How to Become a PHP Developer

Overview & Salaries

Recommended Degree:
The right degree for you depends on the industry and company you apply for. Those looking for an entry positions are likely to need a bachelors degree in computer programming or web development. If you are looking to get into a competitive or advance position, then a master’s degree in computer programming or a PHP programming certificate along with real world experience can help you stand out in the hiring process.

Begin your career path today by signing up for free information from one of our accredited colleges below that offer programs to help get you started in PHP development.

How Much Do PHP Developers Make?
$74,280 (national median salary, to view salaries in your state click on the “Best Places to Work” tab up top)

Expected growth from 2012-2020:
+28,400 additional people employed

Specialization Options:
Management, quality assurance, and website back-end development

(all information above provided by the 2012 Computer Programming page) 

Discover the Best Places to Become a PHP Developer

California, by a large margin, has the most opportunities for employment in the field, with nearly 17,000 jobs being filled presently. The annual mean wage in the state is also significant at $74,570, with only Washington and New York offering higher yearly mean wages at $81,490 and $75,060 respectively.

In the United States programmers hold approximately 363,100 jobs, and were concentrated in the following industries:

Computer systems design and related services 32%
Information 12%
Finance and insurance 7%
Administrative and support services 6%
Government 5%

Employment and Salary Information by State for PHP Developers

Use our interactive map below to find out which areas of the United States are currently experiencing the greatest amount of growth and job availability for graduates looking for a career in PHP Development. All data is taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a highly credible government agency.

Employment and Information Data for PHP Development

Why Become a PHP Developer?

Initially created as a basic tool to publisher web information (PHP stands for Personal Home Page) this technology has evolved into sophisticated software used as widely as any other development platform. Today, it is better known as “PHP: Hypertext Processor” and developers are increasingly in demand in many industries.

Recommended Courses to Help You Become a PHP Developer

  • Introduction to Database Programming
  • Design and Usability
  • PHP/MySQL
  • Unix/Linux MySQL
  • Visual Basic
  • XHTML and CSS
  • MySQL
  • JavaScript & JQuery
  • Web Services and eCommerce
  • Developing for Mobile Devices
  • Database Programming and Design

Degrees for PHP Development Careers

Certificate
Students can jump into the basics in a certificate program that features PHP/SQL programming courses. These provide important sills necessary in the development of both web and mobile apps.

Bachelor’s Degree
Typically four-year degree in computer science offers students a solid background in many programming languages including PHP development.

Master’s Degree
Developers that have completed an undergraduate degree are eligible for advanced graduate programs that often prepare individuals for work at larger organizations that often require a more sophisticated development skills because of the extensive size and complexities of their systems.