If you are looking for ways to advance your web development career, you should look into professional web development certifications. Web development certification programs prove that you have the skills to be a successful web developer. Having the right certifications on your resume can open up new web developer job opportunities.
Experienced web developers can use our complete guide to research certifications for web development. We have put together a list of the highest-paying web development certifications, certification exam preparation books and courses, and web developer jobs you will be qualified for after completing your web development certification.
What Is a Professional Certification?
A professional certification is a formal recognition of your skills and knowledge in a specific software or process. You can earn a certification by completing an approved course or program, passing an exam, and/or completing a certain amount of work in the field. Professional or industry organizations provide certification programs.
Certifications are often used to help professionals with some work experience accomplish their career goals and make themselves more marketable to prospective employers. It can be used as proof of professional development for resumes, job applications, and interviews. Some job postings will list specific web development certifications as a requirement.
What’s the Difference Between a Certification and a Certificate?
The difference between a certificate and a certification is that a certificate is a record of completion of an educational program rather than a credential that proves you are proficient in a specific skill. Certificates are typically awarded by institutions like universities, colleges, and trade schools.
Why Is Certification in Web Development Important?
A certification in web development is important because it shows potential employers that you have the specific web development skills needed to do the job well. Certifications also show that you are committed to learning and growing as a developer.
With a growing number of jobs in the technology industry, a certification is an additional skill for your resume that can help your application get the attention of employers who are looking for candidates with technical skills. Some employers even certifications as a requirement for hiring.
Best Web Development Certifications by Salary
| Certification | Provider | Average Salary | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Cloud Developer Certification | Google Inc. | $100,000 | $200 |
| Cisco Certified Network Professional Service Provider Certification | Cisco Systems Inc. | $100,000 | $700 |
| Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals Certification | Microsoft Corporation | $99,066 | $99 |
| Certified ScrumMaster Certification | Scrum Alliance | $94,727 | $495 (average cost of mandatory course) |
| SAP Certified Development Associate – SAP Cloud SDK Extensibility Developer Certification | SAP America, Inc. | $91,000 | $224 |
| MySQL 8.0 Database Developer Oracle Certified Professional Certification | Oracle Corporation | $96,000 | $245 |
| CIW JavaScript Specialist Certification | CIW | $87,000 | $150 |
| Certified Web Associate Webmaster Certification | World Organization of Webmasters | $66,000 | $95 |
| Certified Web Developer Associate Certification | World Organization of Webmasters | $65,000 | $95 |
| Certified Web Professional Web Developer Certification | International Web Association | $65,000 | $80 |
Best Web Development Certifications to Further Your Career
How to Choose the Best Web Development Certification for Your Career
Choosing the right web development certification for your career can be challenging. There are so many options, and sometimes it’s hard to know where to start because they all seem to promise you a better job. Below are some tips on how to choose the best web development certification for your career.
Make sure the certification is recognized in your area
If you do decide to pursue a certification, it’s important to make sure that it’s recognized in your area before spending any money on classes or exams. You should check with local companies that hire for web developer jobs either by reaching out to a hiring manager or by reading job postings.
Assess your budget
When you’re trying to decide which web development certifications are right for your career, don’t forget about your budget. Consider the cost of the exam, whether you need to take prep courses, renewal costs, and organization membership costs.
Consider your career stage
If you want to become a web developer, you may want to start with a basic certification to give you an edge over other candidates for entry-level jobs. If you already have a job in web development, you may want to pursue a more advanced certification that will help you move up in your company.
Which Web Development Certifications Pay the Most?
The web development certifications that pay the most are Google’s Professional Cloud Developer Certification, Cisco Certified Network Professional Service Provider Certification, and Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals Certification. These product-specific certifications from software companies come with higher salaries than more general certifications.
Highest-Paying Web Development Certifications
- Professional Cloud Developer Certification: $10,000
- Cisco Certified Network Professional Service Provider Certification: $100,000
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals Certification : $99,066
- Certified ScrumMaster Certification: $94,727
- SAP Certified Development Associate – SAP Cloud SDK Extensibility Developer Certification: $91,000
Which Web Development Certifications Are the Best for Beginners?
The web development certifications that are best for beginners are the ones offered by professional organizations. These certifications are designed to be broader, and they will help you learn everything you need to know to get started in web development.
Best College Certificate Programs
[query_class_embed] *subject-grad-undergrad-certificate
"Career Karma entered my life when I needed it most and quickly helped me match with a bootcamp. Two months after graduating, I found my dream job that aligned with my values and goals in life!"
Venus, Software Engineer at Rockbot
How to Prepare for Your Web Development Certification Exam
There are a number of ways to prepare for your web development certification exam, but the best web development exam prep method is to enroll in an online course. These guided study modules will cover basic and advanced topics that you need to understand to pass the exam.
Best Courses to Prepare for Web Development Certification Exams
The best web development courses to prepare for web development certification allow you to work at your own pace and learn at your own speed. These comprehensive courses will give you a sense of what’s expected of you on the exam and help you understand how each concept is connected to other topics, so you can understand the principles rather than memorize them.
Other Resources to Prepare for Your Web Development Certification Exams
As you prepare for your web development certification exams, you may feel overwhelmed by the wide variety of resources that are available to help you study. Courses can be expensive and time-consuming, especially if you already have some background knowledge. Here are some more affordable resources that can help you self-study for your certification exam.
