Do you want to make more money as a Web Developer in 2022? There are various ways you can increase your income this year; here are just a few tips to help you reach your goal.
Specialize
To make more money working in web development, it’s essential to specialize in a specific area instead of being a generalist. If you look through job listings, you might see positions advertised for Web Developers, which is a broad term used to describe anyone who creates or maintains web applications. People who work under the job title “Web Developer” typically earn just $68,500 per year on average in the United States.
The earning potential is much higher, however, when you start looking for jobs that target the three main specializations within web development: Front End Web Developer, Back End Web Developer, and Full Stack Web Developer. Though there’s some variation in salary between these three specialties, people working in these positions tend to earn significantly more than those working in a general “Web Developer” role. For example, Front End Web Developers earn an average yearly salary of $102,000 in the U.S. with Back End Web Developers earning $115,000 and Full Stack Web Developers making $107,000 on average.
You can also specialize in specific programming languages, which will change your earning potential. If you’re well-versed in Ruby, you could choose to work as a Ruby Developer earning more than $131,000 per year on average. Java Developers earn a bit less, making just over $100,000 every year while Python Developers earn an average of $108,000. Those who prefer working with JavaScript could earn a bit more; the average salary for JavaScript Developers runs around $111,000.
Upgrade Your Skills
Another way to start earning more money as a Web Developer is to upgrade your skill set. If you’re not sure exactly what skills to work on, you could always level up by learning a new programming language, framework, library, or web development tool.
Some of the most widely-used frameworks in web development include Express.js, Vue.js, Angular, Svelte, Flask, Ruby on Rails, and Django. The most popular libraries by far are React and jQuery, though you could pick up additional libraries such as D3.js, Parsley, and QUnit.js, just to name a few.
You could also earn more money if you learn how to use essential web development tools such as Git, VS Code, Chrome Developer Tools, and Node Package Manager. You can acquire these skills through either self-study or by taking web development classes, though the latter often provides more structure and an in-depth curriculum.
Start a Side Hustle
Another way to make more money as a Web Developer in 2022 is to start a side hustle. It doesn’t matter if you’re already working as an employee, you could start your own web development business and build it on the side as you continue to work full-time. While the most popular side gig for Web Developers is usually freelancing, there’s an awful lot you can do with your skills. For example, you could develop a course, start a YouTube channel, or start a blog to teach web development to others. Another possibility would be creating digital products like plugins, templates, scripts, and WordPress themes to sell online. Starting up a side hustle benefits you in both the long and short term; you’re earning more money in the short term while expanding your skill set so you can earn even greater amounts in the future.
Get More Experience
The amount of money you make also depends in large part on how much work experience you have. Junior Front End Developers in the United States who have less than three years of experience will typically earn an average of $60,000 per year. Compare that to a more senior Front End Developer who has accumulated several years of experience; they earn close to $100,000 on average. That kind of increase in pay makes it worth your while to put in the time and gain experience. You may not be able to see the rewards this year, but you’ll be making progress toward your goal of earning more money.
Increase Your Network
Another great way to increase your potential earnings is to become active in the web development community and network with others in the industry. The more people you meet who are already working in web development, the more job opportunities you can learn about and have access to.
The good news is that the web development community is thriving, both on and offline. For in-person networking opportunities, you can find various groups through Meet-Up, attend tech conferences, or join a local coworking space. The top places to go online are Stack Overflow, Reddit, and Dev.to.
Not only will these connections help you land a better-paying job, but they’re also great sources of information; if you ever find yourself stuck on a project or need advice on increasing your income, just search for the answer on these forums or ask your question if it hasn’t already been addressed. Chances are you’ll get a response from fellow Web Developers fairly quickly.
Expand Your Education
You can also earn more money as a Web Developer if you expand your education. Regardless of your current education level, you can always learn more. For example, if you already have a bachelor’s degree in computer science, you could pursue a master’s degree. Similarly, if you taught yourself how to code by following tutorials online, you might consider expanding your education by completing a web development certificate. Expanding your education will help you qualify for more jobs at a higher rate of pay; you could earn anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000 more per year simply by becoming more educated about web development.
Work for a Larger Company
If you want to make more money in 2022, you might want to consider changing jobs to work at a larger company. Fortune 500 companies and other large corporations typically offer the highest wages in the industry, with Web Developers earning around six figures. You might also be able to negotiate a decent compensation package at a startup, depending upon how well funded they are. Startups that have solid financial backing have been known to offer high salaries plus stock options to attract high-caliber talent.
On the other hand, small locally-owned companies tend to offer Web Developer salaries that are lower than the national average; they don’t have nearly the resources that large corporations do, so they’re unable to offer high wages. If the only job you can get when starting your career is at a small business, work with them for a couple of years to gain experience then start applying to larger companies so you can increase your pay.
How to Become a Well-Paid Web Developer
If you want to become a well-paid Web Developer, then you should consider enrolling in a web development bootcamp. Bootcamps are the ideal way to acquire the skills you need to start a new career; they offer intensive skills-based classes on an abbreviated schedule, so you’ll be ready for your new profession in just a few short months. For maximum flexibility, you can even take a web development bootcamp live online.
If you’re not quite ready to complete a full bootcamp, another option would be to sign up for individual web development classes. That makes it possible for you to expand your skills and gauge your overall interest in web development before committing to a bootcamp. Depending on where you’re located, you might even be able to find some web development classes in your area. If none seem to be available nearby, you can always take web development classes live online without having to leave your home.