When it comes to web development–or anything tech–New York City is a leader in jobs, innovation, and investment, which makes it an excellent place to work. On its “Technology and Media Industry” web page, NYC International Business insists, “New York City is the fastest-growing tech hub in the United States.” It reports that the New York City tech sector supports more than 290,000 jobs and has experienced an 18% growth rate in tech over the past decade. The organization explains, “The City has a digital hub that helps companies in the tech/startup world find each other, find funders, and find all of the resources they need to succeed!” According to Empire State Development, close to half the tech jobs in the state are in software and digital media.
Web development jobs will grow by 9 percent over the next decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), with more than 16,000 total job openings each year. This is more than double the average U.S. job growth rate of 4 percent, making web development a smart career choice. The agency explains that both growth in ecommerce and the increasing use of mobile devices are driving the expansion of web development. (Web Developers are needed to create websites and interfaces that are used for ecommerce and that are compatible with mobile devices.) BLS finds that more than 6,500 people are employed in web development in the New York City metropolitan area, which is the highest level in the country.
Learning web development in New York City can let you choose between many different career paths. Web Developers work on a wide variety of projects and in numerous industries. As a professional in this field, you can work on the front end, the back end, or both, and you can specialize in a particular type of development, such as mobile applications, ecommerce sites, or software systems. You can also work in almost any industry; research shows that the majority of businesses now have a website, and many of those that don’t plan to develop one.
In an NYCEDC report titled “State of the New York Economy 2024,” the NYCEDC president and CEO stresses that job prospects are strong in this city. He says, “New York City is at record-high employment. We’re the top destination in the country for young talent, with twice as many new graduates choosing us over number two, Los Angeles.” He continues, “We are a global leader in the Life Sciences, Green Economy, and Tech sectors, with an AI transformation already underway. With each passing day, we have more subway riders and tourists and fewer vacant stores and offices.” According to BLS, the annual mean wage for Web Developers in New York City is about $84,000, also much higher than average.
What New York City industries are hiring web developers?
Retail, finance, healthcare, and education are some of the biggest industries in New York City, and all offer opportunities for Web Developers. On the “Retail” page of its website, NYCEDC calls New York City “the most important retail market in the United States.” The city’s retail industry includes online retail, which is where Web Developers are needed and has become the preferred way to shop for many people. The organization states, “NYC has emerged as a leader in e-commerce, with the city’s many startups delivering a premium experience for customers. E-commerce is one of the fastest-growing retail subsectors in NYC, with the city now home to 300+ startups.” The National Retail Federation reports that New York’s retail sector directly employs 1.7 million people, with more than 260,000 retail establishments.
Just as more and more people are utilizing online retail stores, a growing number are using websites and web applications for all their financial needs, like paying bills, making investments, applying for loans, or managing accounts. These websites and applications are created and maintained by Web Developers. New York City is a finance hub, according to NYC International Business. On the “Finance Industry” page of its website, it says, “New York City is the world's most sophisticated and diverse financial center. Home to 45 Fortune 500 companies, NYC boasts the deepest capital pools, the finest international talent, and an administration that is committed to strengthen the city's financial base.” The organization reports that more than 330,000 people are employed in New York City’s finance industry.
Websites have also become an important part of healthcare. For example, it’s common for patients to be able to make appointments, pay bills, and view their healthcare information through online patient portals. Web Developers also make telemedicine possible, which is where people can message or meet with healthcare providers remotely. New York City has the biggest healthcare system in the country, according to NYCEDC, with more than 800,000 people employed. According to the New York Alliance for Careers in Healthcare, the healthcare sector comprises 18 percent of the New York City economy.
Like so many other industries, education has been transformed by digital technology in recent years. A significant percentage of students now learn remotely, and there is a strong need for Web Developers in this field to create online learning platforms. According to “Academia in New York City: Shaping the Future of NYC’s Economy,” which is a recent NYCEDC report, more than 140,000 people are employed in higher education alone in New York City, which is approximately 3% of New York City jobs.
Does a web developer need to know how to code?
There are content management systems and website-building applications that you can use to build a website without coding; however, if you want to be a Web Developer, you’ll need to learn to code. Coding is at the heart of what Web Developers do; it's with various coding languages that they build the structure and function that make up a web page or web application. That makes it a necessary skill. According to Stack Overflow’s 2024 Developer Survey, JavaScript is the most popular programming language for developers, used by more than 64% of survey respondents. SQL is next, followed by HTML/CSS, and then Python. The precise coding languages that you’ll need to learn as a Web Developer will depend on the type of development you want to do. For instance, Front End Developers typically rely on HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, while Back End Developers are more likely to use Python, Java, and PHP.
How long does it take to learn web development?
Learning web development can take some time. Many students find that they are able to learn certain development skills within weeks or months but that it often takes a year or more to really master their skills and develop the experience to use them in a professional capacity. If you enroll in a college degree program, you should plan to spend about four years of full-time study. A bootcamp or certificate course at a career-focused technical school will be quicker. These types of classes are designed to get you career-ready in a much shorter amount of time, usually six months or less.
Writing on the Stack Overflow blog in an article titled “Play the Long Game When Learning to Code,” Programmer Daniel Chae talks about learning coding and other programming skills. He advises students to “play the long game” because it’s important to build a strong foundation. He explains, “The best programmers aren’t in a rush to memorize every bit of syntax, but instead, focus on real, sustainable progress. They know each programming concept builds off of another one, and they don’t move on to another concept until they’ve understood the current one.”
Is it hard to learn web development?
Web development is a technical field, and many people find it challenging, particularly if they don’t have any existing coding skills. Moreover, becoming a Web Developer involves constant problem-solving, which means that you’re likely to face regular challenges throughout your career. However, experienced Web Developers point out that the challenge involved also makes this job rewarding since there is a lot of fulfillment from successfully solving web development challenges.
Most experts stress that practice is one of the keys to mastering web development, particularly coding. One tech journalist interviewed more than 200 Programmers and also learned to code himself. He wrote an article on the Tim Ferriss blog titled “Ten Lessons I Learned While Teaching Myself to Code,” where he discusses some of the insights he gained. He says that one of most important things he learned was the importance of practicing every day. He writes, “When I was doing a bit of coding every day, I found I could much more quickly grasp key concepts. But if I stopped for a few days, I’d come back to work on a coding project, and I’d have forgotten a shocking amount of basic stuff.”
While there are lots of web development resources online that can help you learn, most people find that a formal class is an important part of the learning process. By taking a class, you can set yourself up for success; you’ll learn the right way to work and can avoid developing bad habits.
