2025 is here and you might be thinking it’s the right time for a career change. Does web development seem like an interesting move? We agree: here’s everything you need to know about becoming a Web Developer in 2025.
Why Web Development?
To put it simply: web developers both create and maintain websites and focus on the backend of the website, such as its technical design, performance, capacity, speed, and capabilities. Depending on the role itself, web developers could also help create content for the site, thanks to their expertise in the area. The reasons to become a web developer are numerous, but here’s a quick outline of the five main ones:
Web development is an up-and-coming career: web developers are in high demand thanks to their essential role in basically any company. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for web developers and digital designers is projected to grow by 16% between 2022 and 2032—much faster than the average for all occupations.
Web developers are well-paid: as such an in-demand role, web developers are well compensated for their work. And some roles don’t even require advanced degrees; bootcamps or specialized courses can set you on the right track. The median annual salary for web developers in the U.S. was $80,730 in 2023, with experienced developers earning significantly more.
Web developers have a wide range of career options: did you know that web developers can work in a variety of roles in a diverse range of industries? We did. That’s another reason why web developers are in such high demand.
Web developers can use their creativity: lots of people associate technology jobs with staring at numbers and computer screens; that couldn’t be further from the truth. The wide range of roles that developers hold means that there’s lots of room for creativity and fun.
Web developers have flexibility: whether you want to work as a freelance web developer or join a company, you have lots of options. Choose what best works for you, especially as you begin your career in web development.
What Do Web Developers Do?
As we mentioned above, web developers can take on a number of responsibilities and roles. However, most fall under these categories: backend developers, frontend developers, and fullstack developers. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Backend developers
This is the more technical part of web development: backend developers write the website’s code, create its structure, and ensure everything runs smoothly. When there’s an issue, other team members come to backend developers for support. In 2025, backend developers are also increasingly working with AI-powered infrastructure and cloud-based serverless architectures to improve scalability and performance. Tools like AWS Lambda and Google Cloud Run are now common in backend workflows.
Frontend developers
As the name suggests, frontend developers work on the side of the website that visitors see and design the physical layout of each page, incorporate graphics and use HTML and JavaScript to improve the script. In 2025, frontend devs are also using frameworks like React, Vue, and Angular to build lightning-fast, mobile-first experiences—and accessibility is more important than ever, especially with rising regulatory standards across regions.
Fullstack developers
You might have guessed it: fullstack developers work on both the back and front ends, typically on teams that don’t have the budget or resources to employ both frontend and backend developers. However, these developers must have the knowledge necessary to complete both roles. Fullstack developers are especially valued in startups and scale-ups in 2025, where agility is key and one person might manage several layers of the product lifecycle.
Career Options in Web Development
Web developers are in high demand because basically every company needs a website and skilled developers to help them make the most of their site. Web developers boast the following hard skills:
Technical communication
Computer programming
Website design and development
Cybersecurity
Project management
That’s why web developers have a wide range of career options available to them:
Graphic design
Database administration
Application development
UX design
Cybersecurity
In 2025, demand for web developers continues to grow, particularly in areas like web accessibility, AI integration, and mobile optimization. Companies are also hiring more web developers with experience in cross-functional teams and agile development, as workflows become increasingly collaborative. According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, software and application development is among the top 10 fastest-growing professions globally.
Web Development with Ironhack
Ironhack’s Web Development bootcamp is specifically designed to kickstart your career in the web development industry. Ready to take on a new challenge? Here’s a breakdown of our web development bootcamp:
Module 0 - Online prework
Decided to take Ironhack’s web development bootcamp? Amazing! Once you’re accepted into the course, you’ll be given 50 hours of prework to learn the fundamentals of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Once completed, you’ll have the skills to succeed in the bootcamp, know the Ironhack team both globally and at your campus, and be ready to take on the course’s challenges.
Module 1 - Frontend Fundamentals
Responsive design with HTML, CSS, & JavaScript
In Module 1, you’ll build the essential foundations of web development and set yourself up for success as a future full-stack developer.
Building a Strong Foundation
Start by creating and styling your own web pages with HTML and CSS. Learn how to collaborate like a pro with Git and GitHub, and practice real-world teamwork through pair programming and problem-solving exercises. Strengthen your programming skills with JavaScript fundamentals, variables, loops, functions, arrays, and objects while also exploring basic algorithms and unit testing with Jasmine. Along the way, you’ll set up your development environment with VS Code, Codeium, and Replit AI to prepare for a modern coding workflow.
Practical Application
Put your skills into action by cloning popular websites and completing interactive JavaScript exercises. Learn how to use AI responsibly as a tutor and debugging assistant, gaining confidence in troubleshooting and reviewing AI suggestions. By the end of this module, you’ll have a solid toolkit for building, styling, and debugging your own web projects.
Module 2 - JavaScript Deep Dive
Backend
Module 2 is where you'll deepen your backend knowledge and seamlessly integrate React into your skill set.
Mastering Frontend with React
Dive deep into ReactJS, a powerful front-end framework used by tech giants. Embrace single-page applications (SPAs) and component-based development. By the end of the module, you'll be well-versed in technology utilized by the biggest tech companies worldwide. Learn to make HTTP requests from your client-side React application and integrate them with APIs.
