Web Developer Salary: Is it a Lucrative Career? Find Out Now!

Web development plays a crucial role in creating and maintaining the online presence of businesses and individuals. Whether it’s creating a simple blog or a complex e-commerce platform showcasing a diverse range of products, web developers use a variety of tools and languages to build functional, user-friendly websites. With increasing digitalization and the concomitant need to create new websites and smooth the functioning of existing portals, web developers play an essential role in every aspect of the web world.  This article explores the roles and responsibilities of web developers, the skills required for the job, and the web developer salary for different roles pertaining to the development and maintenance of websites.

What is Web Development?

Web development refers to the process of creating websites and web applications. In essence, it involves a combination of web design, content creation, coding, and database management. Web developers are the professionals who perform these tasks, ensuring that websites are visually appealing, function smoothly, and provide a great user experience. They collaborate with graphic designers, product managers, and other stakeholders to bring a website to life, continuously maintaining and updating it to meet user needs and industry standards.

Web development can be divided into front-end development, which focuses on the user interface, and back-end development, which deals with server-side logic and database interactions. For instance, front-end developers use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create the visual aspects of a website. On the other hand, back-end developers work with languages such as PHP, Python, and Ruby to handle the behind-the-scenes functionality.

Roles and Responsibilities of Web Developers

Web developers wear many hats and have as many responsibilities. Their primary tasks include:

1. Coding

Web developers write the code that powers websites. They use programming languages like HTML for structuring content, CSS for styling, and JavaScript for interactivity. This is a significant job because efficient coding is the reason that websites are functional, responsive, and accessible across different devices and browsers.

2. Website Development

Developers build websites from the ground up. For instance, they create site layouts, integrate graphics, and ensure that all elements work together seamlessly. This includes working on both the front-end and back-end aspects of a website.

3. Website Testing

Before launching a website, developers perform thorough testing. For example, they check for bugs, compatibility issues, and performance problems. Consequently, it ensures that the website runs smoothly and provides a good user experience.

4. Debugging

When issues do, however, arise, web developers troubleshoot and debug the code. This involves identifying the source of the problem and implementing fixes to restore functionality.

ALSO READ: Here’s How to Leverage Object-Oriented Programming in C++

5. Website Maintenance

After a website goes live, developers continue to maintain it. They update content, fix bugs, and implement new features as needed. Regular maintenance is therefore essential to keep the website secure and up-to-date.

6. Design Implementation

Web developers collaborate with designers to implement their vision. In order to do this, they translate design mockups into functional websites, ensuring that the final product matches the designer’s specifications.

7. Database Management

Websites often need to store and retrieve data. Therefore, the tasks of web developers also entail managing databases using systems such as MySQL or MongoDB. In effect, this ensures that data is stored securely and can be accessed efficiently.

8. Web Application Security

Security has always been a top priority in web development. Therefore, the job of web developers includes the crucial task of implementing measures to protect websites from threats, whether it is hacking or data breaches. This can also include using HTTPS, setting up firewalls, and regularly updating software.

9. Software Documentation

Developers create documentation for their codes, which in turn helps other developers understand and maintain the codebase. As with every job, good documentation can ensure long-term project success.

10. Backup Procedures

To prevent data loss, developers implement backup procedures. This involves regularly saving copies of the website and its data, ensuring that it can be restored in case of an emergency.

Skills Required for Web Developers

Apart from a host of common skills such as analytical thinking, creativity, time management, collaboration, adaptability, and detail-orientedness, web developers also need some of the key technical skills. After all, the right set of skills and experience can play a crucial role in deciding your web developer salary.

1. Proficiency in Coding

• CSS controls the appearance of elements, including colors, fonts, and spacing
• PHP is a server-side scripting language used for dynamic content and database interactions powers many content management systems and web applications
• JavaScript adds interactivity to websites; it can manipulate content, respond to user actions, and create dynamic effects.
• HTML is the backbone of web content, HTML structures the content, defining elements such as headings, paragraphs, and links

2. Front-End Development

Experience with front-end libraries and frameworks such as React.js, Angular, Vue.js, or jQuery is crucial for creating dynamic and engaging user interfaces.

3. Back-End Development

Familiarity with back-end frameworks such as Node.js, Express.js, Django, Flask, or Spring Boot is necessary to handle server-side logic, database interactions, and application functionality.

