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Web Developer and Designer

Overview and Key Facts

Male web developer coding on personal computer
Education
Education
Bachelor's degree
Median Pay
Median Pay
$90,930
Job Growth
Job Growth
7.50%
(Above US Average)
Jobs in 2034
Jobs in 2034
92,500

What Do They Do?

A web developer and designer could...

 
shopping online with credit card
Create an online store to help a local business sell their products to customers around the world.
Design website layouts
Design layouts for how you'll design a new website for a new local business.
Showing client website design look
Design layouts to show a client how their new website will look.
secure computer code on screen
Write code to keep a website secure from hackers.
 
shopping online with credit card Design website layouts Showing client website design look secure computer code on screen

Overview Listen to this section

Are you interested in how a website is set up and how the website runs? As a web developer and designer you could design a website's look and feel and create the code to make sure the website works. You could set up a website for your favorite store with payment options, making sure it works with the ever growing list of browsers and devices. Do you like working behind the scenes? You could design the layout or write the supporting code for an app or website while collaborating with other web developers to complete the full scope of the website. A web developer and designer may also create graphics used in websites and manage website content and links.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfxTkIsaTYk

Do You Have the Skills and Characteristics of a Web Developer and Designer?


  1. Programming: ?
  2. Critical Thinking: ?
  3. Operations Analysis: ?
  4. Complex Problem Solving: ?
  5. Reading Comprehension: ?
More skills...

Core Tasks

Think about if you'd like the typical tasks a Web Developer and Designer might do:
  • Write supporting code for Web applications or Web sites.
  • Design, build, or maintain Web sites, using authoring or scripting languages, content creation tools, management tools, and digital media.
  • Back up files from Web sites to local directories for instant recovery in case of problems.
  • Select programming languages, design tools, or applications.
  • Evaluate code to ensure that it is valid, is properly structured, meets industry standards, and is compatible with browsers, devices, or operating systems.
  • Develop databases that support Web applications and Web sites.
  • Perform Web site tests according to planned schedules, or after any Web site or product revision.
  • Perform or direct Web site updates.
  • Maintain understanding of current Web technologies or programming practices through continuing education, reading, or participation in professional conferences, workshops, or groups.
  • Analyze user needs to determine technical requirements.
  • Renew domain name registrations.
  • Respond to user email inquiries, or set up automated systems to send responses.
  • Confer with management or development teams to prioritize needs, resolve conflicts, develop content criteria, or choose solutions.
  • Communicate with network personnel or Web site hosting agencies to address hardware or software issues affecting Web sites.
  • Collaborate with management or users to develop e-commerce strategies and to integrate these strategies with Web sites.
  • Document test plans, testing procedures, or test results.
  • Establish appropriate server directory trees.
  • Recommend and implement performance improvements.
  • Document technical factors such as server load, bandwidth, database performance, and browser and device types.
  • Develop or implement procedures for ongoing Web site revision.
  • Create Web models or prototypes that include physical, interface, logical, or data models.
  • Provide clear, detailed descriptions of Web site specifications, such as product features, activities, software, communication protocols, programming languages, and operating systems software and hardware.
  • Evaluate or recommend server hardware or software.
  • Design and implement Web site security measures, such as firewalls and message encryption.
  • Incorporate technical considerations into Web site design plans, such as budgets, equipment, performance requirements, and legal issues including accessibility and privacy.

Salary & Job Openings

Median Salary (Yearly Pay)

Tap or scroll over map to see median salaries for each state
No data available for some states (white on the map)

Future Jobs

Blast-Off:

How Will Web Developer and Designer Jobs Grow by 2034?
Projected % Growth
Rapid growth
(10% or higher)
Much faster than average
(7% - 10%)
Faster than average
(5% - 7%)
About as fast as average
(3% - 5%)
Slower than average
(0% - 3%)
Decreasing
Average of all U.S. jobs (5.3%)
Web Developer and Designer jobs (7.50%)
Source: https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm

