How to Become a Web Developer

Become Team
Become Team
February 17, 2022

LearnHowToBecome.org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Discover your program in minutes

Web开发人员走在互联网时代的最前沿。我们浏览的网站、订购的礼物和在线阅读的新闻，都是由设计、构建和实现互联网网站的web开发人员实现的。他们大量参与网站的创建，从帮助设计美学属性，如布局和颜色，到技术考虑，如如何设计一个网站来处理给定的互联网流量。

Not only is the web development field exciting and on the forefront of the digital age, but it's also a growing field. This guide will explain how to become a web developer, what skills and education are needed, different career paths, current market trends, and what people can expect as a web developer professional.

What Does a Web Developer Do?

Web Development Basics

网站开发人员负责设计和开发网站和网站应用程序。使用各种编程语言和web技术，web开发人员管理站点功能，实现应用程序特性，并集成安全措施。

Front-end developers (also known as client-side development) use a variety of programming languages and frameworks such as HTML, CSS and JavaScript to build the exterior look and features of a site. Back-end developers use programming languages such as Python and Ruby to design, build and integrate applications from front-end development into the back end—in other words, they make the features on the site operate. Individuals with skills in both front- and back-end development are known as “full-stack developers.”

Web Development Salaries

在过去的五年中，Web开发人员的薪水一直在稳步增长，预计还会继续增长。Robert Half Technology estimates earnings for web development professionals will increase by an average of approximately 5.6 percent in 2016:

Occupation 2016 Salary Increase
Senior Web Developer 5.7%
Web Developer 5.8%
Front-End Web Developer 6.1%
Web Administrator 4.5%
Web Designer 6.0%
E-Commerce Analyst 5.7%

Specialized skill sets also impact potential earnings according to Robert Half Technology. Based on a review of salary data, the company projects that web developers with in-demand skills can see upward of a nine percent increase in annual salaries.

Skill Set Salary Increase
SharePoint 9%
Virtualization 8%
Web Services 8%
C# 7%
LAMP 7%
.NET 7%
PHP 7%
Content management system 6%
Java 6%
Ruby on Rails 6%
Java EE/J2EE 5%
Python 5%
ASP 4%
AJAX 3%
Cold Fusion 3%
DCOM/COM/ActiveX 3%

Overall, the salaries for web developers range from approximately $60,000 to more than $125,000. This range is due to a number of factors, such as experience, location, and field of practice. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the national median salary at $63,490, while Robert Half Technology's survey places median salaries substantially higher, at $97,750.

Steps to Becoming a Web Developer

Web development is a flexible professional field, one that affords prospective students multiple ways to gain the training and experience necessary to begin their careers. Below is an overview of steps interested individuals can take to enter this career field.

Step 1
Choose a Development Specialization
网站的每个元素都与其他元素相关联，成功建立一个网站是一项复杂的工作。根据他们的具体工作，web开发人员将熟练使用各种软件程序(如JavaScript框架，版本控制，CSS)，不仅要有专门的知识，他们的角色，而且要了解整个过程作为一个整体。在开始之前，明智的做法是了解那些看起来有趣的web开发工作类型——比如用户界面设计、移动应用程序开发或前端开发——为未来的教育和培训做好准备。
Step 2
Get an Education
No specific degree or educational path exists for careers in web development, and it's possible to become a web developer with or without a formal education. While it's certainly possible to learn coding languages independently, there is more to web development than coding. Individuals who can implement coding skills within a broader context may have an advantage, and that's where a formal education can help prospective developers gain foundational knowledge of web development principles and practices, expose them to project management and situations that require problem-solving, and encourage critical thinking.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an associate degree is the most common minimum educational requirement for employment. However, Robert Half Technology notes that a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field is traditionally necessary for career advancement. More recently, coding boot camps such as Code Academy and App Academy have emerged as short-term, intensive training options for students to gain career-specific coding skills that can boost their chances for employment.
Step 3
Develop Technical Skills
Despite the real advantages that come with an organized education, web development is still a field in which concrete skills can trump education when it comes to employment opportunities. Companies want employees who can produce, and how or where something was learned is secondary to simply being able to do it. Prospective web developers should have expertise in the three core programming components: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. They should also learn about CSS and CSS frameworks such as Backbone, Bootstrap, and Foundation. Finally, to build applications, developers should be proficient in back-end languages such as Ruby, Java, PHP and tools such as Oracle and SQL Server.
Step 4
Practice Your Coding Skills
Web developers learn by doing. Set up a Github account and push code to the site. An active Github profile can get the attention of employers searching through stacks of resumes, and demonstrates not only what a candidate does to solve programming issues, but also the thinking and strategies behind those solutions. Practicing coding and getting used to using Git prepares developers to work as part of a team, as well as manage complicated site and application builds.
Step 5
Launch an Online Portfolio
雇主希望看到结果，例如当前成功的网站和应用程序构建的例子。有了投资组合，开发人员可以测试新的技术和工具，以及展示他们的编码天赋和技术能力。优秀的作品集可以帮助求职者跨越关键的第一道障碍:获得面试机会。

