Web Developer

Your Fit

Income

$91K

Preparation

Medium

Growth

17.0%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Web Developer?

A Web Developer is a professional who specializes in the development and maintenance of websites. They are responsible for creating visually appealing and functionally efficient websites, ensuring a seamless user experience.

Sample job titles:

Web Architect, Web Design Specialist, Web Developer, Webmaster

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Web Developer.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Web Developer earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) in 2024 was...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$49K per year	$63K per year	$91K per year	$124K per year	$163K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $41K above the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a Web Developer do?

Work environment

Web Developers typically work in an office environment, either as part of an IT department in various organizations or at a digital marketing or web development agency. Many also work as freelancers or remote employees, providing the flexibility to work from different locations. Collaboration with graphic designers, content creators, and other IT professionals is common.

Quick task list

Designs user interfaces and navigation menus.
Writes and reviews code for websites, typically using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and other web languages.
Tests and troubleshoots website issues.
Collaborates with designers to bring visual concepts to life.
Optimizes websites for maximum speed and scalability.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Front-End Development: Specializing in the visual and interactive aspects of a website.
Back-End Development: Focusing on the server-side of web applications, dealing with database interactions, user authentication, and server logic.
Full-Stack Development: Combining both front-end and back-end development skills.
Web Design: Focusing on the layout, appearance, and usability of a website.
E-commerce Development: Specializing in creating online shopping platforms.

Description

Web development is a dynamic and creative field that combines technical skills with artistic design. Web Developers are crucial in building and maintaining the online presence of businesses, organizations, and individuals. They work on various aspects of website creation, from conceptual design and layout to coding and content management. Their role is not just to build a website but to create an engaging and user-friendly online experience.

The job requires a mix of coding skills and an understanding of aesthetic design. Front-end Developers focus on the look and feel of a site, using languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, while Back-End Developers work on the server-side, managing database interactions and application logic. Full-Stack Developers have expertise in both areas, making them versatile in handling a wide range of web development tasks.

Web development offers a creative outlet and a constantly evolving landscape with new technologies and design trends. It's a field that allows for a lot of personal and professional growth, with opportunities to work on diverse projects. Web Developers often have the flexibility to work as freelancers, offering a balance between work and personal life.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Creative expression through designing and developing new websites.
The satisfaction of building a product that is used and appreciated by others.
Opportunities for continuous learning and working with new technologies.

You might make a good Web Developer if you are...

Creative and have a good eye for design.
Detail-oriented, ensuring that websites are free of errors and visually appealing.
Proficient in coding and eager to learn new programming languages and frameworks.
Able to solve problems effectively and think logically.
Interested in how user interface and experience impact website functionality.

Pros:

High demand in a digital-focused world.
Opportunities for freelance or remote work, providing flexibility.
Constantly evolving industry with new technologies to learn.

Cons:

Keeping up with the rapid pace of change in technology can be challenging.
Freelancing or contract work may lack the stability and benefits of full-time employment.
Can involve long hours, especially when meeting project deadlines.

How to become a Web Developer

Typical education

Most Web Developers have at least an associate's degree in web development, computer science, or a related field, which generally takes about 2 years. However, many roles, especially those with more complex responsibilities, require a bachelor's degree, which is typically a 4-year program.

High school preparation

Courses:

Computer Science to learn the fundamentals of programming.
Graphic Design to understand basic design principles.
Mathematics, particularly algebra and geometry, for developing problem-solving skills.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Participating in web design or coding clubs.
Building personal or school websites as projects.
Competing in technology-related competitions.

Preparation after high school

Pursuing a degree or certification in web development, computer science, or a related field.
Building a portfolio of web development projects.
Gaining experience through internships, freelance projects, or part-time positions in web development.

More resources

Mozilla Developer Network (MDN) - Offers comprehensive documentation and learning resources for web technologies.
Codecademy - Provides interactive courses on various web development languages and frameworks.
Frontend Masters - Specializes in courses for front-end development.
Stack Overflow - A question-and-answer site for professional and enthusiast programmers.

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