Web developers create appealing and effective websites to generate traffic for clients’ products or services, and it’s a job that’s in high demand. That’s because the job they do is crucial to the success of a business. But, there are many different types of web development jobs. If you want to learn more about what web development is, read on.
Below, we’ll go over what web developers do and what trajectory you can expect your career to take. We’ve got everything prospective web developers need to start a career in the tech field.
What Is Web Development?
Web development is the process of creating and maintaining websites that meet clients’ requirements. It also refers to developing applications that run using the Internet. Web development professionals deal with aspects such as programming, web design, and database management.
The two main types of web development are front end and backend. Backend refers to the inner workings of a website that the user doesn’t see, but makes the website function. The front end is the graphical user interface that the user sees. The web development process includes planning, designing, building, and testing a website, then uploading it to a server and conducting regular maintenance after.
What Do Web Development Professionals Do?
Web development professionals perform different tasks depending on their area of specialization. Below are some of the responsibilities you may carry out as a web developer.
- Graphic design. Graphic design involves creating clear and evocative visuals. As a web developer working on the front end, you will likely use Adobe Creative Cloud for multimedia production and web design. If a website’s graphics are exceptional, it can have a big impact on the success of the end result.
- Database administration. Part of web development is designing, implementing, and maintaining databases. Some of the activities that go into database administration are data modeling and data and network security analysis. Typically, this task is performed by business intelligence analysts or computer support specialists.
- Mobile application development. Mobile app developers create browser-based applications using typical programming languages and frameworks. This process involves wireframing and prototyping and is usually a collaborative effort among a team of developers.
- User experience design. User experience design, or UX design, involves developing and assessing tech-based user experiences. Pleasing the users of your website will benefit your company in terms of attracting advertising and selling more products. To be a good UX designer, you need to understand how users navigate a website and what they want to get out of it.
- Cyber security. Cyber security deals with cyber attacks and malware. Senior web developers and information security analysts may be tasked with monitoring cyber security. This involves ethical hacking, carrying out computer forensics, installing secure hardware and software, and setting up firewalls.
How Much Do Web Development Professionals Make?
Web development professionals earn different salaries depending on their career path, location, skill level, and the company they work for. According to Glassdoor, the average salary of a web development specialist in the US is $68,228.
Web Development Average Salaries
The annual average salary of a digital design engineer is $136,805. As an aspiring digital design engineer, you should expect to earn between $67,500 and $210,500. If you decide to pursue backend development, you can expect to receive an average salary of $114,366.
What Is the Job Growth for Web Development?
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for web development professionals are expected to have a growth rate of 13 percent between 2020 and 2030, much faster than the average of 7.7 percent for all occupations.
So, all of the jobs listed below that fall within web development will also continue to expand. Plus, these career paths all come with a high median wage and great benefits.
The Highest-Paying Types of Web Development Jobs in 2022
- Mobile Application Development Manager | $141,321
- Digital Design Engineer | $136,805
- Graphics Programmer | $133,085
- Software Architect | $132,407
- Software Engineer | $116,835
- Websphere Portal Developer | $115,776
- Backend Developer | $115,109
- JavaScript Engineer | $110,073
- Full Stack Developer | $105,796
- Front End Developer | $100,031
Web development professionals are in high demand because they’re a driving force in tech and business. If you want a job that’s stable and well paid, check out our list of high-paying web developers jobs in detail below.
Mobile Application Development Manager
Average Salary: $141,321
A mobile application development manager leads a software development team to create innovative apps. These professionals should be experienced in user interface and user experience design for both iOS and Android. They will guide a team of mobile developers through all phases of development, from design to delivery of the software.
Some of your responsibilities will include improving development processes, coaching your team members, and collaborating with business owners to create app plans.
Digital Design Engineer
Average Salary: $136,805
Digital design engineers build hardware products and hardware circuitry. Some of their main duties include creating designs, collaborating with the marketing team to understand customer needs, and troubleshooting problems with existing products. For this role, you will need a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering.
