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.
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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
A Professional Cloud Developer Certification from Google is designed for people who use Google practices and tools to build cloud-compatible applications. You must be proficient in one programming language and you should have at least three years of industry experience, which includes at least a year of designing and managing solutions in Google Cloud.
Professional Cloud Developer Certification Overview
- Average Salary: $100,000
- Cost: $200
- Requirements: Proficient in one programming language, 3+ years of hands-on experience with Google Cloud (recommended)
- Valid For: 2 years
- Exam Length: 2 hours
- Best Suited For: Experienced cloud developers who use Google Cloud products
Potential Careers With Professional Cloud Developer Certification
The certification verifies your skills in maintaining Cisco applications and platforms. This certification has a core exam and a concentration exam. With the service provider certification, you can take a concentration exam on advanced routing, automation, or VPN services.
Cisco Certified Network Professional Service Provider Certification Overview
- Average Salary: $100,000
- Cost: $700
- Requirements: 3-5 years experience as a network service provider (recommended)
- Valid For: 3 years
- Exam Length: 120-minute core exam and 90-minute concentration exam
- Best Suited For: Network administrators with some work experience who need to demonstrate proficiency with Cisco systems
Potential Careers With Cisco Certified Network Professional Service Provider Certification
This certification is proof of your knowledge of cloud concepts, Azure services, security and privacy in Azure, and Azure pricing and support. This certification is not a prerequisite for working in Azure unless specifically required by a potential employer.
Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals Certification Overview
- Average Salary: $99,066
- Cost: $99
- Requirements: Foundational knowledge and background on cloud services
- Valid For: Does not expire
- Exam Length: 45 minutes
- Best Suited For: Professionals who are already familiar with cloud services who want to start working in Azure
Potential Careers With Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals Certification
The ScrumMaster Certification is for people who want a framework for managing projects. Scrum is applicable for complex projects across many industries, so web developers and data scientists will find this certification beneficial to manage workflows.
Certified ScrumMaster Certification Overview
- Average Salary: $94,727
- Cost: $495 (average cost of mandatory course)
- Requirements: 16-hour online or in-person training course
- Valid For: 2 years
- Exam Length: 60 minutes to complete 50 multiple-choice exam questions
- Best Suited For: Web developers in management roles
Potential Careers With Certified ScrumMaster Certification
This certification is an entry-level credential for web developers who work with SAP Cloud SDK. These skills are useful for SAP developers who want to add cloud-based applications to existing software or for cloud developers looking for a new tool to build cloud-based applications.
SAP Certified Development Associate - SAP Cloud SDK Extensibility Developer Certification Overview
- Average Salary: $91,000
- Cost: $224
- Requirements: None
- Valid For: 5 years
- Exam Length: 180 minutes for 80 questions
- Best Suited For: Entry-level professionals who work with SAP Cloud SDK
Potential Careers With SAP Certified Development Associate - SAP Cloud SDK Extensibility Developer Certification
The MySQL 8.0 Database Developer Certification from Oracle is a testament that you have the required knowledge and skills to use the 8.0 version of MySQL database. It demonstrates your mastery of optimizing performance, backend development, and creating stored programs that are required in this field.
MySQL 8.0 Database Developer Oracle Certified Professional Certification Overview
- Average Salary: $91,000
- Cost: $245
- Requirements: Optional course and labs
- Valid For: 18 months
- Exam Length: 90 minutes for 65 questions
- Best Suited For: For consultants and developers who want to stay up to date with the latest knowledge and skills
Potential Careers With MySQL 8.0 Database Developer Oracle Certified Professional Certification
This certification proves that you know how to program in JavaScript. The exam covers JavaScript language essentials, code development, scripts, and web content creation. This certification shows your mastery of JavaScript for web development tasks and is useful for a full stack web developer.
CIW JavaScript Specialist Certification Overview
- Average Salary: $87,000
- Cost: $150
- Requirements: Must have experience in web development and network configuration, working knowledge of HTML codes, CIW Web Foundations Associate certification or equivalent
- Valid For: Does not expire
- Exam Length: 90 minutes for 55 questions
- Best Suited For: People with web development experience who want to upskill in full-stack web development
Potential Careers With CIW JavaScript Specialist Certification
This certification is for both aspiring and professional web developers. Through this certification, you can demonstrate that you have a solid foundation of a variety of web development tools, coding experience, website management, and web development best practices.
Certified Web Associate Webmaster Certification Overview
- Average Salary: $66,000
- Cost: $95
- Requirements: Must have experience working on various web management and development jobs and working knowledge of Internet basics, front end development, and web project management. Must be a member of the World Organization of Webmasters.
