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Pros and Cons of Being a Web Developer in 2020
A realistic perspective.
As someone who has worked in web development the past three years, I can honestly say that — despite the recent events and subsequent workforce changes of 2020 — I still believe it’s an excellent field to work in.
That being said, just like any career, there are tradeoffs to consider in terms of pay, job outlook, benefits, work environment, and the work itself; all of which are important to re-evaluate within the context of our current circumstances. This article explores the benefits and pitfalls of being a web developer in 2020, with many of the points remaining relevant as we step into 2021.
Compensation
Pros
According to Indeed, “The average salary for a web developer is $77,646 per year in the United States and $2,000 cash bonus per year.” Similarly, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states, “The median annual wage for web developers was $73,760 in May 2019”, which is roughly $35/hr.
However, compensation can easily exceed this, well into six figures depending on company size and your experience level. Location is another big factor; areas like California and New York will have substantially higher rates. Additionally, base pay may be supplemented by any combination of stock options, annual bonuses, or signing bonuses, not to mention yearly raises and promotions. It’s no wonder why many find this career very lucrative, especially since the education requirement is more affordable and faster to complete than traditional four-year degrees. Take me for example. I spent what it would have cost for roughly one year of university to attend a four-month web development boot camp. After graduating and landing my first job, I nearly tripled my income.
Cons
As a salaried employee, you sometimes have to work longer hours to meet deadlines. This might involve late evenings, working nights, or even working over the weekend for which you may not get paid any extra. If you come from an hourly job as I did, this is something to think about as you’ll be giving up the transactional nature of being able to clock in and out. With less of a line between when you work and when you don’t, it can be challenging to maintain a…
