Why learn web development?

Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. will add 16,000 web‑developer openings every year through 2033, and the median pay already tops $91,000. Whether you code the front end, back end, or both, web development lets you blend creativity with problem‑solving—and work from almost anywhere. There are lots of compelling reasons to learn web development and become a Web Developer. A career in this field can be creative, challenging, and rewarding. You can choose from a long list of different specializations, and you’re likely to enjoy a competitive salary in an in-demand field. 

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Above-average salaries in web development

Salaries for Web Developers tend to be good. BLS reports that while the median U.S. salary is only about $49,500, a Web Developer can expect to earn about $92,000 on average. Salaries in some major metropolitan areas are even higher.  In addition, certain types of web development pay more than others. For instance, a Ruby Developer is a Back End Developer who specializes in the Ruby language and earns an average of $123,000 yearly, according to Indeed. Python Developers specialize in Python, which is another language used for back end development, and also have a yearly salary of approximately $123,000. Another job that tends to pay well is that of Full Stack Developer; the average salary for this role is $126,000, as reported by Indeed.

Web development offers a promising job outlook

Websites have become an important part of engaging and interacting with customers, and experts estimate that the majority of businesses either have a website or plan to develop one. There is thus likely to be an ongoing need for web development professionals to create and maintain those websites. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Overall employment of web developers and digital designers is projected to grow 8 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations.” It explains that this translates to more than 16,000 job openings each year over that time period. 

Two drivers of this growth, according to BLS, are ecommerce and mobile devices. It says, “As retail firms keep increasing their online offerings, demand for these workers is expected to grow. In addition, the continued use of mobile devices to search the web is expected to generate demand for web developers and digital designers to create websites and interfaces that work on mobile devices with many different screen sizes.”

A high level of flexibility in web development careers

Web development jobs can also provide a lot of flexibility. Many of these roles are compatible with remote work and flexible hours. According to the 2022 Jamstack Community Survey, a survey of more than 7,000 developers by Netlify, remote work in this field is very common. The survey revealed that 83% of developers do at least half of their work remotely, and 62% work remotely almost all of the time. In “Findings from the Jamstack Community Survey 2022,” researchers conclude: “The clear response was that remote work is here to stay.”

Remote work is associated with many benefits. You won’t have to commute to an office, which can save you time and money and also be less stressful. You’ll also be able to work in a location that’s comfortable for you and on a schedule that suits you best. 

A job with challenge and variety

As a Web Developer, you’re unlikely to get bored since this job typically involves constant learning and problem-solving. Some of the challenges you might face include solving design challenges, fixing technical and coding issues, and addressing security vulnerabilities. You’ll also need to work to stay up to date with new technology, as this field is constantly evolving.

Another aspect of web development that helps keep it interesting is the fact that Web Developers work on a wide variety of projects and in numerous industries. For instance, they develop mobile applications, software systems, and ecommerce sites; they focus on the front end, the back end, or both, and they specialize in different sets of coding languages.

Web development offers an opportunity to be creative

While web development might have a reputation for involving a lot of coding and technical work, this occupation can give you opportunities to be creative, too. In a LinkedIn article titled “Why Is Creativity Essential for Web Development?” the author explains that Web Developers draw on their creative skills throughout their work process. In addition to helping developers create websites that will attract visitors, they state, “[Creativity] can help you to identify inventive approaches to optimizing performance, functionality, and usability. Moreover, creativity is key for adapting to changing technologies, trends, and user expectations. It also provides resourcefulness and flexibility to overcome challenges and constraints.”

Web development skills are transferable

Many of the skills that you’ll gain as a Web Developer can be transferred to other types of jobs, making this a great occupation if you want to keep your options open. Even if you love your job, the fact is that you’re unlikely to stay there forever. According to a BLS report, “Number of Jobs, Labor Market Experience, Marital Status, And Health For Those Born 1957-1964,” Americans change jobs an average of 12 times. Skills like coding and database knowledge that you use in web development can also be applied to a variety of other tech jobs, meaning that you’ll be better prepared for these job changes.

Experts predict that changing jobs throughout your career will become even more common in the future because technology is changing the workplace significantly and will continue to do so. 

The World Economic Forum insists that changing jobs will ultimately become a normal occurrence for most people. In an article titled “Having Many Careers Will Be the Norm, Experts Say,” it adds, “The rapid pace of change in employment will mean individuals will need to become lifelong learners to prepare them for multiple career changes during their working lives.” Gaining web development skills can be one way to prepare yourself for career changes. This can also be an excellent way for veterans to transition to civilian life, and the VA offers a variety of educational benefits for veterans who want to learn web development.