- Valid For: No expiration date
- Exam Length: 60 minutes for 70 questions
- Best Suited For: Aspiring or practicing webmasters and web developers with experience in front end web development and backend development
Potential Careers With Certified Web Associate Webmaster Certification
This certification exam covers topics in web project management, legal and business issues, audio and video, security, databases, and coding in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. With these web development tools, you can create responsive websites.
Certified Web Developer Associate Certification Overview
- Average Salary: $65,000
- Cost: $95
- Requirements: Working knowledge of web development concepts
- Valid For: No expiration date
- Exam Length: 60 minutes with 70 questions
- Best Suited For: Web developers with some experience
Potential Careers With Certified Web Developer Associate Certification
This professional certification is the middle level of International Web Association certifications, between the Associate level and Master Specialist level. This certification demonstrates that you have professional work experience as a web developer and that you have been successful in programming or server administration.
Certified Web Professional Web Developer Certification Overview
- Average Salary: $65,000
- Cost: $80
- Requirements: Must be a member of the International Web Association (IWA) and have 2 years of full-time web development work experience
- Valid For: No expiration for the certification, but must maintain IWA membership
- Exam Length: No exam, application
- Best Suited For: Experienced web developers who have working knowledge in front end, backend, or full stack web development
Potential Careers With Certified Web Professional Web Developer Certification
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
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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.
- Cost: $249
- Duration: Self-paced
- Best Suited For: CIW JavaScript Specialist Certification
This preparation course for the CIW JavaScript Specialist Certification exam is a self-paced, online resource. You will learn and master JavaScript principles and programming techniques through lessons, labs, and practice tests.
- Cost: $29/month
- Duration: Self-paced
- Best Suited For: Google’s Professional Cloud Developer Certification
If you are just getting started using Google Cloud tools, this is the class for you. You’ll learn specific terminology and key concepts for working in Google Cloud. This course also covers Google policies and resources.
- Cost: Free
- Duration: 22 hours
- Best Suited For: Certified Web Professional Web Developer Certification, CIW JavaScript Specialist Certification
This free course will help you get started in web development and design. You can use this as exam prep for several web development certifications. By the end of this course, you will be able to create high-quality websites and content with CSS, HTML, and JavaScript.
- Cost: $800
- Duration: Content available for 180 days
- Best Suited For: Cisco Certified Network Professional Service Provider Certification
This course is geared towards professionals with little to no experience working with Cisco products, who want to become Cisco Certified Network Professionals. Content includes lessons and hands-on practice problems.
- Cost: Varies by instructor
- Duration: 2-3 days
- Best Suited For: Certified ScrumMaster Certification
You can use this course as test prep for the Certified Scrum Master exam from Scrum Alliance, or you can take the free assessment for Professional Scrum Master certification that is included in the course fee. Either way, you will learn Scrum project management techniques that are hugely popular in professional web development.
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
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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.
A cloud developer is a programmer who creates applications for cloud computing environments using Amazon Web Services (AWS) or Microsoft Azure. Projects can include websites and mobile applications.
Best Certification for the Job Role
Professional Cloud Developer Certification. This certification allows cloud developers to demonstrate their expertise in a wide range of tools from Google Cloud services.
Database administrators are IT professionals who manage the databases for businesses. They ensure that data is stored and managed in a reliable and secure way. They may be asked to design new databases or upgrade existing databases.
Best Certification for the Job Role
MySQL 8.0 Database Developer. This certification shows that you know how to use MySQL database management system, a common choice for databases in many fields.
A systems engineer is a person who designs, builds, and maintains computer systems. Systems engineers work with software developers, project managers, and business analysts to design new systems or modify existing systems to meet a company’s needs.
Best Certification for the Job Role
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals. Systems engineers can end up working in different software environments, depending on the company. Some systems engineers will need to show proven proficiency in cloud computing using Microsoft Azure.
A front end web developer is responsible for creating the user interface and all of the visual elements of a website. Front end developers are often tasked with developing and maintaining websites, but they also may be responsible for designing websites as well.
Best Certification for the Job Role
Certified Professional Web Developer (CPWDV). This certification is the best option for front end web developers who want to show their proficiency in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
A web developer specializes in creating websites and mobile applications. This can include designing databases, writing code, and fixing problems. Web developers need skills in programming, designing, math, and problem-solving.
Best Certification for the Job Role
Certified Web Developer Associate (CWDVA). This is a great certification for inexperienced web developers looking for their first job. It demonstrates foundational knowledge in key areas of web development.
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
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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.
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