How to Become a PHP Developer: Career Guide, Courses, After 12th, Jobs, Scope, Salary

What Does a PHP Developer Do?

PHP Developers are a part of the Web Development team. They build web applications and websites for clients. Web applications can be anything ranging from blogs, forums, websites for e-commerce companies, CMS and database applications. Anything that is up on the internet is programmed by a PHP Developer.

The PHP Developer starts their work by understanding what a client wants from their web application. They can plan and create the coding and scripting to create the application. Testing, monitoring and troubleshooting are also done by the PHP Developer. They start their career as a team member. With more experience, they are given senior positions and managerial roles.

PHP Developers must have a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. Candidates must have extensive knowledge of web development and PHP programming language knowledge for PHP Developer jobs.

Steps to Follow to Become a PHP Developer

The step by step guide is as follows.

1. Research: Before enrolling in a programme, some research needs to be done. The programming field is highly competitive and has a number of individuals adding to the population every year. One must stay on top of their game by learning more languages and advancing their skills. To add to this, admission to colleges providing full-time programmes is also tough and done through entrance tests. Do research for all aspects of PHP Development to start.
2. Entrance test registration and preparation: Colleges that provide Engineering degrees in UG and PG levels in Computer Science admit students only through entrance tests and, diploma courses in Computer Science and Bachelor of Science programmes also conduct merit-based admissions. After the research is done in step one, start preparing for a national, state or university level entrance test. Take note of the paper pattern, cutoffs, etc. Download mock papers for regular practice. Aim to score high in order to meet the cut-offs in top colleges in India.
3. Taking the entrance test: Take the entrance test on the given date. Be sure to keep up to date with any notification regarding the particular examination. Due to the pandemic, dates are being constantly changed. Also, several entrance tests are being cancelled entirely or held in the online mode. Admit cards for the examination are released a week before the exam day. Download the admit card and keep a copy to take on the examination day.
4. Course curriculum, certification and job: With admission, students must attend all classes that are part of the regular curriculum. Complete all course credits including the mandatory internship. To work as a PHP Developer, a good choice would be to enrol in an online or offline certification course in PHP. Students can also take help from the college placement drive and secure a job with the help of a full-time bachelor’s degree and a PHP certification.

Types of PHP Developers

PHP Developers can take on various job roles within their whole careers. Job titles change based on the specialisation and the experience. Some popular specialisations include Web Development and Database Management among others. A description of job titles for PHP Developers is as below.

Software Engineer

Software Engineers are professionals who plan, build, test and maintain software. They work with clients and help build customised software for them based on their requirements. The job responsibilities of a Software Engineer involves working with multiple programming languages and this also includes PHP language. In India, the salary package for a Software Engineer is INR 5.6 LPA. This salary package may change with the work experience of the candidate.

Back End Developer

The Back End Developer is also known as a Back End PHP Developer and the majority of their work is done in the backend. They are experts in the PHP language who spend their knowledge on the machinery on the server-side. They are required to work together with the Front End Developers. In India, the average salary package of aBack End Developer is INR 4.5 LPA. 

Team Lead IT

A PHP Developer working in the industry after some duration is promoted to a Team Lead position. The Team Leader is a senior most professional who is managing a team of PHP Developers in the junior position. Besides managing, they also perform coding, design systems, analyse work done etc. They are the bridge between higher management and PHP Developers. The average salary package of a Team Leader IT is INR 11.7 LPA. 

Technical Architect

A Technical Architect is also a senior-most position in the IT department of an organization. They take care of all the IT requirements of the whole company. They are independent workers who take note of business needs and transform them. Technical Architects with PHP skills receive a salary package of INR 15.9 LPA. 

How to Become a PHP Developer in India

In India, to become a PHP Developer, students have the option of diploma, B.Tech and M.Tech courses in Computer Science. Students are taught the basics of various programming languages. One can get admission to this programme by taking an entrance test and a counselling session. Students must do proper research and understand the career graph, salaries, job titles etc. 

