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How to Become a PHP Developer

One of the most in-demand skills right now is PHP programming. There are several reasons for this, but one of the main ones is that it is a skill that can be used to help run web servers and develop dynamic websites. It has been said by some experts in the field that if you want to have a successful career as an online developer, then PHP will be necessary for your toolkit. If you want to become a professional PHP programmer, we recommend reading our blog post today to get started!

ContentsWho is a PHP Developer?PHP Frontend or Backend?Responsibilities of a PHP DeveloperSo How Do You Become a PHP Developer?How Much Does a PHP Developer Earn?How to Get Jobs as a PHP Developer

Want to become a PHP developer? Great!

Let's start by first defining what a PHP developer is.

Who is a PHP developer?

A PHP developer is a professional who masters or demonstrates expertise in PHP. They can create and edit web pages, programs, scripts and more using PHP.

While many believe that PHP as a programming language is dying, the truth is that it is evolving and very much alive. But not only, PHP developers are in high demand!

Here is a small point of view:

PHP stands for "Hypertext Preprocessor." Basically, it is a scripting language for web development which was created in 1995 and is constantly updated which keeps it at the forefront of web development. It is currently used by more than 200 million websites on the Internet (including Facebook, Wikipedia, Tumblr).

One of the biggest appeals of PHP – a selling point, if you will – and why companies hire PHP Developers is that the execution does not take place in the client browser, but directly on the server. This means that the execution of scripts does not depend on the speed of the end device or users' browsers.

This allows for much more reliable and faster execution. Moreover, since PHP is an open source project, it offers huge cost savings for businesses – it is free to use.

PHP Frontend or backend?

PHP is a dynamic programming language that can be used in both frontend and backend.

The most common use of PHP is in web development, where it has a rich set of libraries and tools to create dynamic web pages.

PHP is also used in a variety of other ways, including as the basis of content management systems and as an interface to other languages ​​or software.

Due to its versatility, PHP developers are in high demand – with an average salary of $86,003 per year according to Zip's recruiter.

So, if you are looking to become a PHP developer and have the opportunity to do so, then you must take advantage of it!

Responsibilities of a PHP developer

The daily task of a PHP developer may differ depending on the company they work for, but in general their responsibilities include:

  • Ensure quality by testing and fixing bugs
  • Ensuring the security of a web application
  • Ensure that data is not lost by designing and implementing backup systems
  • Performance optimization
  • Building web applications using frameworks
  • Work on designing and building a website following specifications, standards and best practices
  • Support customers by answering questions and resolving issues
  • Developing a database system to store application data
  • Develop a payment system, or set up online shopping
  • Implement security measures to protect data and keep it safe

So, how does one become a PHP developer?

The answer is simple:you need to learn PHP

You don't necessarily need to study computer science to become one, but you should take the time and effort to learn it.

You can do this in several ways. The most common is to go to a university and take classes, or you can find easy online tutorials for beginners.

In addition to PHP, you'll need to have knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript – which isn't too difficult considering those are the three main tools for building a website.

You will need to be an expert in the languages ​​mentioned above, and you will also need to know how databases work – how to create tables, queries, etc.

Finally, you will need expertise in at least one of the frameworks used for PHP development. Examples are Symfony, Laravel or Zend Framework.

And once you have it all, the sky is your limit! You could be developing an app for iOS or Android, working on a CMS for a Fortune 500 company, or building an online store.

How much does a PHP developer earn?

If you're wondering what a PHP developer can earn, wonder no more.

According to Ziprecruiter's salary calculator, the average salary for a PHP developer is $86,003 per year.

Salaries vary depending on the size of the company you work for and your level of experience.

For example, a beginner PHP developer can earn around $41,000 per year, while an experienced developer can earn up to $130,000 per year.

And if you'd rather be a freelance PHP developer, we'd happily tell you that the job is great for freelancers because of the number of hours you can work and your flexibility in choosing which projects to take on.

The hourly rate for freelance PHP developers is usually between $61 and $80 per hour.

How to get jobs as a PHP developer

Now that you have all the knowledge, it's time to put it into practice and live it.

The first thing to do is find a job or two that requires PHP development skills, then apply!

The good news is that there are plenty of opportunities out there, so it shouldn't be too difficult.

A good place to find PHP development jobs is on freelance job boards, such as Upwork.com or Freelancer.com.

To land a job as a freelancer, it's important to have an eye-catching portfolio that will interest potential clients in your work.

You can also apply for jobs on job boards, like Indeed or Glass Door – but don't forget other social media sites, like Facebook and Twitter.

Finally, you can also attend meetings or conferences related to PHP development – ​​it's a great way to meet people who may be potential employers.