The Day-to-Day as a Python Developer
Python Developers typically choose to focus on back end web development, data science or analysis, scripting, or product development. They build the server side of websites, processes for data analysis, and create automation scripts. Some Python Developers work alone, others on a team of Back End Developers, and still others on a full engineering or development team. This will depend on the company they end up working for.
The day to day life of a Python Developer will vary dramatically depending on the employer. You might find yourself creating scripts, building the back end of a web application, building a piece of software, contributing to an open-source project, integrating user-interface elements of an application, writing scalable code, writing APIs, or creating programs to efficiently analyze data.
What Skills Should Python Developers Have?
If nothing else, Python Developers should be proficient in Python and its relevant frameworks such as Falcon and MongoDB to work more efficiently. They might also want to get to know JavaScript Frameworks like AngularJS if they’ll be working with web applications. As with any development position, the Python Developer should practice version control and know how to use Git.
In addition to these foundational skills, Python Developers should understand object-relational mapping, multi-process architecture, integration of front end technologies, server-side templates, user authorization and authentication, and event-driven programming.
If you’ll be working with web applications, knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript are necessities. If you’ll be working with the back end you’ll need to understand SQL, front end integration, scripting, algorithms, and servers. For data-focused Python Developers, algorithms, machine learning, and data science will be your main focus.
Learn the Skills You Need to Become a Python Developer
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Coding
Coding is another way to say computer programming. It is how humans "instruct" computers through the process of designing and building a functioning computer program. Computer and web programs are built using coding languages like C, Python, PHP, HTML, JavaScript, and more. Coding can be used to create desktop, mobile, or web applications.
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Python
Python is an interpreted, object-oriented, high-level programming language with dynamic semantics. It is used to write scripts, automations, algorithms, manipulate data, and create frameworks. Python prioritizes simplicity, easy to learn syntax, readability, and versatility.
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SQL
SQL stands for Structured Query Language. It is a computer language used to store, manipulate, and retrieve data which is stored in a relational database.
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Web Development
Web development is the practice of building, creating, and maintaining websites. Web development uses coding languages to build a website for the internet.
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Git
Git is a distributed version control system that is standard in software and web development. Git allows multiple developers to work on the same project at once or a single developer to keep track of changes. It also creates a simple environment to conduct A/B testing. Git is designed to optimize speed, data integrity, as well as distributed and non-linear workflows.
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Software Engineering
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Code Editors
A code editor is a text editor program designed specifically for editing the code of a computer or web program. It can come in the form of a standalone application, in a web browser tool, or within an integrated development environment (IDE).
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Developer Tools
Developer tools are tools typically created by developers to do tasks like debug code, edit code more efficiently, test code, test interface, and more efficiently build websites and applications.
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Dev Bootcamp
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FinTech
FinTech stands for Financial Technology. FinTech is the technology or computer programs that are used to support, improve, enable, and automate banking and financial services.
Python Developer Salaries
A Python Developer in the United States makes, on average, $132,152 annually, according to Indeed.com.
Salaries for Python Developers vary by region within the the United States. Listed below are some Python Developer salaries for specific areas with the United States compared with the average national salary:
- U.S. Average $132K source n/a
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Miami, FL
$160K
source
+21.78%
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Los Angeles, CA
$155K
source
+17.49%
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New York City
$137K
source
+3.79%
- U.S. Average $132K source n/a
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Chicago, IL
$131K
source
-0.31%
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Houston, TX
$130K
source
-0.92%
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Orange County, CA
$125K
source
-4.99%
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Washington, D.C.
$125K
source
-5.33%
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Alexandria, VA
$121K
source
-7.8%
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Dallas, TX
$118K
source
-9.97%
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Fairfax, VA
$112K
source
-14.84%
Typical Qualifications to Become a Python Developer
Many Python Developers have a four-year degree in computer science, math, or a related field. But many simply have a coding bootcamp education or a well-rounded portfolio. The most important qualification for Python Developers is their skill level. Demonstrable proficiency in Python and it’s related skills as well as being able to clearly communicate your thought process are the top ways skill is expected to be demonstrated in interviews.
Learn more about the requirements to become a Python Developer
Searching for Python Developer Jobs
Python Developers can find jobs in a wide variety of environments from startups to corporate, freelance to remote. Python Developers will find the most lucrative jobs in the corporate setting but early on will find more entry-level jobs at startups. Python development is a lucrative career path regardless of the setting you choose to work in.
