Master's in Data Science

  • Top Schools
    • 23 Great Schools with Master’s Programs in Data Science
    • 22 Top Schools with Master’s in Information Systems Degrees
    • 25 Top Schools with Master’s in Business Analytics Programs
  • Online Programs
    • Online Data Science Degree Programs
    • 2022 Guide to Online Bachelor’s in Computer Science Degree Programs
    • Online Masters in Business Analytics Programs
    • Online Masters in Information Systems Programs
    • Online Masters in Computer Engineering
    • Online Masters in Computer Science
    • Online Masters in Cybersecurity
    • Online Certificate Programs in Analytics
  • By State
    • Alabama
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • California
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Hawaii
    • Idaho
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Kentucky
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Minnesota
    • Mississippi
    • Missouri
    • Montana
    • Nebraska
    • Nevada
    • New Hampshire
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • North Carolina
    • North Dakota
    • Ohio
    • Oklahoma
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • Rhode Island
    • South Carolina
    • South Dakota
    • Tennessee
    • Texas
    • Utah
    • Vermont
    • Virginia
    • Washington
    • Washington, D.C.
    • West Virginia
    • Wisconsin
  • Related Degrees
    • Data Science Bachelor Degrees
    • Data Science Certificate Programs for 2022
    • Master’s in Accounting Analytics
    • Master’s in Applied Statistics
    • Master’s in Business Analytics
    • Master’s in Business Intelligence
    • Master’s in Geospatial Science & GIS
    • Master’s in Health Informatics
    • Master’s in Library Science
    • Master’s in Public Policy Data Analytics
    • MBA in Analytics/Data Science
    • PhD in Data Science Programs
    • Programs Outside the US
  • Careers
    • Business Analyst
    • Business Analyst Salary
    • Computer Engineer
    • Computer Scientist
    • Data Analyst
    • Data Analyst Salary Guide
    • Data Architect
    • Data Engineer
    • Data Mining Specialist
    • Data Scientist
    • Data Scientist Salary
    • Marketing Analyst
    • Quantitative Analyst
    • Financial Analyst
    • Information Security Analyst
    • Statistician
    • Digital Marketer
  • Online Courses
    • Your Guide for Online Data Science Courses in 2021
    • Online Data Analytics Courses
    • Machine Learning Courses
    • Blockchain Courses
    • Online Digital Marketing Courses
    • FinTech Courses
    • Financial Analysis Courses
    • Cybersecurity Courses
    • Business Analytics Courses
    • Artificial Intelligence Courses
    • UX/UI Courses
  • Bootcamps
    • Data Science Bootcamps
    • Data Analytics Bootcamps
    • Coding Bootcamps
    • Are Coding Bootcamps Worth it?
    • Cybersecurity Bootcamps
    • UX/UI Bootcamps
    • FinTech Bootcamps
    • Digital Marketing Bootcamps
  • Learning
    • What is Data Analytics?
    • What is Business Analytics?
    • What Is Cyber Security?
    • What is Computer Engineering?
    • What is Computer Science?
    • What is FinTech?
    • Best Programming Language to Learn
    • Is Computer Science a Good Major?
    • What Can You Do With a Computer Science Degree?
    • What Is a Neural Network?
    • What is an Information System?
    • Learn Data Science Online
    • Benefits of Business Intelligence Software
    • Computer Science vs. Computer Engineering
    • Cyber Security vs. Computer Science
    • Data Analyst vs Data Scientist
    • Data Analytics vs. Business Analytics
    • Data Science vs. Machine Learning
  • Resources
  • About 2U

How to Become a Web Developer in 2022 | 4-Step Guide

Perhaps you’re just entering college and thinking about pursuing a major in computer science—or maybe you already have a career, but are seeking a new challenge. Regardless of where you are on your journey, you may be wondering what it takes to become a web developer and what you can expect once you’re able to secure your first job in the field.

To help you begin your job search or navigate a job transition, we’ve created a guide on how to become a web developer, including education requirements, potential salaries and general tips to keep in mind along the way. Everyone’s path is different and you can follow a number of routes into web development, but the information below can help you better understand the types of challenges that lie ahead.

Let’s get started.