School Level Preparation

• At the school level, students are required to take up Science as a stream.
• Additionally, in terms of subjects, students must select Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics along with Computer Science.
• Students should also look into improving their communication skills. Strong written and spoken skills are an added benefit in all jobs and industries.
• Looking into extracurricular activities will add to the resume. These extracurriculars are especially helpful when applying for admission to Master’s Degree or International Schools.

How to Become a PHP Developer after 12th?

After completing class 10+2, students must take admission in Engineering or Science programmes, to work as a PHP Developer. Admissions to all programmes at UG and PG levels are purely based on entrance tests and counselling sessions. One can work as a PHP Developer after completing a Bachelor's degree. 

UG Preparation

• Universities have a Bachelor of Science or a B.Tech in Computer Science for students who wish to have a career as PHP Developer. These courses cover the basics of various programming languages.
• Admissions to the B.Sc programme is done based on both merit and entrance exams while the B.Tech admission is purely based on the national entrance examination followed by counselling rounds. 
• Preparation for the entrance exams must be thorough and a high national rank is required in order to meet the college cut-offs.
• Take up internships during the summer months to learn more about the industry and make proper decisions for placements later.

PG Preparation

• For PG courses, students can choose a specialisation, typically a programming language in the second year.
• Admissions for the program are only through entrance examinations. Some popularly accepted entrance tests are GATE, PGCET, TANCET, UPSEE etc.
• For entrance tests, look up the paper pattern, syllabus and past papers. Revise the school level books and also take regular practice papers.
• After securing a rank in the entrance examination, students go through a counselling round in the colleges. At this round, one must submit necessary documents and pay the admission fee to secure the seat.

Courses to Become PHP Developer

To work as a PHP Developer, colleges offer Computer Science degrees at the bachelors and masters levels. These courses offer a basic introduction of various programming languages. Graduates usually take this up with a certificate or diploma course in PHP programming language. 

B.Sc. Computer Science

B,Sc in Computer Science is a three-year UG course. Universities offer admission to the course based on either merit or entrance exam. Most institutes conduct their own entrance tests as well. The course is similar to B.Tech in Computer Science with some differences in syllabus and approach to curriculum. 

The average course fee range for this course is between INR 20,000 to INR 60,000 annually. Popular colleges one can apply to are Delhi University, Christ University, Fergusson College etc.

B.Sc. Computer Science: Admission Process

• Admissions are done on both merit basis and through university level entrance tests.
• For merit-based admissions, look up the cut-off lists released by the universities and take admission accordingly.
• For entrance test based admissions, the test subjects include Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and English.
• There is around 60% weight given to the entrance examination rank and 40% weight to the class 12th score.
• Admissions are to be done from the university websites.
• Register, fill out the application form with necessary details, pay the application fee and submit.
• If shortlisted, appear for the counselling session on-campus and take admission.

B.Sc. Computer Science: Eligibility criteria for the Exam

• For BHU UET, the upper age limit of the candidate should be 22 years.
• For the OBC category the upper age limit relaxation is for 3 years and for SC, ST and PwD categories it is 5 years.
• The student must have finished their class 12th examinations with a 50% aggregate score
• The student should have completed their class 12th from Science stream and Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics/Biology as subjects.

B.Tech Computer Science

B.Tech in Computer Science is a four-years UG course. Students under the course are taught the basics of Computer Science and of programming languages. Graduates can supplement their learning with a diploma or certificate course in PHP to work as a PHP Developer. The admission is based on a national level entrance test such as JEE Mains and JEE Advance. The average course fee of institutes offering B.Tech Computer Science is between INR 80,000 to INR 1,50,000 lacs annually. Some top colleges offering this course are IIT Madras, IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay etc.

B.Tech Computer Science: Admission Process

• Similar to B.Sc, B.Tech admissions are also done on both merit basis and entrance test basis.
• For merit-based admissions, cut-off lists are released for students from the Science stream with Physics, Chemistry and Biology/Mathematics subjects. Register online for admission, fill out the application form, pay the fee and submit the form.
• For entrance test based admissions, one must have a national or state level Engineering examination score. Accepted tests are JEE Main, JEE Advanced, IPU CET, KCET etc.
• With the entrance test score in hand, apply for admission on the university website. Fill out the form, upload documents, pay the application fee and submit it.
• Universities will invite shortlisted students for counselling rounds at the university. Once that is done, the admission fee is to be paid.