Web Development Degrees & Concentrations

Matching Web Developer Career Goals to Web Development Degrees

Career Goals & Educational Needs Certificate Associate Bachelor Master's Online

I am currently working in the computer or Internet industry, but I would like to learn advanced principles, theories and concepts for developing web pages.

I need a formal degree in web development, but I don't have the time or money to get a bachelor's degree. I want something that will teach me only what I need to know without being required to take loads of general education classes.

我想获得的教育，将充分准备我的实践和理论的web开发概念，并为我以后的职业生涯的研究生教育提供一个跳板。

我想在网络开发方面获得一个学位或证书，但我需要灵活性，根据自己的时间表上课，并能够按照自己的节奏学习。

我只是想学习如何编程，构建和设计网页，我想尽快学会这一点。我不需要学位，只要能教会我如何创建网站的东西就行了。

Web Development Degree Levels

Students looking to acquire formal education in web development have four typical avenues available: certificate, associate, bachelor's or master's degrees. Professional requirements and goals, as well as the student's background, will help dictate which path to take. The following section will give a brief overview of each of the four educational possibilities and what students can expect when enrolled.

Web Development Certificates

The certificate option is designed for targeted educational training and is intended for students who need practical and fundamental knowledge relating to web development. Prior programming and computer technology experience can be helpful, but may not be required. Some certificate programs may even serve as a stepping stone to an associate degree in web development.

Programs lengths can last from a few months to several years, depending on the course load and curriculum commitment from the student. Potential classes include:

Introduction to Coding

This class provides a foundation in computer programming and teaches the basic principles of how computers use software.

Skills Gained

  • Learning programming basics, such as syntax, functions and code structure

  • Understanding of hexadecimal and binary numbers

  • Fundamentals of computer networks

JavaScript Programming

基于基本的网页编程，如HTML, JavaScript是一种更高级的网页编程语言，它允许创建交互式网页。

Skills Gained

  • Designing a web application

  • Implementation and testing client and server solutions

  • Learning user-interface principles

HTML Programming

Students will learn the basic language of the Internet, including the theoretical principles of HTML and fluency in the HTML programming language.

Skills Gained

  • Syntax and principles of HTML coding

  • How to embed other web programming languages

  • The ability to create web pages with desired elements and requirements

Intro to Web Design

This course teaches students about all elements needed to successfully create a web page. From computer hardware requirements to principles of computer networking to commonly used Internet coding languages, students will gain an overall understanding of web page design.

Skills Gained

  • How web page design elements translate to hardware requirements

  • The interaction of several web programming languages and how they produce desired web pages

  • Maintaining and updating web pages

Associate Degrees in Web Development

对于有抱负的web开发人员来说，副学士学位是很受欢迎的。通常持续两年，副学士学位也可以作为未来学士学位的基础。除了学习广泛的网络开发、计算机科学和信息技术概念外，学生还将参加通识教育课程，以获得全面的教育。

Most associate web developer programs will cover common subjects, such as these:

Website Graphics

This focuses on graphics and how they're used in website design. Both aesthetic and technical considerations will be discussed.

Skills Gained

  • Industry standard graphic formats

  • Compatibility issues between web browsers when displaying graphics

  • How to manipulate graphics for website use

e-Commerce

Students will learn to create websites for businesses, taking into consideration the needs unique to businesses.

Skills Gained

  • Principles of customer service websites

  • Effective web page techniques for marketing

  • Create effective electronic storefronts for businesses

Web Page Multimedia

In addition to the use of graphics, students will learn about animation, video and objects and how they can be used when creating websites.

Skills Gained

  • Manipulation of multimedia for effective web page presentation

  • Overview of different types of multimedia

  • When and how certain types of multimedia should and can be used

Database Management

An introduction to database concepts, principles and design. Computer science concepts will be covered.

