How to Become a Web3 Developer [Beginner’s Guide]

The world of web development is constantly evolving, with the latest frontier being Web3. The Web 3.0 blockchain market will be USD 38.6 billion by 2030. This exciting new space is bringing new career opportunities, including web3 development.

If you're a developer or looking to challenge yourself and be at the forefront of innovation, becoming a Web3 developer might be a path to consider. This guide will equip you with the knowledge to decide if it's for you.

#What is Web3?

Web3 refers to an extension of cryptocurrency, as it allows the usage of blockchain across other industries, too. This decentralized technology is hailed to be the future or a new concept on the World Wide Web. This next generation of the Internet shifts the power from big tech companies to individual users.

Web3 is like the next level of the Internet, and it's all about giving power back to the users. In the old days (Web1), the Internet was basic with fixed content. Then came Web2, where things got more interactive with social media. With Web3, we're taking it a step further using blockchain technology.

#What does a Web3 developer do?

Being a Web3 developer means your main job is to create special apps and contracts on the Internet. Here are some key responsibilities and tasks associated with Web3 developers:

1. Blockchain development

As a Web3 developer, you use blockchain technologies like Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain, Polkadot, and Solana. They create and implement smart contracts with hardcoded terms in the development code. Several programming languages, including JavaScript, Python, C++, and others, are used to execute this role.

2. Decentralized application (DApp) development

As a Web3 developer, you must create decentralized apps that run on blockchain networks. These programs are frequently unrestricted by one organization and available as open-source.

3. Smart contract development

In the process of developing smart contracts, programmers use languages like Solidity for Ethereum. They ensure the security and efficiency of smart contracts.

4. Blockchain integration

They integrate blockchain technology into existing systems or applications. Additionally, they work together with other developers to take advantage of the transparency, immutability, and decentralization that come with blockchain technology. Web3 developer jobs

Web3 jobs are becoming more and more common as decentralized apps and blockchain technology gain popularity.

Some of the major Web3 developer job opportunities include:

5. Web3 development

Becoming a Web3 developer is quite in demand. The developer will have to create decentralized apps that run across a blockchain platform. It may be established with different frameworks like Truffle and Web3.js.

6. Smart contract development

In today's technological job market, smart contract developers are in high demand. In the second quarter of 2023, smart contracts experienced a growth of 302% quarter by quarter. These developers are usually responsible for writing smart contracts using programming languages.

7. DApp design

The decentralized app designers must look into designing user interfaces to improve user experience. The DApp designer will have to work closely with the Web3 developer to create visible and user-friendly apps.

As a Web3 developer, you can also apply for roles as a decentralized storage developer, blockchain consultant, and cryptography developer.

#Web3 developer job description

A Web3 developer needs to blend traditional web development skills with a deep understanding of blockchain technology to create secure and user-friendly decentralized applications. Here are a few skills you should possess to become a Web3 developer.

#Blockchain knowledge

Understanding how blockchain technology works is the very first skill a Web3 developer should have. This includes knowing about different blockchain platforms, consensus mechanisms, and how transactions are processed.

#Web development

A web developer should have strong skills in web development technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for building the frontend of DApps. You should have knowledge of backend development frameworks (e.g., Node.js) for building server-side logic and handling data processing tasks.

#Security awareness

To be a Web3 developer, you must understand common security vulnerabilities in blockchain applications, such as reentrancy attacks, front-running, and transaction ordering dependencies. Further, you should be familiar with security tools and frameworks (e.g., OpenZeppelin) for auditing and securing smart contracts.

#Scalability and performance optimization

For being a Web3 developer, you should be aware of scalability solutions like layer 2 protocols (e.g., Lightning Network, Optimistic Rollups) and sharding for improving transaction throughput and reducing latency. You should have experience with performance optimization techniques, including gas optimization in smart contracts and efficient data storage/retrieval strategies.

#Web3 developer salary

Web3 developers get paid well for being really good at their job. Their salary varies depending on many factors like location, language, level of experience, and the employer’s budget.

Source: Web3.careers

As professional job opportunities increase, Web3 developers should know they will get competitive salaries.

As per the reports in 2024, the average salary of Web3 developers is around $130k-$200k per year; The average salary for Web3 developers is the highest in the United States around $150k per year; The least paid category is junior developers. Their base salary ranges from a minimum of $25k to a maximum of $140k. Also, their average is around $70k annually.

#Web3 developer skills

If you're planning to start your journey in Web3 development or are about to start a web development business, you must possess certain skills and follow a proper roadmap. Here are some key skills you must have to become a Web3 developer:

• Blockchain - how blockchain works, and the different types of networks;
• Decentralized technology - knowing about services like Whisper (enables private messaging on Ethereum), IPFS (decentralized file storage), and Swarm (decentralized data distribution for Ethereum), and other technology necessary in web3 development;
• Coding skills - if you want to be a good Web3 developer, you need to be good at coding, which means knowing languages like NodeJS, JavaScript, and HTML;
• Web3 development tools - they're not the same as the tools used for Web 2.0, so when you're moving into this field, get to know tools like Remix, Truffle, Ganache, and Metamask.

#Are Web3 developers in demand?

Web3 apps saw a gradual rise of 124% in 2023, whereas 21,300 developers contributed to open-source projects every month. Therefore, it’s likely the demand for Web3 developers will increase in the next few years.

With a significant shift across trends and markets, the rise of decentralized systems calls for the establishment of Web3 developers. Currently, it is anticipated that the demand for Web3 developers is taking over the supply, especially across Western Europe and North America.

#Why Become a Web3 developer?

As Web3 grows, this may be the perfect time to transition from Web2.0 to Web3. Becoming a Web3 developer can offer many benefits, especially regarding job opportunities across the decentralized industry. Some of the significant benefits of becoming a Web3 developer are as follows:

#1. Interesting career opportunities

With the increase in demand for Web3 developers, many job opportunities will also arise. The global Web 3.0 market is expected to be worth USD 49.10 billion by 2030, which will also increase job opportunities in blockchain and startups.

#2. Transformative potential of blockchain

Becoming a Web3 developer offers a unique opportunity to tap into the transformative potential of blockchain technology. It allows you to take control of their digital identities, assets, and interactions without relying on centralized authorities. With blockchain, you can create decentralized ecosystems prioritizing transparency, security, and user empowerment.

#3. Global Collaboration

Becoming a Web3 developer allows you to collaborate globally with developers, researchers, and enthusiasts. It also helps to share expertise, ideas, and knowledge. Furthermore, you also get a chance to collaborate with like-minded individuals.

#Conclusion

There is an increasing demand for experienced web3 developers. However, the Web3 industry is also rapidly changing. Before making the switch, you should understand the career opportunities, risks, and skills needed to ensure you're entirely familiar with everything by mastering the fundamentals, gaining practical experience, and staying updated with the latest developments.