B.Tech Computer Science: Eligibility criteria for the Exam

• Applicants must have passed Class 10+2 with a minimum aggregate marks from any recognized board of education.
• One should have the following subjects, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and any one subject from Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology or a Technical Vocational Subject.

M.Tech. Computer Science

M.Tech in Computer Science is a 2-years duration full-time postgraduate course. Students enrolled in the course builds upon the curriculum learned at the bachelors level to more advanced materials. One can also choose to specialise in a specific subject. Admission to the course is based on entrance tests like GATE or UPSEE followed by counselling rounds. 

The average course fee for M.Tech in Computer Science is INR 52,000 to INR 2,30,000 lacs annually.

M.Tech. Computer Science: Admission Process

• Colleges that provide M.Tech courses, admit students based on both merit and entrance exams. 
• For merit-based admissions, one must have Data Structures, Physics and Mathematics as subjects. When cut-off lists are released, register and apply for admission on university websites. Fill out the form, pay the application fee and submit the application.
• For entrance test based admissions, attempt and secure a rank in a national or state level test like GATE, BITSAT, TANCET etc.
• With the test results released, apply for admissions to the university of choice. Applications are to be submitted online after creating a student profile, filling out the application form and paying the application fee.
• Chosen students will have to attend the counselling round on-campus. Post the counselling round, admission can be taken.

M.Tech. Computer Science: Eligibility criteria for the Exam

• For the GATE examination, applicants must have a bachelor's degree or a masters degree in Engineering or a relevant Science degree.
• Students in their final year can also apply to take the examination.
• There is no minimum aggregate score requirement to take GATE.
• There is no upper age limit to take GATE and limits on attempts. Therefore students who have taken GATE in the past can also apply.

Diploma in Computer Science

Diploma in Computer Science is a 3-years duration regular diploma course. Admissions are on merit for students who have completed class 10th. The course introduces students to working in the field of Computer Science. Graduates can gain employment in entry-level jobs in the field. Most diploma holders follow up with a full-time undergraduate degree in the same field.

Diploma in Computer Science: Admission Process

• Diploma courses admission is based on the merit of Class 10 score. 
• To apply for the course, visit the website of the chosen university. Register using an active email id and phone number.
• Fill out the application form and submit all documents in said format and size.
• Pay the application fee and download the receipt. Pay using credit cards, debit cards, UPI and internet banking.
• Submit the application form and take admission.

Diploma in Computer Science: Eligibility criteria for the Exam

• Students who have finished their class 10th from a recognized educational board. There is no need to take any entrance tests. Instead, universities will release cut-off lists that should be looked into.
• The minimum aggregate score to have is 55%.
• One can apply for the course even when waiting for results.

PHP Developer Course Admission: Important Tips

• Students with proper research, must start the preparation for the course. 
• Select colleges with good NIRF rankings. Rankings are available for Engineering colleges that offer Computer Science courses.
• Practice for entrance tests for admission to bachelors and masters courses. Competition is tough and many students take the Engineering entrance tests. Start preparing in advance and prepare a timetable for proper preparation.
• A lot of online resources are available to aid in entrance test preparation. From videos to online classes from reputed teachers. Take note of all such sources and take their help.
• Take internships when studying the course. This will help students understand the industry better. Also, students will be able to decide which job profiles they want to work in.

B.Sc. Computer Science: How to Apply for the Exam

• Admissions are done on both merit basis and through university level entrance tests.
• For BHU UET, visit the official website and Click on ‘Apply for Admission’
• From the redirected page, click on ‘Register Yourself’
• Fill out all details like email id, date of birth, address, phone number. Notifications will be sent to the email id and email id.
• Submit an identity form like an Aadhar card.
• Choose courses for which one wishes to take the examination for. In this case, choose B.Sc. Computer Science. Click ‘Check Eligibility’.
• Fill out the application form. Choose up to five examination centres.
• Upload documents. Review the application.
• Pay the application fee. Payment can be done through debit and credit cards. The fee ranges from INR 200 to INR 600 depending on the student category and number of courses. Submit the application form.

