Have you been debating whether or not a career in web development would be a good fit for you? Choosing a profession can be challenging, which is why it’s in your best interest to research the field so you can make an informed decision.
To help you do just that, here’s a guide to the pros and cons of being a Web Developer. Once you have a clearer understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of this career choice, you’ll be better able to determine if it’s the right option for you.
Pros of Becoming a Web Developer
There are many advantages to becoming a Web Developer, including:
1. Competitive Salaries
One of the most significant benefits of working in web development is the potential to earn a high salary; many Web Developers make $100,000 or more per year. Of course, when developers begin their careers, they earn a bit less—around $75,000 annually (which is almost $20,000 more than the average annual salary for all occupations in the United States.) After gaining several years of experience, the earning potential increases, allowing many developers to earn a six-figure salary.
2. Job Security
Another advantage to becoming a Web Developer is the job security that it offers. Web Developers are in high demand; according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, 25,500 web development jobs will open up each year between now and 2030. That equals a growth rate of 13%, which is much higher than the 8% expected growth rate for all jobs. A growth rate like that means there will always be plenty of jobs available for Web Developers.
3. Low Barrier to Entry
A job in web development is also a great choice because the barrier to entry is relatively low. You don’t need a university degree to become a Web Developer; you can learn the necessary skills by completing a bootcamp, taking classes at a training school, or studying independently. While some employers may require a degree, the vast majority just want to see that you’re capable of doing the job.
4. Various Niches to Choose From
The ability to choose from various niches is another benefit of working in web development. For example, you can specialize in front end web development, back end web development, full stack web development, JavaScript development, Python development, or Java development, just to name a few. You can also work in practically any industry, including healthcare, education, travel, transportation, manufacturing, finance, or marketing.
5. Potential to Work from Home
When you get a job as a Web Developer, there’s also a good chance you could end up working from home. Since the majority of your work is completed on your computer, there’s little need for you to go into the office. You may be required to attend meetings with other team members, but that can easily be done online. So if you’re particularly interested in a career that allows you to work from home, web development might be a good fit.
6. The Opportunity to Freelance
Web Developers can also use their coding skills as a freelancer. Freelancing doesn’t work for every career path, but it’s a perfect fit for web development. By offering your services as a freelancer, you can earn extra money outside your regular job. You could even work independently and be your own boss if that’s what you’d prefer.
7. A Strong Community
Another great reason to work in web development is the strong community ties it offers. Web Developers have a tendency to stick together and help one another. These traits often aren’t found in more competitive careers like business, finance, or law. If you want to become part of a cooperative community that spreads across the globe, consider becoming a Web Developer.
Cons of Becoming a Web Developer
Becoming a Web Developer does have its downsides, such as:
1. Potentially Long Working Hours
Depending on your job role, company, and location, you could end up working long hours as a Web Developer. Though most Web Developers have a 40-hour workweek, some report putting in more time than that. According to Stack Overflow’s 2019 survey, approximately 25% of Web Developers work 45 hours or more per week. Of those, 11.36% report being at work 45 to 49 hours per week with 7.6% working between 50 and 54 hours weekly. If you’re looking for a job with flexible working hours, web development may not be the best choice.
2. Heavy Workload
Along with long hours, you may need to deal with a relatively heavy workload. It’s not uncommon for Web Developers to juggle multiple projects at one time. You need to be able to switch from project to project easily and stay on top of assigned tasks without getting overwhelmed. If you’re not good at multitasking, you might want to investigate other career options.
3. Lack of Physical Activity
When you’re working long hours with a heavy workload, it’s tough to get enough exercise. Instead of being active, you’ll be sitting in front of a computer screen every single day for hours at a time. Over time, this could contribute to poor health.
4. Monotony
One of the dangers of being a Web Developer is that you do the same type of work every day. While there may be some variation from client to client, the bulk of your work will be coding websites and maintaining them. This could become monotonous and cause you to become bored with your job.
5. Ongoing Educational Requirements
Though it’s pretty easy to learn the skills necessary to become a Web Developer, your education isn’t over once you get a job. Because technology changes so rapidly, Web Developers must make an effort to keep up with new trends and developments throughout their careers.
6. Frustrating Clients
When you work as a Web Developer, your primary concern is creating websites that meet your clients’ needs. The problem is that clients aren’t always easy to work for—sometimes they aren’t able to articulate what they want, change their minds after work has been completed, and demand last-minute revisions without understanding how much time is required to make them.
7. Lack of Purpose
Web development is a great profession to get into if you want a secure, high-paying job, but it may not meet all your needs; if you’re looking for a career path that makes you feel like you’re contributing to the betterment of society, this may not be it. Of course, that’s not a requirement for all people—it’s not uncommon for people to find meaning in life outside of their job and just use work to pay the bills.
How to Become a Web Developer
Now that you know the pros and cons of becoming a Web Developer, does it sound like a career you’d like to pursue? If so, then you should consider taking a web development bootcamp. These intensive skill-focused programs are designed to get students ready for a new career in just a few months. There are even web development bootcamps available live online for those who prefer learning from the comfort of their own homes.
If you’re still not sure becoming a Web Developer is the right career for you, you could test it out by taking a few web development classes. Depending on where you’re located, you might be able to find web development classes in your area. If none are available, you can always take live online web development classes. These offer the same in-depth instruction and live feedback as face-to-face classes but without the hassle of commuting to a training school.