The web developer job is one of the most popular in 2022, yet more profiles must be added. This explains the handsome salary of this profession as soon as you leave school. Do you want to go into web development? It’s a great choice! Specialties (front end, back end, etc.), missions, skills, localization, years of experience, mastered programming languages, etc. Please learn more about the job of a web developer and its salary.

What is a web developer?

Generally speaking, the web developer’s job will be to develop technical solutions to meet a need via code. But boating this profession down to that doesn’t do it justice. They must also be able to analyze and anticipate issues daily, i.e., before, during, and after the launch of a tool, a website, or an application. To give you a clearer picture, here are the main steps in the work of a web developer!

Analyze the need

Coding is far from the first phase the web developer works on. First, they must define a roadmap for the different stages of the project.

To understand the need behind this project, they will have to interact with several company actors, such as the product manager or the graphic designer. Especially during the project’s launch, the web developer must mobilize all his soft skills to communicate clearly and effectively with his team.

Setting up the development environment

Once the project’s need is clearly understood, the development environment stage comes. Here, the developer tackles the code architecture needed to create the tool. To do this, they will rely on their knowledge of programming languages according to their specialty (Python, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, etc.) and their libraries and pieces of code already created.

Code, Correct, and Repeat

When the development environment is set up on the machine, the developer will code everything needed to finalize the project. It will have to be coded feature by feature. During this phase, we differentiate between front-end development (what is visible to the user) and backend development (the technical environment not visible to the user).

Check for potential bugs before going into production.

The most meticulous part is now over. Before publishing the developed web tool online, it is essential to ensure it works properly. To do this, we use pre-production, a test environment to detect potential bugs and other problems that users would face once the product is online.

Continuously maintain the product.

The web developer’s work continues when the solution is put into production. They also have to manage the post-production period to quickly fix potential future bugs and improve the tool to make it more relevant. The web developer will carry out the technical side of a website or application’s development.

Even if it is possible to develop a website from a blank page, most web developers don’t go down this path. To save time, they will rely on CMSs and frameworks, the libraries of programming languages, to create the foundations of their software.

At a time when digital is omnipresent in our daily lives, all companies and all sectors of activity are likely to use a website to develop their business. Therefore, it is possible to work as a web developer in any field (health, e-commerce, tourism, etc.).

Web developer salary: remuneration according to one’s missions

If the web developer is in charge of writing the code for a technical solution, their role is not limited to that. Here are the main tasks of a web developer who strongly influences his salary:

• Analyze customer needs;
• Participate in the design of the specifications;
• Design a website or application using programming languages;
• Ensure the maintenance of a solution and correct potential bugs;
• Receive daily training on new tools, programming languages, and methodologies.

A developer’s salary considers all the missions and responsibilities assigned to this professional. The larger the company, the more attractive its remuneration is.

Skills to be acquired

The web developer must acquire technical and essential soft skills to carry out their missions. Here they are:

• Be a team player;
• Be creative and versatile;
• Be proficient in programming languages (JavaScript, CSS, Python, etc.);
• Be synthetic and autonomous;
• Be a good listener and have good interpersonal skills;
• Know how to work in a hurry and be reactive.

Web developer and salary: the studies you need to follow to receive it

You must complete computer science training to become a web developer and earn your average salary. Initially, you can start with a BTS or a BUT in computer science or digital systems (over two years). Some schools also offer baccalaureate +3 level diplomas (bachelor’s or bachelor’s degree), such as:

• Professional bachelor’s degree in programming;
• Bachelor’s degree in web application design;
• Bachelor’s degree in computer science;
• Bachelor’s degree in web development.

Here are some examples of master’s degrees (bac+5) that you can do to become a web developer:

• Master’s degree in Computer System Development (IS);
• Master of Science in Computer Science;
• Master’s degree in Computer Engineering;
• Master’s degree in Web & Mobile Development.

Web Developer Salary by Experience Level

A web developer earns a salary between €35,000 and €60,000 gross per year or between €2,900 and €5,000 gross per month. Of course, this salary range varies according to several criteria, including the geographical location of the professional, but not only. It also considers several factors, such as its specialty (front-end, backend, full-stack), the type of company it integrates, and all the required technical skills we presented to you earlier in this article. However, the criterion that most influences a web developer’s salary is undoubtedly their experience level. As you might expect, a web developer earns a higher salary as a senior than at the beginning of their career.