B.Sc. Computer Science: How to Prepare for the Exam

• Before preparation is to be started, download the latest paper pattern and syllabus.
• Prepare a schedule to ensure all sections of the paper are covered.
• The General Knowledge section can be covered from daily newspapers and magazines. Reading should be done daily in small quantities.
• English section includes grammar questions and reading comprehension. Regular practice will help in this section.
• With every practice paper, take note of mistakes and correct them for the next practice round.

B.Tech Computer Science: How to Apply for the Exam

• For JEE Main application, visit the official website of NTA.
• Click on ‘online JEE Main Application Form’
• From the redirected page, fill out contact details, choose paper 1 or 2, communication details etc.
• Create a security question to create a profile. Review all details entered.
• Upload documents in said format and size.
• Pay the JEE Main application fee. Payment is accepted through credit card, debit card, UPI, internet banking etc.
• Download the confirmation page and submit the application.

B.Tech Computer Science: How to Prepare for the Exam

• Download the examination pattern. Take note of marking and types of questions asked.
• Keep track of any changes in the chosen examination.
• Take help of school level Science and Mathematics books to clear up the basics.
• Practice regularly using past papers and mock papers available online. Attempt papers in a timed manner.
• Note down mistakes and practice those topics again.

M.Tech. Computer Science: How to Apply for the Exam

• For M.Tech admissions, visit the official website of the GATE exam. 
• Click on ‘New User’ to start registration. Enter details and proceed as directed.
• Once the applicant gets access to GOAPS, the application portal, log in with the created credentials.
• Click on ‘Start GATE Application Process’. Fill out the application form with details personal details, communication details, past educational qualifications, work.
• Scan and upload documents. Take note of the document size and format.
• Review the completed application form. Proceed to payment.
• Pay the application fee using UPI, debit or credit card and internet banking. For GATE, the application fee ranges from INR 750 to 2,000.
• Download the application form and payment receipt and submit the applications.

M.Tech. Computer Science: How to Prepare for the Exam

• Students should understand the examination sections and marking for each type of question.
• Refer to subject books of bachelor’s level. It would be a good idea to also refer to the school book to clear up the basics.
• Regularly read newspapers and keep track of the latest news in the chosen study area.
• Take mock papers and practise papers to make sure study material is being absorbed.

Diploma in Computer Science: How to Apply for the Exam

Diploma courses in Computer Science admissions are purely based on merit. There are no entrance test scores required to be submitted for admissions.

How to Become a PHP Developer Abroad

PHP Developers are in much demand abroad, especially in IT sectors. Individuals with the right qualifications and work experience will have no problem finding a job. Students from international countries must be fluent in either English or French for Canadian universities. To prove fluency, submit the TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or the Cambridge English Test. Also, universities require submitting GMAT or GRE test scores. 

Some universities also require their candidates to possess prior work experience. If the work experience is in the relevant field, it is preferable. Another mandatory requirement for international universities is to submit a statement of purpose. Once all admission requirements and documents are submitted, the university will evaluate if the candidate is a good choice for the Institute. 

The academic qualification and resume along with DS-160 and Form I-20 for USA universities must be submitted when applying for a student visa. 

UK

• All United Kingdom universities provide short term and long term degree programmes and diplomas.
• One can expect to pay between INR 2,53,9751 to INR 38,10,643 for one semester or annually.
• Admissions from international students require submission of English proficiency test scores, letters of recommendation from past teachers or employers and a statement of purpose.
• Graduates from a Computer Science programme can work as PHP Developer. The average salary in the country is £47,500 annually.7

Top Colleges

USA

• Most PHP Developers in the US work after completing a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. Higher education options include an M.Sc or a Masters degree in Computer Science.
• Admissions require an English proficiency test score, letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose. Some universities require past work experience to enrol.
• Universities providing full-time and part-time courses in Computer programming charges INR 42,909 per credit to INR 37,00,000 per one year.
• The national average for a PHP Developer in the United States is USD 78,072 annually.