Skills Gained

  • Familiarity with SQL for database management

  • Understanding the underlying computer science principles of databases and how they work

  • Identification and experience with different database platforms

Web Development Bachelor's Degrees

A bachelor's degree provides a comprehensive education for web development and design, as well as an extensive general education background. The typical bachelor's degree takes four years of full-time study to complete and covers a variety of subjects, such as the four listed below:

Website Usability

This course teaches students the basic principles of what makes a website easy to use.

Skills Gained

  • How we obtain and interpret information

  • Strategies for designing websites in an organized way for ease of use

  • Learning about web interface technologies and how they can be implemented

Social Media and Collaboration

Students are exposed to web-based interaction and collaboration technologies and then learn how to apply those technologies to a given objective or purpose.

Skills Gained

  • Differentiating between Web 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0

  • Learning how collaboration online services work

  • The fundamentals of social media communications

Optimizing Websites

Techniques used to improve web traffic, streamline efficiency and monitor website performance are covered in this class.

Skills Gained

  • How to optimize websites for a given goal, such as marketing

  • How to secure a website based on its purpose

  • Methods used to monitor websites and quantify its performance

Advanced Web Design

本课程将教授复杂和先进的网络创建技术。网站过程从开始到结束也将解释。

Skills Gained

  • How to utilize a storyboard to plan a website

  • Website creation within a budget

  • Techniques and tools for monitoring a website's performance

Master's Web Development Degrees

The master's degree is generally the highest degree an individual can receive in web development. This is well suited for web developers who seek advanced or specialized knowledge, or those who are already in a computer technology related industry but would like to shift their focus to web development.

Program lengths vary but many master's degrees may be obtained in under two years. Classes available vary depending on the program and the particular classes chosen by the individual student; however, the following classes are among the most common.

Content Management Systems

本课程解释内容管理系统如何工作，以及如何使用它们来简化web内容的创建。

Skills Gained

  • The theoretical principles for creating a content management system

  • Basics of database management and creation

  • Tailoring content management system features to a given application

Digital Communications

Students will learn how communication theories apply to the digital and Internet age.

Skills Gained

  • Apply communication principles to improve website effectiveness

  • Understanding of mass media and how it's used

  • Understanding of the theoretical principles of digital communications and how they work

Web Development for Servers

Creation of web applications for servers using specialized programming languages.

Skills Gained

  • Utilizing programs such as PHP and SQL to create server web applications

  • Web application security

  • Implementation of server principles when developing server based web applications

Capstone Project

The final step before completing the master's degree, the capstone project pulls together major concepts covered in prior classes to provide an opportunity to demonstrate the students' understanding of web development.

Skills Gained

  • Be able to manage a web project from start to finish

  • Work on a website project applying real-world principles and considerations

  • Handle all aspects of website creation from design to monitoring and maintenance

Components of a Successful Web Developer Career: Skills, Tools, and Technology

Skills

Central to the success of a web developer are strong technical coding skills, and how to implement them within the context of Internet conventions and web applications. Beyond technical expertise, web developers must also have the right blend of soft skills in the workplace, including the ability to communicate clearly as well as a mindset geared to analytical problem-solving. Below is a list of common technical skills and competency areas that are important in web development.

HTML.

Not a programming language, but the foundational element of any website. Includes the core elements of how a page should look.

Cascading Style Sheets (CSS).

CSS manages the way a page looks and serves as the guiding style instructions for a website—from fonts to color.

CSS框架。

CSS frameworks are used to structure and develop websites. They provide custom style guides that are used to help developers maintain industry best practices. Examples include Bootstrap and Foundation.

JavaScript.

A programming language that controls how websites and dynamic web applications operate.

Responsive Web Design.

Modern websites must adapt to mobile device use, requiring an understanding of responsive web design.

Version Control.

When building a site, developers must manage the progress of their projects. Version control software, such as Git, allows developers to maintain and track changes to their code.

Browser Development Tools.

Web developers need to understand how pages are rendered in a browser in order to identify bugs and improve performance.

Testing.

When coding, bugs will be introduced into the system. Web developers should have familiarity with testing processes used to identify those bugs, and software frameworks such as Jasmine.

Programming Languages.

Depending on their professional specialty, web developers should be proficient in programming languages and frameworks such as Ruby on Rails, Python, or PHP.

Certifications are ubiquitous in the information technology industry. Once regarded as the standard-bearer for professional development and credibility, the thinking about credentials is slowly shifting. Employers typically do not regard them as highly as experience, and they are not required to get a job. Nonetheless, certifications do offer useful professional content, and web developers can use certification programs to enhance knowledge and gain expert status in a particular area of development or with a specific product. Following are a few of the available certifications:

Tools and Technology

In building websites and web applications, web developers rely on a variety of tools for each step of the process. The below details major categories of technology that developers may use on a day-to-day basis.