The Salary of an Entry-Level Web Developer

A web developer is considered a junior when they have between one and three years of professional experience. During this period, the salary of an entry-level web developer fluctuates between €30,000 and €37,000 gross each year or between €1,800 and €2,300 per month. After three and five years of experience, he becomes an experienced web developer and earns between €40,000 and €55,000 gross per year (between €3,300 and €4,500).

Senior Web Developer Salary

After more than six years of experience, we speak of a senior web developer. The latter has, therefore, increased his skills and continues to train on the evolution of computer programming tools, and his responsibilities are multiple. The web developer’s salary is more than €60,000 gross per year for a senior profile. Depending on the level of experience acquired and professional development, we no longer speak of a web developer but instead of a lead tech, technical expert, lead developer, or web architect.

Web developer salaries according to their specialty

The front-end developer and their salary

As you know, the front-end developer handles programming the entire visible part of an application or website. They must, therefore, be proficient in CSS, HTML, and, of course, JavaScript programming languages. Once they graduate and until their first three years of experience, a developer’s salary is between €35,000 and €47,000 gross per year for the front-end specialty. When he becomes confirmed (3 to 6 years of experience), his gross annual salary is between €48,000 and €60,000. A senior front-end developer earns more than €60,000 gross per year.

What is the backend web developer’s salary?

The job of a backend developer is very different from that of a front-end developer. Indeed, it takes care of all the technical and non-visible parts of a site and an application. In other words, they will not have to use the same technical tools as their colleague. He will work on Python, PHP, Java, Ruby and MySQL. Here are the salary ranges of a backend web developer according to their years of experience:

• entry-level (1 to 3 years): between €40,000 and €47,000 gross per year;
• advanced level (3 to 6 years): between €48,000 and €60,000 gross per year;
• Senior (+ 6 years): + €60,000 gross per year.

Full Stack Developer Salary: Highest Paid

As for the full-stack developer, he manages a website’s visible and technical parts. They must, therefore, know the backend and front-end programming languages like the back of their hand. Knowing how to use all their frameworks is also a must. This web developer profile is in high demand in startups.

At the end of school, a full-stack web developer has a salary between €38,000 and €42,000 gross per year or between €3,100 and €3,500 gross per month. He is always considered a junior with between 1 and 3 years of experience; however, his salary ranges from €42,000 to €50,000 gross per year.

After more than three years of experience, the salary of a full-stack developer is between €50,000 and €65,000 gross per year (i.e., between €4,100 and €5,400 gross per month). After six years of experience and with all the knowledge and skills he possesses, his gross annual salary becomes more than €65,000 (and varies according to his company’s budget).

Web developer salary in Paris and the provinces: a stark contrast

Unsurprisingly, a web developer earns a higher salary working in Paris than in the provinces. Indeed, a programming language expert working in the heart of the capital earns an average of €54,000 gross per year (€4,500 gross per month), while in the regions, his salary is on average €43,000 gross per year (€3,500 monthly).

Web developer salary according to the languages mastered

The programming languages also influence a web developer’s remuneration they are proficient in. Indeed, the more he knows the essential languages, the higher his salary will be. On average, a web developer’s salary ranges between €40,000 and €65,000 gross per year, regardless of the programming language they use the most.

A Java Developer and His Salary

In the regions, a junior web developer who knows JS well earns an average of €37,000 gross annually. In Paris, his salary is €43,000 gross per year. As an experienced employee, his salary is, on average, €57,000 gross per year and €44,000 in the regions. For senior profiles, the average is €52,000 in the regions, compared to €65,000 gross per year in Paris.

A Python Developer and His Salary

For a junior profile, the salary of a web developer who knows Python is € 36,000 in the region and € 42,000 gross per year in Ile-de-France. Once the level is confirmed, it is, on average, €52,000 gross per year in Paris compared to €42,000 gross per year in the provinces. Seniors earn €52,000 gross per year in the regions and €64,000 gross per year on average in the capital.

A PHP Developer and His Salary

A junior web developer who works in Paris and is proficient in PHP will earn an average of €38,000 gross annually. In the regions, it is €31,000 gross per year. For a confirmed profile in Ile-de-France, the salary is, on average, € 50,000 gross per year. There are €39,000 gross per year in the provinces. Once a senior, a developer in Paris earns €58,000 gross per year and €46,000 in the rest of the country.

The Salary of a JavaScript Developer

The median gross annual salary for a JavaScript developer is €42,000, which corresponds to an hourly rate of €21.75. Entry-level JS developers earn an average of €37,500 gross per year as juniors. At the other end of the scale, an experienced JS developer can expect a salary of between €55,000 and €60,000 gross per year at the end of their career, or more, depending on the company.

Web Developer Salary: Why do this job?