Top Colleges

Canada

• Canadian universities offer certification, diplomas and full-time degree programmes in Computer Science.
• To specialise in PHP, there are short term courses available that one can enrol in.
• The average course fee for all courses is between INR 1,07,644 for 3 credits to INR 27,98,627 for the entire programme.
• Graduates can start working with an average salary of CAD 80,000 annually as a PHP Developer.41
• Canada has a large Indian population. New students will have to problem acclimating to the country.

Top Colleges

Australia

• Australian universities and colleges offer diploma courses in PHP programming. Full-time degrees in Computer Science are also available. Popular bachelor's degrees are BA, B.Sc., BBA and B.Cs.
• The average course fee for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses is INR 9,20,461 to INR 25,00,000 for one academic year.
• Admissions requires submission on entrance tests like IELTS, TOEFL and similar English proficiency tests.
• Some popular job profiles one can earn are PHP Developer, PHP Web Developer, Software Engineer etc.

Top Colleges

Benefits of Career as a PHP Developer

Learning to code might be tough but the job has numerous benefits. The need to develop quality applications for such devices is on the rise and will keep increasing. This is where PHP Developers come into the picture. PHP programming language can be learned by anyone through an online course. Below are some benefits PHP Developers enjoy that are typical only to their field.

• Creative: Coding and programming is a highly creative field. PHP Developers have the skills to build up applications from scratch and connect them to other services. All problem solving is highly creative, in terms of technical creativity. PHP Developers are individuals who mix up their technical know-how and creative juice to do their jobs to the best of their abilities.
• Solve problems: PHP Developers, much like other programmers, are thinkers. Each program and code requires logic to build up, test and troubleshoot. While simpler codes do not take much of an effort to write up and executive, complex problems require a lot of thinking. One has to be methodical in approaching the problem and strategise a way on how to best tackle it. 
• Work remotely: PHP Developers are able to perform their entire job responsibilities remotely. Due to the pandemic, programmers have been working remotely across the world. A majority of the PHP Developers work is done independently with the occasional help from seniors and other teammates. 
• International opportunities: India has several national and international companies that hire PHP Developers annually. Professional PHP Developers are always recruited by top companies across the globe for their skills. To be able to work internationally on different projects is a valuable advantage for programmers. 
• Flexible career: PHP Developer jobs have a lot of flexibility in their jobs. Some are able to work full time remotely from any corner of the world. While others have managed to create their own personal brands and work for themselves in a freelance capacity. Learning a new programming language will also help PHP Developers to transition over to a new line of work and more pay.
• Increasing pay scale: PHP Developers are some of the well-paid jobs within an organization. The average salary package for PHP Developers in terms of seniority and specialisation ranges between INR 1,56,000 to INR 20,00,000 LPA. 

Skills Required for a PHP Developer

For any PHP Developer, one must have certain skills other than basic PHP language knowledge. The table below lists the top such skills.

Salary of a PHP Developer in India

A PHP Developer enjoys an average salary range between INR 1,56,000 to INR 20,00,000 LPA. This is a wide range and has various factors affecting it. Listed below are the average salaries for PHP Developers based on specialisation, experience and gender.

Specialisation Wise

Gender Wise Salary

Experience Wise

After becoming a PHP Developer

It is essential for a student as a PHP Developer to keep progressing, even after starting working in a required job role. One can start working immediately with a Diploma degree. There are further study options like a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree. 

Higher Education

After becoming a PHP Developer, students also have higher education as an option. Students can start working in the field, with a diploma and a bachelor’s degree. For diploma holders, they can choose a B.Tech course in the relevant stream. After completing graduation, they can also apply for Master’s. The average course fee for masters courses is INR 50,000 to INR 2,50,000 lac annually. On the other hand, bachelors courses charge between INR 20,000 to INR 1,50,000 LPA. 

Start Job

Candidates can start working as a PHP Developer immediately with a diploma degree. The most popular job profile for PHP programming language is a PHP Developer. However, there are also PHP Web Developer, Software Engineer, Team Lead IT, Technical Architect, Back End Developer job positions.The average salary package for PHP developers is between INR 2,00,000 to INR 20,00,000 LPA.