Web Developers

Career Overview

Web developers build websites, web applications, and digital experiences that people use on computers, phones, and other devices. They use programming, databases, APIs, cloud technology, cybersecurity, and AI-assisted development tools to create digital products that are fast, secure, accessible, and easy to use.

Education

A bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, computer programming, or web development is one common pathway, while a college program in computer science or a related field can also lead to this career. Building real projects, developing a strong portfolio, and gaining experience with current programming tools can be extremely valuable when looking for work.

Work Environment

Web developers work for technology companies, businesses, governments, financial organizations, media companies, and many other industries, and some work remotely or as freelancers. They collaborate with designers, software developers, cybersecurity specialists, and clients while working with cloud platforms, databases, APIs, version-control systems, and AI-assisted development tools.

Future Outlook

There will continue to be opportunities for web developers, but the field is changing quickly as AI and advanced software make some basic development tasks faster and easier. Developers who can build complex applications, connect systems, work with cloud technology, understand cybersecurity, and use AI effectively will be better positioned as the digital world continues to evolve.

Recommended High School Courses

Math
Computer Science
Business
Communication
English
Data Science
Information Tech
Data Management

Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Operations Analysis - Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
Programming - Writing computer programs for various purposes.
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Systems Evaluation - Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Communications and Media - Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Flexibility of Closure - The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
Fluency of Ideas - The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Mathematical Reasoning - The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Originality - The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
Perceptual Speed - The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Visualization - The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Design websites or web applications.
Write computer programming code.
Update website content.
Create electronic data backup to prevent loss of information.
Collaborate with others to resolve information technology issues.
Test software performance.
Resolve computer software problems.
Troubleshoot issues with computer applications or systems.
Create databases to store electronic data.
Update knowledge about emerging industry or technology trends.
Analyze project data to determine specifications or requirements.
Develop computer or information security policies or procedures.
Implement security measures for computer or information systems.
Monitor the security of digital information.
Develop specifications or procedures for website development or maintenance.
Provide customer service to clients or users.
Document design or development procedures.
Develop models of information or communications systems.
Collaborate with others to develop or implement marketing strategies.
Prepare graphics or other visual representations of information.
Provide technical support for computer network issues.
Configure computer networks.
Develop testing routines or procedures.
Recommend changes to improve computer or information systems.
Document network-related activities or tasks.
Evaluate utility of software or hardware technologies.
Provide recommendations to others about computer hardware.
Install computer hardware.
Conduct research to gain information about products or processes.
Develop diagrams or flow charts of system operation.

Schools

Academy Of Art University

Adams State University

Albright College

Alfred State College

Arizona State University

Atlantic Technical Colleg...

Baker College Online

Ball State University

Bellevue University

Bluefield College

Boston University

Bradley University

Brigham Young University-...

Broward College

Bryan University

Capella University

Central Arizona College

Central New Mexico Commun...

Champlain College

Clark State Community Col...

Colorado Technical Univer...

Columbia College Chicago

Columbus State Community...

Dakota County Technical C...

Dallas College West Dalla...

Daytona State College

Des Moines Area Community...

Dickinson State Universit...

Duquesne University

Durham Technical Communit...

East Central University -...

East Stroudsburg Universi...

Eastern Florida State Col...

Everett Community College

Fayetteville State Univer...

Francis Tuttle Technology...

Full Sail University

Gulf Coast State College

Gwynedd Mercy University

Hamilton College

Illinois State University

Independence University

Jefferson State Community...

Kentucky State University

Lesley University

Liberty University

Loyola University - Chica...

Lynn University

Massachusetts Bay Communi...

Mount Mercy University

New York University

Palm Beach State College-...

Prince William Sound Coll...

Purdue University-main Ca...

Sacramento City College

Simmons University

Southern New Hampshire Un...

Southwestern University

St. Philip’s College- Mar...

Stark State College- Alli...

Stark State College- Down...

Sullivan University- Lexi...

Sullivan University- Loui...

Suny At Morrisville

Suny Broome Community Col...

Suny Finger Lakes Communi...

Suny Plattsburgh

Suny Rockland Community C...

University Of California-...

University Of Charleston

University Of Maine- Fort...

University Of Phoenix

University Of Redlands

University Of St. Francis

Waubonsee Community Colle...

Academy Of Learning- H...

Academy Of Learning- R...

Canadian Business Coll...

Cdi College- Burnaby C...

Cdi College- Calgary N...

Cdi College- Calgary S...

Cdi College- Edmonton...

Cdi College- Mississau...

Cdi College- Scarborou...

Cdi College- Surrey Ca...

Cdi College- Vancouver...

Cdi College- Winnipeg...

Centre For Arts And Te...

Conestoga College- Cam...

Durham College- Oshawa...

Fanshawe College- Lond...

Lakehead University- O...

Langara College

Lasalle College

Lasalle College- Montr...

Montreal College Of In...

North Island College-...

Nova Scotia Community...

Queen's College

Robertson College- Mai...

Stanford International...

Thompson Rivers Univer...

Vancouver Career Colle...

Concordia University- L...

USA

Canada

Potential Scholarships

5 Strong Scholarship

Agnes M. Lindsay Scholars...

Approx Salary Expectation

Low End:

$48,000.00 /yr

Avg/Med:

$93,000.00 /yr

High End:

$162,000.00 /yr

Related Careers

Computer Systems Analyst

Software Developer

Computer Systems Analyst

Journalist

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/.
Trend Analysis - Explorer the Market, Labour Market Information, Government of Canada https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/trend-analysis.
O*NET OnLine, National Center for O*NET Development, https://www.onetonline.org/.