PHP Developer Job Description Sample

PHP Developers use technologies like PHP, JavaScript, MySQL and AJAX to design, develop and maintain a wide range of websites and applications meant for use on the World Wide Web. They are employed in a variety of software and IT companies for carrying out web application development, technical support and bug fixing.

(This is a sample PHP Developer Job Description which you can customize and use for posting on career-related websites.)

Job brief

We are looking for a PHP Developer with X years of experience (specify the number of years according to the needs of your project) in the skills mentioned below.

(Give a short explanation about your company, the skills required, and the kind of perks and career growth one can expect working for you as a PHP Developer)

PHP developer - Responsibilities and Deliverables

• Follow industry best practices
• Should be able to work independently and also as part of a team
• Report to project managers on the status of the project
• Oversee projects throughout the product lifecycle
• Manage data storage (such as databases and blob stores for example)
• Create and edit PHP for WordPress templates
• Develop and maintain websites
• Assist with technical support for websites
• Carryout testing for various types of browsers
• Make sure the projects are completed within deadlines
• Test and maintain finished products
• Prepare project timeline, application specifications and test plans

(You can add more responsibilities as per the needs of your project or organization)

Education and training required to become a PHP developer

The education requirements for becoming a PHP developer usually varies according to the individual and his/her career ambitions. Usually, a bachelor’s degree in computers science or IT would suffice for working in small to medium sized companies. A degree is not compulsory for PHP developers, though. Many freelancers and self-employed folks just depend on loads of experience in the PHP arena rather than an academic degree. You can easily get started in the world of PHP by using tools available online for learning. This may include video tutorials, online classes on working with PHP scripts etc. Some employers prefer candidates who have completed a certificate course in web development using PHP. You are also expected to have a thorough understanding of other languages like MySQL, JavaScript, and AJAX.

Required skills

• PHP web frameworks (according to your technology stack)
• You should have a clear understanding of popular technologies used for frontend Web Development. (Examples include JavaScript, CSS3 and HTML5)
• Experience in Object Oriented PHP programming (to develop object oriented PHP apps)
• Acquaintance with Security compliance
• Ability to create database schemas (to show how the data is organized)
• Experience in responsive design
• Knowledge of SQL/NoSQL databases
• Skill in code versioning tools (Git is an example)
• Familiarity with Unix/Linux
• Knowledge of web graphics tools

Personal skills

• Good communication skills (to connect clearly and confidently with team members)
• Should be a self-starter
• Should be willing to constantly learn new development tools
• Should have a passion for trying out new technologies in the field
• Team player (ability to work as part of a cross functional team)

PHP Developer Salary

According to indeed.com, PHP Developers are earning an average salary of $86,355 annually. The salary lies in the range of $30,000 to $171,000.

The good

• PHP is one of the most commonly used languages in web development (translates to more opportunities)
• The language is easy to learn
• Plenty of opportunities for freelancing
• High pay (you can apply for a higher salary with just one year experience)
• Low server maintenance charges
• Abundance of open source libraries

The bad

• You have to learn and stay abreast of several frameworks, like JS, Django, Node.js, Ruby, Rails, among others
• You may be expected to put in long hours to handle tight deadlines
• Clients may keep changing the requirements (especially towards project close)
• Delayed payments (happens when there is an extension of timeline)
• Loads of meetings and discussions (may be stressful for introverted PHP developers)
• Slow paying clients (a common worry for freelance PHP developers)

Work conditions

PHP developers usually work in regular day jobs as part of a web development team. However, there also those who work as freelancers on their own flexible schedules from the comfort of their home. A hectic work schedule is not uncommon, especially when deadlines loom. Some PHP Developers move on to starting their own business after putting a few years into freelancing.

Career outlook

As you become more familiar with the technology and gain some experience in working with a variety of teams and engineers, you can look forward to becoming a technical lead. After you have contributed in several PHP developments projects, you can decide either to continue programming or move on to a managerial role. The demand for developers (which includes those working on PHP) is expected to rise in the near future. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of developers in general will climb by 17% from 2014 to 2024.