There are different positions involved in creating and maintaining a site in web development. In smaller operations, one person is responsible for multiple positions. In larger operations, each position is dedicated to a specific person.

If you’re looking into a career it may help to know the different web developer job descriptions. Look over each of these jobs and have an idea of which, if any, you’d like to focus on.

Best Fit

As I said before many times just one person, or a small team handles all these jobs. While it may be more work, learning all the following areas will increase your chances of a good job.

There are positions that are a standard in the web development field. The industry is ever changing calling for more and more specialized jobs. Learn about the more prominent ones as they have a more demand in the industry.

Graphic Designer

It is the job of a graphic designer to design headers, logos, buttons, menus, backgrounds, and icons on a website. The designer must have a good understanding of the company’s culture. Knowing how the marketing is changing and colors theory to effectively design.

They must have an understanding of the limitations of the web coder. Knowing some basic knowledge of HTML and CSS gives them an advantage. They have an understand on how it will translate to the working website.

Average Salary: $36,000 / year

Specialized Positions

• Interactive Graphic Designer
• Lead Graphic Designer
• Senior Graphic Designer

Web Designer

The job of a web designer is to take the ideas of the client and the work of the graphic designer and turn it into a coherent web design. They may use tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or some similar web page design software to create their design.

It is importance that they understand some coding. Knowing the limitations of web development will ensure the design can function properly.

Average Salary: $64,000 / year

Specialized Positions

• Web Functional Design
• Web Designer Responsive Design
• Senior UI

Web Programmer

Once the design work is done a web programmer comes in. A web programmer will have knowledge of different web programming languages. Which can be used with the different styles of web programming, frontend and backend.

Frontend using languages like CSS, HTML, and JavaScript. This is where ideas and graphics come to life visually for the user.

Backend programming deals with server side code like PHP, Perl, Ruby, or Python. These coding languages integrate with databases like MySQL. This deals will calculations, algorithms, and data entry.

Their job is a hard and some times tedious. Some languages can months to years to learn and a lifetime to perfect.

Average Salary: $55,000 / year

Specialized Positions

• Web Programmer Analyst
• Web Application Programmer
• Senior Web Developer

Server Admin

A server admin, or administrator, has overall control over the server on and the web hosting performance. Their job is to design and install components on a company’s server and make sure it runs well.

This can include a company's actual site, their internal databases, emails, etc. Their job is a challenging and ongoing. One that requires lots of attention to detail and understanding of all elements of web development.

Average Salary: $61,000 / year

Specialized Positions

• Windows Server Administrator
• Linux Server Administrator
• Senior Server Administrator

Database Administrator

The job of a database administrator is the over all control of a systems databases. This can include planning for:

• Backups and recovery
• Installing and updating individual databases
• Planning future storage
• Organization
• Database security
• Managing database connection
• Managing users

This admin must have knowledge of the multiple operating systems. Which include database design and understanding of structured query languages.

Average Salary: $48,000 / year

Specialized Positions

• MySQL Database Administrator
• SQL Database Administrator
• Senior Database Administrator

Webmaster

The jobs of a webmaster are many-fold and require a person who is detail oriented and well organized. To name just a few of their many tasks a web administrator may find themselves in charge of:

• Creating user accounts
• Creating emails accounts
• Site security
• General server maintenance
• Content management
• Installing and maintaining sever software

Their job is often over looked. This is because the only interaction they have with employees is when they create user accounts or when there is a web development question. They are one of the single most important and key figures in web development and maintenance.

Average Salary: $42,000 / year

Specialized Positions

• Webmaster Web Developer
• Website Manager
• Website Content Manager