As you can see, given the shortage faced by web development companies, the salary for web development is very attractive as soon as you leave school and only gradually increases throughout your professional career. However, this is not the only advantage that this profession offers. Given the constant evolution of technologies, web development is a sector in which you are sure to learn every day. Telecommuting is becoming more widespread. This is a real added value for new entrants to the job market.

How do I find a job as a web developer?

Do you want to work in the web industry and, more specifically, become a developer? It is now straightforward to be recruited for this position if you have the necessary skills. Finding a job in this industry is very simple. Since the web developer job is sought after by most companies on the web, several possibilities are available to you. As a first step, you can check out job ads on recruitment sites such as Indeed, Monster, Welcome to the Jungle, and even LinkedIn, the go-to professional social network.

If you are passionate about sports, video games, or many other fields, you can contact the companies in the sector directly for an unsolicited application. Recruiters appreciate this type of initiative. Many recruitment sites specialize in the profession of web development. We find Welovedevs, ChooseYourBoss, PHP France, and YBorder among them.

What does the job of a full-stack developer involve?

The job of a full-stack developer consists of designing, developing, and maintaining complete web applications, both on the client side (front-end) and on the server side (backend). Simply put, the term “full stack” means that the developer can work on all web application layers, from the database to the user interface. If we have presented you with the tasks of a web developer, here are the ones assigned to the full-stack developer:

• Design and develop the user interface (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
• Set up the logic of the application (backend) using technologies such as Ruby on Rails, Node.js, Python/Django…;
• Manage databases and queries (SQL, NoSQL);
• Ensure the security of the application (authentication, authorization, session management);
• Optimize the performance of the application (fast page loading, query optimization);

* Work collaboratively with other team members.

In summary, the full-stack developer is a versatile expert who masters several development technologies to work strategically on an entire web application, from design to production.

Do you need help to work as a web developer?

Contrary to popular belief, this profession does not require you to be a mathematical genius. It could even be among the most accessible professions, given the number of web developer training courses offered throughout France. The only prerequisite is to master web programming. Anyone can do it, not just hooded geeks!

What training do you need to become a web developer?

Now that you know more about this profession, its missions, and its salary, you still need to know which web developer training to take. As you may have read earlier on this page, many of them exist. After obtaining your bachelor’s degree, you can move on to a tech course such as a BUT in computer science or a degree in web development. Subsequently, you can specialize in a specific area of computer science and obtain a bac+5 level diploma. Among the schools that train for this profession, we find École 42, Hetic, Epitech, EPSI, and EGSI.

Suppose you are already in higher education or on the job market and want to reorient yourself. In that case, boot camps offer intensive web developer training over a short period (often eight weeks) and train you to become a web developer. For example, there are Le Wagon, Wild Code School, Ironhack, La Capsule, and many others.

The Salary of a Freelance Developer

The salaries of freelance developers vary widely and are subject to various factors such as their specialization, where they live, and experience. It is essential to consider the irregular nature of the income generated by freelancers, which is often related to short-term projects, such as building websites or mobile apps. As a result, freelance developer salaries can fluctuate significantly from month to month or even year to year. Different specialties, such as front-end, backend, full-stack, or mobile app developers, are compensated differently. The average daily rate (ADR) in France is around €300. Average gross salaries range from €328 for a freelance front-end developer specializing in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and JQuery to €368 gross per day for a freelance developer specializing in mobile apps.

Just like with salaried developers, experience plays a crucial role in determining the salary of freelance developers. Some specialized positions, such as business intelligence and information systems consultants, are often reserved for experienced professionals, but they offer exceptionally high salaries. On average, a junior freelance web developer earns around €300 per day, while a senior freelance developer can earn up to €550 or more per day. We have a complete guide if you want to know more about his compensation.

The advantage of boot camp is that it allows you to become a web developer quickly.

Retraining in fast-growing sectors, such as web development, is becoming an increasingly attractive option in an ever-changing professional landscape. Intensive training boot camps stand out today as catalysts for success for those aspiring to pursue a career as a web developer.

These condensed programs offer a complete immersion into the world of coding, allowing participants to quickly acquire the skills needed to meet the job market demands. This pedagogical model, focused on practice and accelerated learning, is particularly suitable for professional retraining people looking for a quick and effective transition to a new world. In just a few weeks, learners can master the programming languages, frameworks, and tools essential to a web developer’s job. Thus, boot camps represent a pragmatic solution for those who wish to reinvent themselves professionally, offering intensive training oriented towards the concrete needs of the job market while allowing a quick entry into the flourishing field of web development.