How to Become a Web Developer in Ohio

Online Web Development Education in Ohio

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According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for web developers and digital designers is projected to grow 23% from 2021 to 2031. This is much faster than the average for all occupations and will result in an increase of about 21,800 job openings each year.

While web developers can work in almost any industry, they are commonly employed by companies offering professional and business services. This is the second largest industry in Ohio, accounting for $77.3 billion in revenue each year.

Based on data provided by the BLS, Ohio employed 2,040 web developers in May 2022. The annual mean wage for these professionals was $87,690. The state also employed 2,910 web and digital interface designers, with an annual mean wage of $81,890. Both of these amounts are higher than the state’s reported annual mean wage of $56,530 for all occupations.

Web development or web design is a relatively popular major in the United States. To accommodate the growing demand for information technology education options, many colleges and universities throughout the nation offer academic degree programs in the subject. Those planning to pursue employment in Ohio, however, are likely to benefit from enrolling with academic institutions located in the state. These schools offer the most geographically relevant curriculums, ensuring you possess the knowledge and skills local employers seek most in job candidates.

Students interested in associate or bachelor's degree programs in web design and development will have many options across the state. These options include the Cuyahoga Community College District, Liberty University, Ohio State University, Ohio State University at Lima, Ohio State University at Newark, Franklin University, Stark State College, and a variety of other four-year institutions.

Those seeking professional web design and development positions will likely need some amount of higher education to qualify for employment in Ohio. With computer science and information technology on the rise, many colleges and universities in the state offer web development degrees at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Some institutions also offer relevant professional undergraduate and graduate certificate programs focused on computer science or web design and development. While these often take less time to complete, they do not carry the same academic weight as traditional degrees. Both in-person and online enrollment options are typically available.

Unlike with some other professions, education requirements for web developers can vary wildly. While most professionals in the field seek bachelor’s degrees, some organizations may be willing to hire candidates with high school diplomas or GEDs only. Some employers are more interested in candidate knowledge and skills than their academic records. It’s sometimes possible to learn these things outside of traditional classrooms and gain experience while working.

Notably, the best and highest-paying jobs are typically acquired by individuals with more advanced degrees in the field. This is particularly true for occupations with supervisory components. These positions often require candidates to have completed graduate school.

Become a Web Developer in Ohio

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The first step to becoming a web developer in Ohio is determining exactly what kind of work you want to perform. The field of information technology is incredibly expansive, with numerous job opportunities available at every level. Identifying a preferred occupation early will make it significantly easier to set and reach your career goals.

Employment standards and hiring expectations vary by profession. As a result, it’s important to spend some time familiarizing yourself with the education, training, and experience requirements associated with your job of choice. This ensures that you pursue the most appropriate type of degree and can also help you select relevant elective courses, academic minors, departmental concentrations, extra-curricular activities, and/or internship opportunities you want to pursue.

It's also important to realize that many companies establish their own hiring standards. While some businesses may be satisfied with candidates who possess bachelor’s associate or bachelor’s degrees, others may only consider applicants who have completed graduate-level programs. Even if your preferred occupation has low education expectations, you may have greater success after earning a more advanced degree.

Additionally, it may not be entirely necessary that you study web development while enrolled. While the major is ideal for individuals interested in creating websites and performing other digital design work, there are several other related subjects that may be equally acceptable when entering the field. Some common undergraduate alternatives include computer science or programming.

Further, some web development professionals find jobs without completing any higher education. This is not standard, but it is possible to obtain the necessary knowledge and skills through independent study and experience. As long as you can demonstrate a strong understanding of various multimedia publishing tools and HTML programming, it may be possible to become employed. Familiarity with other programming languages, such as JavaScript and SQL, is also beneficial.

After obtaining the necessary degree(s), you may also benefit from pursuing one or more relevant certifications. This often highlights expertise in certain sub-fields and may help differentiate you from other candidates when applying for jobs.

There is no required or single most important credential for professionals in this field. As a result, individuals in this field are generally free to select which certification(s) they want to pursue based on personal interest and/or their career aspirations.

Some common credentials sought by web development specialists include:

Certifications relevant to web development are often offered by academic institutions, professional organizations, and reputable companies. As some options carry more weight than others, however, it’s always a good idea to verify the credibility of the credential provider prior to beginning the application process. Other factors to consider when picking which credential(s) to pursue are price, provider, required skill level, and candidate expectations.

It's also common for web development professionals to pay for memberships with relevant associations and organizations. Gaining membership to one or more of these groups often has many great benefits. While the specifics vary, members typically obtain access to many helpful developmental activities, relevant academic journals, networking events, discounts, and other resources.

Some popular examples include:

Potential Careers for Graduates

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