Steps to Get There: Becoming a Web Developer and Designer

High School Subjects to Study

Aim to study the yellow-shaded subjects.
Math
Algebra 1
Geometry
Algebra 2
Pre-Calculus
Calculus
Statistics
Science
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Environmental Science
Physiology
Bio-Medical / Biotech
IT &
Engineering
Computer Science
Applied Technology
Drafting & CAD Training
Core
English
Foreign Language
Business
Psychology / Sociology

Career Pathway Listen to this section

Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education- Typical Degree Needed After High School Listen to this section

Degree
Post
high school credential
AA
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctoral or Professional Degree

Typical degree for an entry-level position: Bachelor's degree ? Types of Degrees and Credentials

Educational requirements vary for web developers and digital designers, based on work setting and other factors.

Educational requirements for web developers and digital designers range from a high school diploma to a bachelor's degree. Some employers prefer to hire web developer candidates who have a bachelor's degree in a specific field, such as computer science or programming.

Companies That Hire Web Developer and Designers

  • Agilent Technologies
  • Nelnet
  • Charles Schwab
  • Apple
  • Old Dominion Freight Line
  • Deloitte

Try it Out with an Activity or Project

STEM Activities

STEM activities are fun hands-on explorations that usually take from 10 minutes to one hour and use readily available household or classroom materials while introducing you to STEM concepts common in this career.

Science Project Ideas

Project Ideas are in-depth STEM explorations that have a strong focus on controlling variables, taking accurate measurements, and analyzing data suitable for investigating the scientific method or the engineering design process.

On the Job

Role Models

Day in the Life of a Web Developer
I think a role like this is great for people who have a creative mind and can apply that creativity to problem solving. ... Troubleshooting, problem-solving, and learning how to write cleaner, more efficient code is where you will find yourself spending most of your time. 
- Mark Himmelman, Lead Developer
"I think the best way, right, to move into the web design space, is to create somehow the online portfolio. Showcase a couple of your best work, not too many, a couple of your best work. Showcase nice little animation tricks, demonstrate a bit of search engine optimization as well and a bit of forms, online marketing and that's the best way that that person can get into web designers industry and get picked on for doing work." - Bernard, Web Designer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jcojL6zsXk

Nature of the Work

Web developers create and maintain websites. They also take care the site's technical aspects. This could include the site's performance and capacity, which are measures of a website's speed and how much traffic the site can handle. In addition, web developers may create content for the site. Digital designers develop, create, and test websites. They test how the website is laid out, the functions on the website and how a user navigates the website.

When creating a website, developers and designers have to make the website just like the client wants. They build different types of websites, such as for shopping, news, or gaming. Different types of websites require different applications. A gaming site should be able to handle advanced graphics. An ecommerce, or online shopping site would need an application to process payments. The developer decides which applications and designs will best fit the site. The designer then focuses on the look and usability of the site on different browsers or devices.

Some developers and designers handle all aspects of a website's construction. Other developers and designers specialize in a certain area of building the website. The following are examples of types of specialized web developers or digital designers:

Back-end web developers are responsible for the overall technical construction of the website. They create the basic structure of the site. They ensure that the website works as expected. Back-end web developers also make the procedures for others to follow when adding new content to the website. While the site is being developed and maintained they meet with management to discuss major changes to the site.

Front-end web developers create the technical features for a website's look. They develop the site's layout and integrate graphics. They also add applications (such as a retail checkout tool) and other content. They also write web design programs in various computer languages, such as HTML or JavaScript.

Web and digital interface designers are responsible for creating the look and feel of a website or interface. They optimize photos, color, font type and size, graphics, and layout. They also are responsible for how the website is used and how it functions.

Webmasters maintain and update websites. They ensure that websites operate correctly, and they test for errors such as broken links. Many webmasters respond to user comments as well.

Work Environment

Web developers and designers normally work in clean, comfortable offices, or in laboratories in which computer equipment is located. Telecommuting is also becoming more common, allowing workers to do their jobs from remote locations.

Most web developers and designers work at least 40 hours a week.

Like other workers who spend long hours typing at a computer, web developers and designers are susceptible to eyestrain, back discomfort, and hand and wrist problems, such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

More Information

Ask Questions

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Additional Resources

Sources

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