Career Path and Career Goals for Web Developers: Become the best web developer you can be

Do you want to pursue a career as a web developer? Professional website developers are in demand in various industries such as e-commerce, electronics, publishing and software design. The best technology companies hire web developers, and the job description of one Webentwicklers doesn’t even require a formal degree.

In this article, we'll show you how to achieve your career goals as a web developer in the technology industry. We cover the different possible career paths for web developers, what milestones will lead you to a managerial position, and provide tips on how to find your dream job in web development. We use American salaries as they are more representative.

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Career Prospects for Web Developers: Why is Web Development a Good Career?

Web development is a good career because it is for both Front-End - There are numerous career opportunities for back-end web developers. On your career path as a web developer, you will develop both soft skills and technical skills. All in all, you can expect a fun experience and positive job satisfaction.

Salary and career prospects for web developers

(We refer to American values) According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual salary of a web developer is $77,200. High-paid web developers with extensive experience in Internet technology and web development can earn more than $146,430, according to the BLS.

Additionally, web development is expected to grow 13%, with 224,900 projected job openings, according to BLS. However, keep in mind that your salary as a web developer can change depending on your employer and where you work.

What does a typical career path for web developers look like?

Web developer profession - source: de.webmasters-europe.org

Level 1: Web Developer

In the web development career, an entry-level web developer is responsible for programming functional and responsive websites. You must be familiar with the processes of a web developer and have the necessary soft skills for dealing with potential customers. A junior web developer earns an average annual salary of $50,958, according to ZipRecruiter.

Level 2: Backend Developer

Backend developers work on the server side of a website with APIs, web services, servers, application frameworks, databases and programming languages. For this part of your career, you will need to expand your knowledge of operating systems and database management. Backend developers earn an average of $102,880 per year, according to ZipRecruiter.

Level 3: Full Stack Developer

Full stack developers focus on the client side of the Web development . As a full-stack developer, you can specialize in a development platform or programming language. You can also read our detailed full-stack developer career guide to learn more. According to ZipRecruiter, full stack developers earn an average annual salary of $104,126.

Level 4: Software Architect

Software architect positions require extensive knowledge and a wide range of skills.  According to the BLS, a software architect is a well-paying profession with an average salary of $116,780 per year. Software architects are involved in the high-level design of software, setting standards and developing solutions.

Level 5: Senior Web Developer

Senior web developers lead a development and design team. They train other web developers and are responsible for more complex parts of development. You have extensive knowledge and experience with a variety of web development tools. Senior web developers earn an average annual salary of $104,918, according to ZipRecruiter.

Web developer career path: important milestones

A web developer must learn quickly and acquire skills over time. You can start by developing simple websites for friends and then move on to designing websites for small businesses. By solidifying the quality of their work, they can grow as professionals. Below you will find the most important milestones in a web developer's career.

The path to success - Source: bernd-slaghuis.de

Develop a website

Sometimes web developers work on parts of a website or work on a development team. When you fully complete a website development project, it is your first achievement in your web developer career. This way you will learn the basic principles of web development.

Land a big customer

With the right demeanor and good presentation, you can land a client that will advance your career. Large companies often hire web developers to create websites for their clients, audiences, and customers.

Earn a certification

Many professional web developers become certified to demonstrate their expertise and the hours they have spent in the field.

Market your skills

Web developers are in demand and plentiful, so you'll want to showcase your skills in an attractive package to expand your customer base.

Start your own business

Established web developers can even become self-employed or work as freelancers for important clients.

Plan your career path as a web developer

As an aspiring web developer, it is a good idea to take up freelance work to develop an impressive portfolio for important tasks in the website development industry.
Web developers can find work in any industry, including e-commerce, healthcare, information technology, manufacturing, or digital services. When it comes to a career as a web developer, there are many areas you can specialize in, such as: E.g. web platforms, programming languages ​​or web developer tools.

It is a good idea to plan your career moves by discussing them with experienced professionals as well as peers in the field. Below are some tips for successfully planning your career as a web developer.

Acquire certifications

Online learning platforms like Coursera and edX now offer online courses that allow you to learn from the comfort of your own home. You'll also receive a certificate of completion at the end that you can add to your resume. Vendor or technology-specific certifications like CompTIA certifications can give you a competitive edge in the applicant pool for popular career opportunities.

Build a solid foundation in programming

If you want a career in software development, you must have a solid foundation in programming languages. You can take the educational route and complete certificate programs in web development, software engineering, graphic design or product development. In most companies, senior developer positions require completion of certain courses, such as: B. a bachelor's degree in computer science.

You can also attend bootcamps to improve your skills as a developer. Find out about full stack developer bootcamps and stay up to date with newer concepts and in-demand skills because programming is constantly evolving. Rithm School offers informative, free courses for web developers to learn HTML, CSS, JavaScript and Python.

Find a professional mentor

Talking to a mentor will give you insights into web development and system design. A mentor can also connect you with career opportunities. Bootcamp programs often offer personalized support and career resources for career changers, freelancers and professionals.

Attending web development events designed to teach and help you is also a good way to learn from professional web developers, software engineers, and development experts. Additionally, such events provide important networking opportunities that can help you in your job search.

Put together an impressive portfolio

Portfolio of a developer - Source: repository-images.githubusercontent.com

A carefully curated web developer portfolio showcases the highlights of your web developer career, previous employers, and your accomplishments. It should be tailored to the type of work you want to do and your career goals as a web developer. If you e.g. For example, if you want to do UX design, you can show UX projects and examples of responsive design in your portfolio.

Consider freelancing

Many software developers choose to freelance because there are many job opportunities for freelancers in the field of web development. As a freelancer, you can show how well you know the basics. You'll also demonstrate your performance in real projects and demonstrate your ability to complete a web development task.

Next steps for aspiring web developers
The next step for aspiring web developers is to create a professional web developer portfolio. It's important to do relevant work with popular programming languages ​​and stay up to date on new topics in the online world.

Ultimately, web developers are paid based on their experience and the quality of their work. Entry-level web developers should explore various elements of web development and design after securing a development role.

Web developers can also pursue alternative career paths that better suit their skills and interests. It can be worthwhile UX-Designer and improve user-friendliness. Some artistically inclined developers and Designer can even work in graphic design and animation. To start this career as a web developer, all you need to do is master basic design skills.

Frequently asked questions about the career profile of a web developer

Is a front-end web developer a software engineer?

Yes. Front-end web development is a branch of software engineering. Software engineering involves the development of applications, including web-based applications, mobile software, and operating systems. Front-end developers use tools, programming languages, and interfaces to develop applications that are used directly by customers.

Is web development easier than software engineering?

Yes, web development is easier to learn as you can focus on HTML, CSS and JavaScript languages. A software engineer needs knowledge of more complex programming languages ​​such as Java , Python and C++ to qualify for a career.

Can a web developer become a software engineer?

With experience in a variety of software applications, web developers can actually become software engineers. Web developers can expand the projects they work on and also write code for software outside of web applications. You can attend a software engineering bootcamp like Hack Reactor to gain basic knowledge of software engineering.

What soft skills are required in web development?

Aspiring web developers need soft skills like analytical thinking. Problem solving is the backbone of web development because you create websites that solve customer problems. Communication skills are also important to understand and respond to customer needs to meet business requirements. An experienced web developer should be able to explain technical topics to customers even without programming knowledge.