Seattle Web Developers
Web developers are in high demand and can come from various backgrounds. This is especially true in Seattle, where web developers are needed for small businesses and companies like Boeing or Microsoft. Depending on the job, there are different requirements and expectations for the employee. Small companies may expect problem solvers that are still learning, while big companies may want someone with lots of previous experience and an impressive portfolio. Many benefits to working in Seattle specifically make it such a great spot to be a web developer. There are different ways to be involved in web development and other ways to become a web developer, making the job accessible and inclusive. While the lifestyle isn’t for everyone, anyone who has a passion for computer science can find the right path for them.
Web Developer Job Description Small Company
The daily tasks of web developers can vary greatly. They are expected to write and update supporting code for websites and design, build, and maintain websites using scripting languages, content creation tools, and digital media. While most of their job is creating and maintaining the website, they’re also expected to develop a working relationship with project managers and customers. Many web developers start at small companies to build their skill sets and create an impressive portfolio before moving on to big companies. An example of a starting job would be an entry-level front-end developer job at Revature in Seattle. While the employee needs no prior experience, they need an associate's or bachelor’s degree. The company is looking for a problem solver with excellent communication skills. Jobs like this allow for developing coding skills before working for big tech companies.
Web Developer Job Description Large Company
Larger companies require more experienced employees who have impressive skills. For example, Xbox Game Studios Publishing hires a more advanced web developer. They want 3+ years of experience producing website designs, layouts, and media assets with a community or gaming focus. They also want skills such as “demonstrable experience applying the fundamentals of color theory, image composition, and typography” and expertise using the Adobe Creative Suite Applications. They want people with experience creating prototypes and mockups with good personal skills such as communication and documentation skills. While this would be a fantastic opportunity for someone with experience, everyone needs to learn somewhere. The big tech companies tend to pay more, but their employees tend to have more knowledge of different coding forms.
Front-end and Back-end Development
Some Seattle web developers specialize in certain parts of developing a website. For instance, some specialize in aesthetics and design, while others focus on functionality. However, lots of web developers perform both front-end development and back-end work. The front-end workers focus on the visual aspects of the website to make it look more appealing and easier to use. Web developers work with JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. So, if you want to be a front-end developer in Seattle, it would be best to know all three languages. While the visuals of a website are essential, it also needs to be functional. The back-end workers focus on the functionality of a website. These web developers will likely use Python, PHP, JavaScript, and .NET. Someone may choose which language to learn based on whether they want to be a front-end developer or focus on back-end work.
Pros and Cons of Working in Seattle
Between 2016 and 2020, the Seattle region added more than 48,000 tech jobs, showing that their tech market is growing faster than any other large U.S. tech market. This is partially due to all the big companies in Seattle and nearby, such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Google. However, having these large companies nearby has made it harder for startups to have competitive salaries to obtain highly qualified employees. Some people are concerned about working in Seattle because of affordable housing issues. It can be a costly place to live, making working at a big company like Amazon more appealing even if the web developer is more passionate about Startups or smaller companies.
Pros and Cons of Being a Web Developer
Being a web developer often comes with a very sedentary lifestyle. Web developers spend lots of time sitting at their desks and looking at a screen, which may have adverse health impacts over time. Some people can even work remotely, meaning that they don’t have to leave their house for things besides personal errands. This can benefit some people, while others may miss the social scene at work. While the job may be exciting, it can be repetitive and tedious for some. However, it is a very versatile career, and web developer has many options for where they want to work if they are unsatisfied with their job. They also have lots of freedom with their hours and can make time to go to the gym to stay healthy.
The Start of Web Development
The internet was not very popular when it was first introduced. But, when web developers began making it easily accessible and visually appealing, it quickly gained popularity. In 1993, the Mosaic browser (which allowed text and images to be displayed together) was introduced to the World Wide Web, causing its popularity to rise. Before that, in 1989, Tim Berners-Lee created an outline of a computer platform where researchers could work together worldwide. This led to the creation of HTML in 1990, which created many web development opportunities. The first commercial web pages were running in the mid-1990s. While there was a tech crash in 2000–2001, afterward, tech became an integral part of our everyday lives.
The Development of Web Development
As the tech industry grew, web developers could use various new technologies to make their designs more appealing and accessible. Introducing style sheets, flash videos, and video streaming changed how we interacted with technology. Our lives have changed with the invention of mobile apps and complex websites. This has created many jobs for those who want to develop new websites or applications. Many people are working from home virtually and could continue working from home during the pandemic in 2020. With web developers creating visually appealing and functioning applications, the life we now know is possible. The job industry for web developers continues to grow, especially in tech hubs such as Seattle, with big companies and innovative startups.
Why Seattle
There are many benefits to being a web developer in Seattle specifically. Seattle has many job opportunities for people of all skill sets. People can access small businesses, big tech companies, or remote options. There’s also a great need for web developers in Seattle. While small businesses are an excellent option for some people, many big companies such as Microsoft, Google, Facebook, and Amazon. In addition, web developers with an extensive skill set and knowledge of a wide variety of coding languages are highly paid in Seattle. The average full-stack developer’s salary would be around $77,000 per year. While this is already an impressive salary, the average starting salary for web developers is 9% higher than the national average in Seattle. But more prominent tech companies are likely to pay even more for experienced workers even if they don’t have a master’s degree.
Becoming a Web Developer in Seattle
There are many web development opportunities in Seattle, such as Coalition Technologies, Truu Digital, and Digitalwebz. These companies design and maintain many local websites. Becoming a web developer in Seattle isn’t difficult either. There are many ways to become a web developer. For example, some people read books and are self-taught. Others take a coding boot camp or get a certificate. Seattle Highline College, Green River, and Seattle Central offer web development programs. This is highly beneficial to both the employee and the employer since web developers are in such high demand, and the market continues to increase. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the job growth for web developers will be an impressive 13% by 2030. Seattle is an excellent area for tech companies and other innovators, making it a prime spot to work as a web developer.
Takeaway
Web development is a growing field filled with both visuals and functioning code. There’s no correct pathway to becoming a web developer. There is a path fit for everyone who desires to be in the career field. They can teach themselves different languages, take courses, or get a degree. Once they have the background knowledge, they can begin working at a small company as a front-end developer or back-end worker, finding their place and learning problem-solving skills. After building their portfolio, they can continue working for small businesses or move on to more prominent companies. There is never a shortage of opportunities, especially in Seattle's ever-growing job market. Seattle is the place to create your website or help an innovative company to maintain theirs. If you want to be a web developer and never be bored, Seattle is the place to be.
