    More About Certifications

  5. Research web developer duties and responsibilities

    • Lead front-end design and creation.
    • Manage high transaction databases including all database objects, triggers, procedures, user rights and functions.
    • Manage social media including Facebook advertising.
    • Interact with java controllers (JQUERY, AJAX, and JSON to write/read data from back end systems).

  6. Prepare your web developer resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your web 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 a web 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 Web Developer Resume templates

    Build a professional Web 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 Web Developer resume.
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    Web Developer Resume
    Web Developer Resume

  7. Apply for web developer jobs

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

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

How Did You Land Your First Web Developer Job

Zippi

Are you a Web Developer?

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Average web developer salary

The average Web Developer salary in the United States is $78,975 per year or $38 per hour. Web developer salaries range between $60,000 and $103,000 per year.

Average Web Developer Salary
$78,975 Yearly
$37.97 hourly
More web developer salary info

What Am I Worth?

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How do web developers rate their job?

3/5

Based On 1 Ratings

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Web Developer reviews

profile
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

profile
3.0
A zippia user wrote a review on May 2019
Pros

Making your own website

Cons

Taking time to make it

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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