Database Management Software:

Software application that is used to create, manage, modify, store and extract data from a database.

Examples:
  • Hadoop
  • MySQL
  • PostgreSQL
Editors:

Text-based editors are used for writing, storing and editing code.

Examples:
  • Text++
  • Atom
  • Vim
Source Control:

用于管理代码开发的软件，允许开发人员在应用程序开发期间跟踪和删除对源代码的更改。

Examples:
  • Git
  • Bazaar
  • Subversion
Integrated Development Environment:

用于促进软件开发的软件应用程序。通常包括源代码编辑器、自动化和调试工具以及图形用户界面。

Examples:
  • NetBeans
  • DreamWeaver
  • Aptana
Frameworks:

Software frameworks are used to support website, application, and resource development with particular programming languages.

Examples:
  • Zend
  • Code Igniter
  • Django
Object-Oriented Software:

Programming languages used in the development of websites and applications.

Examples:
  • C++
  • Python
  • Java
Web Platform Software:

Web application frameworks provide a default structure for building websites, databases, web applications or web services.

Examples:
  • Ruby on Rails
  • Drupal
  • JavaScript
Debugging Software:

Software used to manage coding issues and identify and remove bugs from a website, application or computer system.

Examples:
  • Firebug
  • Xdebug
  • Insight

Career Trends in Web Development

In terms of the demand for IT skills, web development is near the top of the list. In a 2015 industry report, 28 percent of respondents reported that web development was the most important skill they needed for their organizations. There is an insatiable need for web applications in today's information-driven economy, and as industries such as mobile, big data, cloud computing, security converge, both established companies and start-ups are hard-pressed to find talented developers to meet business demands. A talent gap exists across web development, particularly for Java developers and application developers, according to HR services provider Ranstad. It should come as no surprise the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 20 percent career growth in the field between 2012 and 2022.

Related Careers

Employers across every industry, notes Robert Half Technology, are seeking developers of all sorts: web, software, and mobile. Individuals with programming skills in .NET, PHP and responsive design skills are in particularly high demand. Below is a list of web development careers that are growing and offer opportunities for individuals with the appropriate skills and experience.

User Experience Designer

用户体验设计师(UX设计师)在科技行业是一个相对较新的角色。这些人的任务是理解一个技术产品或网站给用户的感觉。具有用户分析、架构建模和原型设计的技能，用户体验设计师开发网站或产品布局和规格。Design-conscious companies such as Apple are at the forefront of a movement in the technology industry creating massive demand for talented UX designers.

Mobile Application Developer

根据2015年计算机世界行业调查，移动应用开发技能是IT技能中最受欢迎的。移动应用程序开发人员设计和构建在移动设备上使用的网站和应用程序，比如iPhone。移动行业对具有前端开发人才和后端集成技能的个人的需求正在增加。Gartner Inc.和红帽公司(Red Hat)的调查都预测，到2017年底，全国范围内的移动开发者将严重短缺。

Web Administrator

作为技术部门的长期角色，web管理员具有互联网协议(如HTTP, TCP/IP)和web技术的经验。他们在web服务中工作，管理公司内部和外部的网页;识别并纠正服务器或网页问题;执行应用程序数据备份;并监控网络系统，如防火墙。

Information Architect

信息架构涉及网站上的信息是如何组织的，以及网站如何有效地访问和交流这些信息。通过了解受众和业务需求，信息架构师可以在考虑可用性、用户需求和整体设计的基础上，定义网站的结构和导航。信息架构是一个迅速崛起的领域，它将编程的技术专长与用户体验结合起来，以实现可用性最佳实践。

Database Developer

数据分析——或者说大数据——为开发和编程专业人士创造了许多职业机会。越来越多的公司依靠数据分析来做出业务决策，因此需要具有专门编程技能的个人来管理和解释这些信息。使用Microsoft SQL Server或Oracle等数据库程序，数据库开发人员设计用于电子商务的后端网站集成和应用程序，并开发数据库结构。计算机科学或相关领域的学士学位优先，雇主通常会寻找具有互联网技术经验的个人。

Spotlight Careers

The thriving tech industry is creating new career opportunities within web design and application development. The increasing importance of responsive design on mobile devices, the rise of social media, the adoption of online shopping and e-commerce, cloud computing, and managed services (e.g. online banking) have all spurred demand for skilled and qualified web development professionals. Below are a few spotlight web development careers that span business to design, and development to user experience.