You can find Python Developer Jobs on these sites:
- Indeed
- Glassdoor
- Monster
- Dice
- Authentic Jobs
- Startupers
- StartupHire
- Hired
- ZipRecruiter
- Python Job Board
- GitHub
You can find remote or freelance Full Stack Developer positions on these sites:
Tips to Become a Python Developer
To land a job as a Python Developer you should have a well-written resume customized to this technical position, a fully filled out and active LinkedIn profile, and a strong portfolio on GitHub. It might give you a leg up to contribute to open-source projects on GitHub or post your own passion projects and continually make commits to them during your job search.
Many recruiters also look for Developers who write about their work on a blog in the form of a case study. This shows employers how you think, which is a crucial part of their decision to hire you. Preparing for interviews by doing mock-interviews, coding challenges, and whiteboarding at home is absolutely essential for a technical position like this.
The Developer job hunt often results from a buildup of momentum. Consistently making git commits, connecting with new people on LinkedIn, submitting job applications, and posting on your blog each week should be a top priority for a job-seeking Python Developer.
What Job Titles Would a Python Developer Hold?
Python Developers should look for targeted job titles that specify Python knowledge. Most Python Developer positions will expect you to specialize and deeply understand Python but will also require you know other technologies within their stack. This might be a high level knowledge or an expectation that you’ll learn more about their tech stack during your onboarding period.
These positions use Python on a daily basis:
- Python Developer
- Junior Python Developer
- Back End Developer
- Associate Python Developer
- Database Engineer
- Junior Software Developer
- Quality Assurance Engineer
Additional Python Developer Resources
- Python Developer Job Description
- What Software Do Python Developers Use?
- Best Cities for Python Developers
- Is Python Development a Good Career?
- Is Python Development Right For Me?
- What Degree Do You Need to Become a Python Developer?
- Python Developer Career Path
- Python Developer Certifications
- How to Become a Python Developer Without a Degree in 2024
- How to Become a Freelance Python Developer in 2024
- How to Become a Python Developer in 3 Months
- Python Developer Interview Questions
- Python Developer Resume Guide & Tips
- Python Developer Cover Letter
- Python Developer Job Search Tips & Best Practices
- Python Developer LinkedIn Profile Guide & Tips
- Where and How to Secure Python Developer Freelance Jobs
- Python Developer Portfolio Website Guide & Tips
- Python Developer Job Outlook
- What Classes to Take to Become a Python Developer
- How to Become a Python Developer At Home
Related Careers
Python Developers might consider upskilling to a position like Machine Learning Engineer, Data Analyst, or Data Scientist–all three of which also use Python on a daily basis. To pivot into machine learning, a Python Developer should focus on algorithms, deep learning, and automations. A Data Analyst or Data Scientist position could be attained with more focus on data analysis and aggregations techniques. These three positions typically have a higher salary than a Python Developer position.
Salary Comparison to Python Developer
- Python Developer $132K n/a
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Full Stack Developer
$125K
-5.33%
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Data Scientist
$122K
-7.27%
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Software Engineer
$105K
-20.25%
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Web Developer
$80K
-39.07%
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Full Stack Developer
Indeed.com Avg. Salary
$125K / year
Glassdoor Avg. Salary
$90K / year
Full Stack Developers build web applications for both the visible front end that users see and the back end that powers the applications.
Learn about becoming a Full Stack Developer -
Software Engineer
Indeed.com Avg. Salary
$105K / year
Glassdoor Avg. Salary
$116K / year
Software engineers use their extensive knowledge of user experience design, operating systems, and programming languages to develop software. They can create different types of software, from games to operating systems. After analyzing a client's needs, they design, develop, and test software to meet that need. Software engineers can be divided into two distinct career categories: application engineers and systems engineers.
Learn about becoming a Software Engineer -
Data Scientist
Indeed.com Avg. Salary
$122K / year
Glassdoor Avg. Salary
$114K / year
Data scientists collect, organize, and analyze large sets of data, providing analysis that is key to decision making. Governments, non-profits, and businesses of all types rely on data for forecasting, risk management, and resource allocation. Data scientists discover and analyze trends in data, and report their findings to stakeholders. They will use algorithms and models to simplify and mine data sets to create data-driven recommendations. Data scientists are needed across a handful of industries, especially the ubiquity of data and the reliance on it for business decision-making.
Learn about becoming a Data Scientist -
Web Developer
Indeed.com Avg. Salary
$80K / year
Glassdoor Avg. Salary
$81K / year
Web developers build webpages using coding languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. They program functionality and identify/troubleshoot errors in code. Web developers can work on front-end development (the part of the website you see in a web browser), or on back-end development (the logic and database functionality that runs on the web server). Others work as full-stack developers, providing end-to-end (front to back) expertise.
Learn about becoming a Web Developer