Collaborative Projects
Work in pairs, simulating real-world collaboration seen in tech companies. Utilize your newfound skills to create your first React web application.
AI introduced as a coding partner for generation, review, and optimization. All AI use must be documented and critically evaluated.
Module 3 - React Basics + AI UI Prototyping
Frontend
In this module, you’ll step into the world of modern frontend development and master the fundamentals of React, one of the most in-demand libraries in the industry.
React Foundations and Modern Tooling
Begin with Node.js and NPM to set up the environment you’ll need for running React applications. Learn how to quickly spin up projects using Vite, the modern build tool that makes development faster and seamlessly integrates with AI-enhanced IDEs. Dive into React essentials components, props, state, events, lists, keys, and conditional rendering before moving into more advanced topics like routing and forms. Along the way, you’ll explore modern JavaScript features such as destructuring, spread, and rest operators, which are key to efficient React coding.
AI-Assisted Development
Harness AI to accelerate your learning and development. Use Codeium for component generation and React-specific suggestions, while leveraging ChatGPT and Claude for debugging and deepening your understanding of React concepts. Experience how modern AI tools can enhance speed and efficiency, all while building a strong foundation in React principles.
By the end of this module, you’ll be confident in building interactive single-page applications with React, equipped with both professional workflows and AI-powered support that mirror how development happens in the real world.
Module 4 - React Advanced + Front / Back Integration
You’ll take your React skills to the next level and start building data-driven applications that feel ready for the real world.
Advanced React and API Integration
Master the Fetch API, promises, and async/await to handle live data. Deepen your understanding of React with hooks and lifecycle management to create dynamic, responsive interfaces. Learn to integrate front-end and back-end services, build mock APIs, collaborate with GitHub, and deploy to the cloud. With AI by your side, you’ll generate smarter integration code, debug faster, and confidently manage complex asynchronous workflows.
Project 2: Portfolio-Ready React Application
Put your skills into practice with a 50-hour project building a single-page React app (SPA). You’ll design multiple views, manage full CRUD operations, and connect your app to either a mock backend or an external API. Following Agile methods, you’ll collaborate in stand-ups, work iteratively, and finish with a fully deployed app online documented in GitHub and ready to shine in your portfolio.
AI-Enhanced Workflow
Throughout the project, you’ll log your AI-assisted development process, from code generation to deployment. This is your first step into professional AI workflows, combining speed, precision, and accountability.
By the end, you won’t just know React you’ll have built, deployed, and documented a production-level app with AI-accelerated development.
Module 5 - Backend & Full-stack Fundamentals
Step into full-stack development, mastering backend and advanced frontend skills while integrating professional AI workflows.
Backend Foundations
Learn to build server-side applications with Node.js and Express, create REST APIs, and work with MongoDB for database management. Use Mongoose for data modeling, middleware for request handling, and perform CRUD operations with advanced querying.
Advanced Frontend
On the frontend, you’ll go deeper into React with Context API for state management, token-based authentication, and strategies for organizing HTTP requests. You’ll also prepare your applications for deployment with error handling and professional workflows.
Capstone Project 3: Full-Stack Application
In a 70-hour team project, you’ll build a complete MERN stack application with authentication, authorization, and secure user flows. Following Agile practices, you’ll collaborate in a professional setting to ship a fully functional, portfolio-ready app.
AI-Enhanced Workflow
Adopt a professional AI-assisted development methodology: generate and validate code, document AI usage, and apply responsible AI practices around bias and privacy. Teams can also assign AI-focused roles, such as Integration Specialist or AI QA, to simulate real-world software environments.
By the end, you’ll be equipped to design, develop, and deploy secure, scalable full-stack applications while demonstrating mastery of modern AI-assisted development.
What to expect from Ironhack’s Web Development bootcamp:
An understanding of the most in-demand tech skills…
Learn HTML, CMS, and JavaScript, gain expertise in important frameworks, learn about version control with Git and GitHub, increase your knowledge of servers and hosting, and understand working with databases and the agile methodology.
…with a balanced methodology…
At Ironhack, theory and practice come together to help you enter the workforce as successfully as possible, incorporating hard skills at a manageable pace.
…while developing soft-skills…
Improve your problem solving and analysis skills, attention to detail, creativity and continuous learning journey.
…both in a team and cross-functionally.
Learn with real-world situations while collaborating with other Ironhackers and bootcamps.
Why Choose Ironhack?
Ironhack’s web development bootcamps are built to give you real-world experience, fast. From hands-on projects to up-to-date frameworks and tools, the program is designed to help you enter the workforce with the skills today’s companies are looking for.
Along the way, you’ll also have access to career support, financing options, and a growing alumni network that spans tech teams around the world.
Curious about where web development could take you? Ironhack can help you get started.
About the Author:
Juliette Carreiro is a skilled content creator with over five years of experience in SEO, content ideation, and digital marketing strategy. She has spent more than two years at Ironhack, where she developed in-depth articles on topics ranging from career growth in tech to the future impact of AI. With expertise across tech, hospitality, and education industries, Juliette has helped brands like Ironhack engage their audiences with impactful storytelling and data-driven insights.