Dev Community
Dev Community is a web developer online forum. It’s a great resource to prepare for web development certifications because you can get feedback from other developers, ask questions, and learn from their experiences. This online community has over 869,900 members.
Dev Community Overview
- Type of Resource: Online Community
- Cost: Free
- Ideal For: People who want to communicate with other web developers for certification and career advice
CodeAcademy
You can learn to code with CodeAcademy’s free coding classes in different programming languages such as Python, Java, JavaScript, Ruby, SQL, HTML, and CSS. This free online learning platform is a great way to learn skills that you’ll need for different certification exams.
CodeAcademy Overview
- Type of Resource: Online courses
- Cost: Free
- Ideal For: People who want to learn to code for free or want to brush up on their coding skills
Secrets of the JavaScript Ninja by John Resig, Bear Bibeault, and Josip Maras
This book is great for learning JavaScript core concepts and techniques. It clearly illustrates each concept so you can master topics like functions, closures, and objects. This manual is written from the perspective of skilled JavaScript practitioners.
Secrets of the JavaScript Ninja Overview
- Type of Resource: Book or eBook
- Cost: $44.99 (New)
- Ideal For: People who want to learn JavaScript
DevTips YouTube Channel
DevTips YouTube Channel is a web development vlog. It focuses on both web development and how to design responsive websites. It is ideal for those who are interested in both web development and design. You can watch basic tutorials for beginners and learn from experienced web developers through live interviews.
DevTips Overview
- Type of Resource: YouTube Channel
- Cost: Free
- Ideal For: Beginners who want to learn about design and development from other web developers
Coding Bootcamps
If you want a more comprehensive certification exam prep, you can join a coding bootcamp to learn how to code. Coding bootcamps are an excellent way for people who have little or no coding experience to learn functional programming techniques to produce high-quality websites. Coding bootcamps like Brainstation and Flatiron School help you develop the skills necessary to succeed as a web developer through hands-on training.
Coding Bootcamps Overview
- Type of Resource: Bootcamp
- Cost: Varies by bootcamp
- Ideal For: People with little or no coding experience
Best Online Courses
[query_class_embed] online-*subject-courses
Web Development Job Outlook and Average Salary
Web development is one of the highest-paying careers with a flexible schedule, and this career path also has strong job growth. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, web developer jobs will grow 13% from 2020 to 2030, which is faster than the national average. The median annual wage for web developers and digital designers was $77,200 in May 2020.
Web development certifications can help you prove to potential employers that you’re a great fit for the job. There are different certifications for key skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in this field. Certifications also help keep you ahead of the curve as technology continues to change because you have to take continuing education credits to keep your certification from expiring.
Best Web Development Jobs After Certification
Web development certifications are a great way to help you land the web development job you want. A web development certification shows employers that you have taken the time to learn about the current web development skills and tools. Below are some web development jobs that require different certifications and their average salaries.
Best Web Development Associations
The best web development associations are those that embrace new ideas and technologies and help their members succeed. A good professional association has a strong sense of community and a willingness to help each other out. It should have plenty of networking opportunities to help its members find high-quality employment opportunities.
International Web Association
The International Web Association was founded in 1996, and today it has over 300,000 members worldwide. It provides Certified Web Professional certifications at three different levels of experience in a variety of topics, like applications development. They also offer online courses and a job board with plenty of opportunities.
American Webmasters Association
The American Webmasters Association (AWA) connects web professionals to industry leaders for professional success through networking opportunities, career resources, and a community of like-minded professionals. Members of this professional network can use the AWA member logo and list AWA membership on their resumes.
World Organization of Webmasters
World Organization of Webmasters (WOW), also known as WebProfessionals.org, is a non-profit professional network of industry professionals, publishers, educators, government agencies, and other organizations that create and manage websites. WOW members have access to educational content, networking opportunities, and a web professional certification program.
Are Web Development Certifications Worth It?
Yes, web development certifications are worth it, especially if you want to improve your earning potential. They are an attractive option to stand out from the crowd, particularly in career paths where there is a lot of competition. Certifications prove to potential employers that you have a firm understanding of web development concepts, techniques, and best practices.
Additional Reading About Web Development
[query_class_embed] https://careerkarma.com/blog/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-web-developer/ https://careerkarma.com/blog/review-of-web-development-bootcamp-brainstation/ https://careerkarma.com/blog/online-web-development-courses/
Web Development Certifications FAQ
Front end web development is the work that you can see on a website, like a website’s layout and design. Backend development is the work that you don’t see that helps your site run smoothly and securely. Full stack development combines both front end and backend development. All three types of web development are key to making high-quality websites.
Yes, you need coding skills to become a web developer. To become an advanced web developer, you need to know a range of functional programming techniques in popular programming languages like HTML and CSS, as well as more advanced languages like JavaScript.
Yes, you can become a successful web developer without certifications, but it might be more difficult to land certain developer jobs. Certification proves that you have solid web development foundations. Another way to prove your skills is with a portfolio of projects. Without any certifications, you’ll need a robust portfolio that showcases real-world projects and skills.
Whether or not you need a design certification to become a web developer depends on the type of development you want to do. If you want to become a web designer or front-end web developer, you’ll need graphic design skills and a certification in common design tools, like Adobe Certified Expert.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
