PHP Developer: Job Duties, Skills and Salary 2025

What You’ll Learn About PHP Developers

What Does a PHP Developer Do?
Key Duties & Responsibilities
How to Become a PHP Developer
PHP Developer Salary Guide
How to Advance Your Career
Typical Work Environment

What Does a PHP Developer do?

As a PHP Developer, you'll be responsible for building and maintaining web applications and dynamic websites using PHP programming language. Your role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams to understand project requirements, designing and implementing backend solutions, and optimizing application performance. You'll also troubleshoot bugs, conduct code reviews, and stay updated on PHP frameworks and best practices

Key Duties & Responsibilities

PHP Developers in the IT & Development field handle essential tasks and contribute significantly to achieving team and organizational goals. Here are some of their primary responsibilities:

Collaborate with project stakeholders to understand requirements and translate them into technical solutions.
Develop and maintain backend components of web applications using PHP and related frameworks.
Optimize application performance and scalability through efficient code and database design.
Conduct code reviews, debugging, and troubleshooting to ensure code quality and reliability.
Stay updated on industry trends and best practices in PHP development.
Document technical specifications and provide support to other team members as needed.

How to Become a PHP Developer

Launching a career as a PHP Developer requires a specific education. We outline the essential qualifications, skills, and steps to enter this field.

Qualification

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field; relevant certifications a plus.
Proven experience as a PHP Developer, with a strong portfolio of web applications.
Proficiency in PHP programming language and related frameworks such as Laravel, Symfony, or CodeIgniter.
Knowledge of frontend technologies including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and jQuery.
Experience with database management systems, such as MySQL or PostgreSQL.

Requirements & Skills

Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
Willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies and frameworks.
Experience with version control systems such as Git is a plus.

PHP Developer Salary Guide

Wondering what PHP Developers earn? Explore salary ranges by experience, and career tips to maximize your earning potential.

Job	Branch	Avg. US Salary
PHP Developer	IT & Development	87,500 USD

The average salary for a PHP Developer in the U.S. is approximately $87,500 per year and can vary from entry-level to senior positions. PHP Developers may receive a wide range of benefits.

PHP Developer Salary Career Steps

Level	Experience	Avg. Salary per Year
Veteran	20+ years	$109,375
Senior	11+ years	$96,250
Experienced	6-10 years	$87,500
Mid Level	3-5 years	$78,750
Entry Level	0-2 years	$65,625

To explore more detailed salary information, including specific salary estimates in your country, visit the PHP Developer Salary Country Overview.

How to Advance Your Career

PHP Developers typically begin their careers with a strong foundation in computer science, often holding a bachelor’s degree in the field or related areas such as software engineering or web development. They gain initial experience by working on small to medium-sized projects that use PHP as a server-side scripting language. This hands-on experience is crucial for mastering PHP, understanding client-server architecture, and getting familiar with databases like MySQL, along with other web technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

As PHP Developers advance in their careers, they may take on larger, more complex projects, or specialize in areas such as content management systems (CMS), e-commerce platforms, or frameworks like Laravel and Symfony. Professional growth often includes roles such as Senior PHP Developer, where they lead development teams or manage multiple projects. Continued education, mastering related technologies, and gaining certifications in software development methodologies or project management can further enhance career opportunities and lead to positions such as Software Architect or Project Manager.

Experienced PHP Developers may also freelance or start their own businesses, offering their expertise to a range of clients on a project basis. Staying updated with the latest programming trends, new technologies, and best practices in web development is crucial for maintaining relevance and competitiveness in the field.