18.205.176.39

ad
Sponsored Schools

Sponsored

Learn More

Southern Methodist University

Online Coding Boot Camp
SMU Coding Boot Camp teaches you specialized skills to tap into the web development industry. The curriculum starts with computer science fundamentals then dives into the front end and back end.Learn More
Sponsored Program
Learn More

University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley Coding Boot Camp
Berkeley Coding Boot Camp is a 12-week, full-time or 24-week, part-time web development course designed to help students gain the skills to enter or advance their career in web development.Learn More
Sponsored Program
Learn More

Rice University

Rice Coding Boot Camp
Engage in real-world projects while working closely with peers to gain proficiency in the theory and application of coding.Learn More
Sponsored Program

Sponsored

What Does a Web Developer Do?

Web developers build and maintain websites and web applications. While seemingly straightforward, this overarching objective encompasses a number of smaller responsibilities like writing code, creating prototypes and monitoring a site’s traffic and performance. Some web developers, known as front-end developers, build the client-facing side of a website that users interact with every day. To fulfill these many responsibilities, web developers are generally proficient in several programming languages, such as HTML and JavaScript, and skilled at solving problems. Backend developers in particular focus their work on building out the server side of websites using programming languages such as Python.

Although web development has highly technical aspects, like other jobs in the tech sector, it may also call for soft skills, which we discuss below. To build an effective website, developers rely on their understanding of an organization’s mission and determine how users would best engage with the website they’re building. For this reason, web developers may gain exposure to an organization’s business strategy and big-picture thinking.

Common Steps to Becoming a Web Developer

There are different ways to become a web developer. Some aspiring web developers enter the field with a bachelor’s degree, while others start by enrolling in a coding bootcamp or self-guided course. Overall, the field of web development offers flexibility as far as education goes. Hard skills and a strong portfolio that demonstrates a candidate’s abilities may be enough to impress potential employers.

That said, people along this path tend to follow a few common steps, and understanding them can help you decide the best approach for you.

Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or a Related Field

If you’re about to enter college, earning a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field may help prepare you for a job as a web developer. While not always required, a bachelor’s degree can help you gain fundamental knowledge about the field and provide exposure to programming languages. And if you have a job or family obligations that prevent you from taking classes full time, you can enroll in a part-time program or online computer science program to make balancing school and life easier.

Not ready to go back to school? Some employers accept first-hand experience as sufficient qualification for web development roles and may not require or emphasize formal education if you have projects that demonstrate your skills.

For those looking for another route into the world of web development, an online or in-person coding bootcamp can teach you some of the fundamental skills for building websites.

Gain Relevant Skills

Technology is always improving. As new tools and languages are developed and old ones require upgrades, the skills to stay competitive as a web developer may change as well. That said, learning key programming languages like HTML, CSS and JavaScript can help you as you embark on your web development journey. After familiarizing yourself with these languages, consider learning more about client-side web development tools, client-side JavaScript frameworks and server-side web programming.

Soft skills, from communication to collaboration, may also prove valuable in this technical career. Despite what many assume, web development can involve a bit of teamwork. Before publishing a new website or code, developers may have to explain their reasoning to their teammates, who verify that their code is sound. When there are errors, developers typically exercise problem-solving skills and resilience to resolve them—in addition to keen attention to detail and creativity.

Get Your First Job as a Web Developer

While honing your skills is important, eventually it’ll come time to enter the professional world. The majority of web developers work in the computer systems design industry, but the publishing industry and self employment are also popular choices, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). You can also get a job at an advertising or consultant agency, where you’ll work with a wide range of businesses in need of new websites. You can also find a job in-house at one business and work solely for them.

Hopefully you’ll find a first job that aligns with your passions and goals, but if not, your new role is still an opportunity to develop your skills and portfolio. Gaining exposure to as many projects and tools as possible may help you find your niche and discover your interests in web development.

Consider a Master’s Degree

After completing a bachelor’s degree, you may be eager for more schooling. Some web developers pursue a master’s degree to open more job opportunities and enhance their understanding of their field. Becoming a computer and information systems manager is a common next step for web developers looking to advance their career. Organizations typically require these professionals to have a graduate degree, like a Master of Business Administration.

Web developers looking to stay in a technical role or specialize in a specific area might pursue a master’s degree in computer science. Some schools offer graduate certificates in web development, but these tend to cover fundamentals in the field and might be better suited to those without experience.