Front-End Developers

Median salary:$90,000

Front-end designers combine knowledge of user interface best practices with CSS and programming skills to design functional, appealing websites and mobile-based applications. With an eye for clean design, front-end developers translate technical requirements into user-friendly websites and applications. Job growth is projected to surpass 20 percent between 2012 and 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics; front-end developers with some back-end knowledge will likely be in the greatest demand.

Software Developer

Median salary:$110,875

Software developers are detail-oriented problem solvers who have a foundational understanding of programming languages and frameworks. They develop software programs and applications, and often serve in project management roles, directing an entire development process from planning to coding to product release. A bachelor's degree is typically preferred, but candidates with an associate degree and technical experience can also succeed in the field. Demand is surging nationwide, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting 23 percent growth in the field by 2022 and 45 percent within the computer systems design industry.

E-Commerce Analyst

Median salary:$102,875

Combining analytical and marketing skills with experience in Internet technology, e-commerce analysts identify business needs and user requirements, and make recommendations for the design and implementation of e-commerce solutions on websites. A bachelor's degree in computer science or marketing (with IT experience) is typically required, but companies seeking high-level analysts traditionally prefer candidates with an MBA. The need for analysts is on the upswing, with 43 percent job growth projected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics between 2012 and 2022.

Job Growth, Prospects, and Outlook for Web Developers

在谷歌、Facebook和Twitter等科技巨头的引领下，对创新网络应用和技术的需求正推动着网络开发领域的招聘前景。健康的创业产业和电子商务、移动、社交媒体、大数据、网络安全等新兴领域的扩张也在推动增长。罗致恒富科技公司特别指出，酒店和金融服务预计将成为web开发人员的热门行业，因为这两个行业都需要为客户提供可靠、安全的在线服务。

相关职业能赚多少钱?

开发是一个热门话题——无论是软件、web应用程序、网站、移动应用程序还是计算机硬件。根据ComputerWorld 2015年的调查，一些最受欢迎的IT技能包括应用程序开发、安全性和数据库开发。在这些领域拥有经验和技能的个人年薪可以超过10万美元。Below is a list of some of the top paying related careers”

Related Occupations: What You Need to Know

就业研究也得出了同样的结论:具有编程和发展技能的个人受到高度重视。A degree in web development can position graduates for career success not only in that specific field, but also across other professional areas, such as the following:

Computer Programmer
8%
Salary

$82,690

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Network Systems Administrators
12%
Salary

$79,770

Education and Training:

Bachelor's Degree

Computer Network Architects
15%
Salary

$100,710

Education and Training:

Bachelor's Degree

Computer Hardware Engineers
7%
Salary

$110,650

Education and Training:

Bachelor's Degree

Computer Systems Manager
11.70%
Salary

$136,280

Education and Training:

Bachelor's Degree

Networking Support Analyst
6.9%
Salary

$66,140

Education and Training:

Associate Degree

Information Security Analyst
37%
Salary

$91,600

Education and Training:

Bachelor's Degree

Graphic Designer
7%
Salary

$50,670

Education and Training:

Bachelor's Degree

Web Development Degree & Web Developer Career Resources

Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)

作为世界上最大的非营利性计算协会，ACM的使命是帮助专业人员在计算机世界的教育和职业发展机会。

IEEE Computer Society

When it comes to computers and the Internet, the IEEE Computer Society is at the forefront, providing professional development and educational programs to its members, as well as information to help promote and advance technology.

International Web Association (IWA)

A leading non-profit organization dedicated to establishing certification, ethical and instructional standards for web developers and other web professionals.

Webmonkey

An online site filled with tools to help web developers create websites. From software to glossaries to tutorials, this site provides information to guide web developers in creating online content.

WebProfessionals.org

This is a membership-based organization that facilitates networking between its members. Additionally, WebProfessionals.org provides several certifications for web professionals.

Related Careers at a Glance

How to Become a Web Designer
Software Engineering Degrees & Careers
How to Become a Computer Programmer
Become Team
Become Team
Contributing Writer

Latest Posts

See all Posts
EMT and Paramedic Salary In the U.S

Learn how much money you can make as a paramedic or EMT, how average salaries vary across states, and how much training costs.

Become Team/ July 28, 2022 / 4 min read
How to Become a Medical Transcriptionist
Become Team
July 28, 2022
Pharmacy Technician Salary in the U.S
Become Team
July 28, 2022

LearnHowToBecome.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

在几分钟内找到你想要的节目。

View the most relevant programs for your interests and compare them by tuition, acceptance rate, and other factors important to you.