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Web developer

Design, build and look after websites and web applications for clients.

Also known as: full stack developer, front end developer, back end developer

About skillsGetting in

About the job

Salary

Source: National Careers Service

Weekly

£385

Entry level

£1,154

Experienced

Monthly

£1,667

Entry level

£5,000

Experienced

Yearly

£20,000

Entry level

£60,000

Experienced

5,800

people are currently employed

High growth

400 more jobs in 5 years

These figures refer to this job and similar ones with comparable skills and qualifications. They only apply to Scotland. Source: Oxford Economics

What it's like

Web developers design, build and look after websites and web applications for clients.

Some developers work on the software and databases that help websites function. You might hear this called the 'back end', this is because it's the part that users can't see.

The web developers who work on the part users can see, are front end developers. They programme the user interface and other visual aspects of web pages.

You'd specialise in either of these, or work in both areas. Doing both, you'd be a full stack developer and would need a broader range of skills for this.

You could work for many different businesses and public sector organisations. Each project is different. For example, you could:

  • create a secure online shopping website

  • develop a virtual learning environment (VLE) for a college

  • set up a company intranet for staff

What you'll do:

  • talk to the client about their ideas

  • build a site and add buttons, forms, video, sounds or animations

  • make sure that the new site works with the client’s own systems and database

  • work on the site's appearance, often with a web designer

  • come up with solutions for user access and security

  • test the site to find and fix any problems before the public see it

Once you have built the site, you may continue to make small changes to make sure it's working. Depending on the contract, you could also continue to look after the site once it is up and running.

Hours

You'd usually work 37 to 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday. Evening and/or weekend work to meet deadlines is common. If self-employed, you may have to work long hours to complete a job on time.

Environment

The work is mainly office-based. If you work for a company you would normally be at one site, but if you are self-employed, you might work from home or on the client's premises.

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Related industries

Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.

  • Financial services
  • Digital technologies
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Top skills

Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!

It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.

Here are some of the skills you'll need to do this job:

  • recalling
  • taking responsibility
  • taking initiative
  • sorting
  • attention to detail
  • researching
  • problem solving
  • creative
  • working with technology
  • cooperating

Your skills are important

Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.

Discover skills

Getting in

Explore the sections shown for more information about getting into this career.

You might have qualifications which are not shown here but will allow you access to a course. You can compare your qualifications by looking at their SCQF Level. For more information about this, check out the SCQF website.

Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.

Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:

  • Computing Science

  • Graphic Communication

  • Mathematics

  • Physics

  • Skills for Work: Creative Digital Media

  • Foundation Apprenticeship: Software Development

You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.

You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.

Discover what's on offer at your school on  Apprenticeships.scot.

You'd need a Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 8) or a degree (SCQF level 9/10) in either:

  • Web Development

  • Multimedia Development

  • Computing Science

  • Software Engineering

To enter a Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 8) course, you'd need National 4 or 5 qualifications and at least two Highers (SCQF level 6).

To enter a degree course (SCQF level 9/10), you'd need National 5 qualifications and at least four Highers.

If you have a degree in another field but wish to be a web developer, then you'd need to do a postgraduate 'conversion' course in an IT subject.

You can move to this job from other relevant ICT careers but you must have an understanding of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) standards for website accessibility.

Some entrants move into web development from other computing jobs, such as programming.

Qualifications and experience that show knowledge of software, creative and problem-solving skills such Skills for Work Creative & Digital (SCQF level 4).

Work-based qualifications such as Scottish Vocational Qualification in ICT (SVQ level 2/3/4).

Knowledge of databases, content management systems and web technologies.

You'll need to have a good knowledge of programming languages. You can learn these through formal learning at school or college and university. You can also pick up knowledge and skills by learning online.

You may need to sit a technical test as part of the recruitment process.

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