Graphics Programmer
Average Salary: $133,085
Graphics programmers develop software or applications to facilitate animation or image development in a computer. As a graphics programmer, you will focus on creating programs for rendering, animation, photo editing, and video game creating. You will use algorithms, linear math, and coding to perform these tasks.
Your main responsibilities include using coding tools and languages such as C++, high-level shader language, and Java.
Software Architect
Average Salary: $132,407
A software architect plays the role of a developer, designer, and communicator. They collaborate with their clients to design solutions with other software engineers. Their responsibilities include researching and designing software solutions, scheduling software releases, and maintaining software after release.
To build a successful career as a software architect, you need a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or a relevant field.
Software Engineer
Average Salary: $116,835
Also known as software developers, software engineers use their knowledge of software architecture, programming languages, and platforms to create software. They also test, improve, and perform upkeep on software built by other engineers. If you aspire to learn software development, you should have strong analytical and technical skills.
WebSphere Portal Developer
Average Salary: $115,776
A WebSphere portal developer creates web portals using IBM’s WebSphere portal enterprise software. These developers will focus on building server-side software components that correspond with front end development. You will need to know programming languages such as HTML and JavaScript for this job.
Backend Developer
Average Salary: $115,109
The backend of a website is made up of servers, databases, and APIs. Typically, back-end developers facilitate browser communication with the databases. As a server-side developer, you will need solid skills in backend programming languages. You can either use object-oriented languages like Java and Python, or functional languages such as SQL and Clojure.
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JavaScript Engineer
Average Salary: $110,073
JavaScript engineers create and update JavaScript software or applications. The main duties of this role include writing code to create new software features, collaborating with team members to make sure programs function seamlessly, and fixing coding errors.
Full Stack Web Developer
Average Salary: $88,133
Full stack developers work on both the front end and backend of an application. They leverage their coding skills to organize databases and address development issues. Some duties of a full stack developer include designing software, collaborating with other developers, and staying up to date with tech trends.
Front End Web Developer
Average Salary: $100,309
Front end developers build the components of a website that users see and interact with, which is referred to as the user interface. To accomplish this, they use JavaScript, HTML, and CSS to lay out web pages.
Their main duties include creating mock-ups, building functional and appealing applications or sites, collaborating with backend developers, and conducting maintenance.
Web Development Career Path
Want to learn web development but don’t know where to start? Below are five steps you should take to land the best possible job.
- Choose a development specialization. Once you’ve become familiar with the basics of web development, you can decide whether you want to specialize in front end development, backend development, or full stack development. This will help employers identify whether you’re the ideal candidate for their job post.
- Implement projects. While you’re in the process of learning different programming languages, you should also be practicing your skills by creating web projects. These projects will help you impress employers when you’re hunting for jobs. A coding bootcamp is a great place to get additional training while completing these projects.
- Create a portfolio. Once you’ve executed projects that showcase your abilities, you can compile them in a portfolio. Choose the projects that you think best match the required skills listed in the job you’re applying for. This will help you stand out from other candidates.
- Advance your education. To rise to the senior or executive level demands, you must meet the right academic qualifications. This means you may need to enroll in web development certification courses to update your skills, or even get a Master’s Degree or PhD in Computer Science or Software Engineering.
- Network. As you go through your career, you will find many online platforms that support web development professionals. Networking on these sites and in person will help you meet other established, competent professionals who can help your career progress.
Should You Become a Web Development Professional?
You should become a web development professional if you’re interested in a stable career that’s also creative and analytical. Plus, it comes with great pay and benefits. All it takes is the right training and skills, and the determination to put yourself out there to apply for jobs.
You can explore these career resources to learn more about web development and how to kickstart your career.
Types of Web Development Careers FAQ
The main types of web development are backend development, front end development, full stack development, and web design.
The main non-technical components of web design are information design, aesthetic design, and interface design. To become a successful web designer, you need to master all three.
You will need a wide range of skills, including hard and soft skills, to become a web developer. For instance, problem-solving, computer literacy, and strong communication skills will all come into play.
HTML and CSS are two of the basic codes that you will need to know for web development. Together, they form the building blocks of most websites.
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