4. Database Management

Proficiency in using database systems like MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, or Firebase is essential. Beyond that, web developers must also understand SQL for querying and manipulating data is critical.

5. Proficiency in Web Development Tools

Knowledge of development tools like npm, Yarn, Webpack, Babel, and ESLint helps streamline project setup, manage dependencies, and optimize code performance.

6. Expertise in Security Measurements

Prioritizing web security is paramount to protect user data and maintain website integrity. Implementing measures like HTTPS, input validation, and secure authentication is crucial.

7. SEO Skills

Lastly, a well-optimized website ranks higher in search engine results, attracting more visitors. Therefore, SEO knowledge can be an important factor in boosting your profile as a web development professional.

ALSO READ: Java Programming Language Explained: Everything You Need to Know

Web Development Jobs & Web Developer Salary 

Web development offers a variety of career paths, each with its own responsibilities and different web developer salary expectations. 

1. Front-End Developer

Front-end developers focus on the user interface. In short, they create the visual elements users interact with, ensuring a seamless and engaging experience. Javascript, CSS. HTML is the key element that front-end developers work with. In essence, the tasks and responsibilities of a front-end developer include:

• Designing and implementing UI components
• Ensuring cross-browser compatibility
• Optimizing performance for different devices
• Collaborating with designers to translate mockups into code
• Implementing responsive design techniques

Salary: The average web developer salary of a front-end engineer is ₹6,06,000 per annum. However, with a senior front-end position, such as the lead front-end engineer,  you can earn up to ₹1,700,000 per annum.

2. Back-End Web Developer

Back-end developers handle server-side functions. In contrast to front-end developers, back-end developers work on the parts of a website that users don’t see, such as databases, storage, and server management. The tasks of a back-end developer include:

• Writing server-side code using languages such as PHP, Python, or Ruby
• Managing databases and data storage solutions
• Creating and maintaining APIs
• Performing quality assurance testing
• Ensuring the website’s security and scalability
• Troubleshooting and fixing server-side issues

Salary: The average web developer salary of a back-end developer is around ₹8,50,000 per annum, with the base pay ranging between ₹500,000 to 1,200,000 per year. 

3. Full-Stack Web Developer

Full-stack developers work on both the front-end and back-end of a website. Given the range of their role, they have a broad skill set because they can handle all aspects of web development. Therefore, this job requires expertise in various programming languages and tools for both functionalities. Hence, they must juggle multiple tasks like designing interfaces, writing code, managing databases, and ensuring everything works seamlessly together to deliver a smooth user experience. The typical tasks of a full-stack developer entail: 

• Designing and implementing both client-side and server-side architecture
• Writing and maintaining full-stack code
• Managing databases and servers
• Collaborating with designers and other developers
• Performing testing and debugging

Salary: The average web developer salary for a full-stack developer is  ₹7,70,000 per annum.

4. Webmaster

A webmaster is the digital caretaker of a website. They oversee its creation, maintenance, and overall performance. Hence, depending on the job profile, this role can encompass a wide range of responsibilities, from managing content and design to handling technical aspects like server administration and security. Rather than specific specialized skill sets, like that of a front-end or a back-end developer, a webmaster needs to have the overall operational understanding required for ensuring smooth functioning of websites. Typically, their job includes: 

• Performing regular maintenance and updates
• Troubleshooting website issues
• Managing server configurations and performance
• Ensuring website security
• Monitoring website traffic and performance metrics

Salary: The average web developer salary for webmasters is approximately ₹406,260 per year.

ALSO READ: A Beginner’s Guide to Coding Languages: All You Need to Know

With the growing number of websites used for a multitude of purposes, the demand for skilled web developers continues to rise in today’s increasingly digitized world. Hence, it’s no wonder that it would provide many job opportunities with attractive web developer salary. For instance, as of July this year, LinkedIn shows 15,000+ openings for web developers, with Naukri.com and Glassdoor listing 3,324 and 18,956 job opportunities, respectively. 

So, if you’re considering a career in web development and seeking mentorship or courses, consider learning from the best. Emeritus, ranked as the number one EdTech company by TIME magazine’s World’s Top EdTech Companies of 2024, offers online information technology courses from industry leaders and experts. Joining their programs can help you become a successful web development professional. 

Write to us at content@emeritus.org