Web Development Career Outlook

Web developers can expect an 13% increase in job opportunities from 2020 to 2030, the BLS projects. Web developers earned a median annual salary of $77,200 in May 2020, according to the BLS. Depending on your experience, there are a number of web development careers available to you. We explore a few potential options below.

Entry-Level Web Developer

Web developers just embarking on their careers can expect to learn a lot on their first job. At first, entry-level developers might work on small assignments, like repairing broken code, before being assigned specific features to develop on their own. The projects they work on will likely grow in complexity over time as they gain their team’s trust.

Similar to their more experienced counterparts, entry-level web developers might find work at an agency, in the computer systems design industry or in-house at a specific company.

Full Stack Web Developer

Full stack web developers create both the client-facing side of a website and the technical architecture that helps everything run smoothly—also known as the front and back end. These individuals have a holistic understanding of the website they’re building and can oversee the entire project from start to finish.

Full stack web developers may work on prototyping and building websites, overseeing server administration or communicating with end users to determine the effectiveness of a project. They generally have a solid understanding of a number of programming languages, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Java and SQL. Like other kinds of development skills, full stack development skills can be acquired through a formal program or self-guided learning.

Front-End Web Developer

As indicated by the name, front-end web developers create the external-facing side of websites, also known as the front-end. They typically use HTML, CSS and JavaScript to build a website’s many elements, from collapsible menus to navigation buttons. If you can see it, there’s a good chance a front-end developer created it or helped create it.

In addition to knowing the coding languages, front-end developers are usually familiar with the libraries and frameworks that support them, like Bootstrap, AngularJS and jQuery. Just like other types of developers, front-end developers can acquire their coding, design and user experience skills from a variety of sources. Books, bootcamps and degree programs are just a few options.

Should I Pursue a Career in Web Development?

Deciding whether or not to pursue a career in web development is a personal decision that depends on your unique interests and circumstances. Keep in mind that building up a foundation of strong coding and problem-solving skills will likely take sustained time and effort. Like many other careers in the tech sector, web development can involve continual learning.

If you’re up for the challenge of exploring new concepts and finding creative ways to apply them, web development could be a good fit for you. With dedication, consistent effort and a commitment to the field, you can work toward a role that allows you to build immersive, well-functioning websites and applications you can take pride in.

Last updated: April 2022

Share on Facebook Share
Share on TwitterTweet
Share on LinkedIn Share

SPONSORED DATA SCIENCE PROGRAMS

UC Berkeley - Master of Information and Data Science
Sponsored Program
Syracuse University - Master of Science in Applied Data Science
Sponsored Program

SPONSORED ANALYTICS PROGRAMS

American University - Master of Science in Analytics
Sponsored Program
Syracuse University - Master of Science in Business Analytics
Sponsored Program

Online Programs

  • Online Master’s in Data Science Programs
  • Online Master’s in Business Analytics
  • Master’s in Information Systems Online
  • Online Master’s in Computer Science
  • Online Master’s in Computer Engineering
  • Online Master’s in Cybersecurity
  • Graduate Certificates in Data Science Online

Career Profiles

  • Business Analyst
  • Data Analyst
  • Data Architect
  • Data Engineer
  • Data Scientist
  • Marketing Analyst
  • Information Security
  • Quantitative Analyst
  • Statistician

Bootcamps

  • Data Science Bootcamps
  • Data Analytics Bootcamps
  • Coding Bootcamps
  • Cybersecurity Bootcamps
  • UX/UI Bootcamps
  • Fintech Bootcamps
  • Digital Marketing Bootcamps

Online Courses

  • Online Data Science Courses
  • Online Data Analytics Courses
  • Online Machine Learning Courses
  • Online Blockchain Courses
  • Online Digital Marketing Courses
  • Online Financial Analysis Courses
  • Online Cybersecurity Courses
  • Online Business Analytics Courses
  • Online Artificial Intelligence Courses
  • Online UX/UI Courses

Industry Uses

  • Biotechnology
  • Energy
  • Finance
  • Gaming and Hospitality
  • Government
  • Health Care
  • Insurance
  • Internet
  • Manufacturing
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Retail
  • Telecommunications
  • Travel and Transportation
  • Utilities
  • Food

Data Science Technologies

  • R
  • Python
  • SQL
  • Hadoop
  • Tableau

MastersInDataScience.org is owned and operated by 2U, Inc.
© 2U, Inc. 2022

About 2U | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Resources