What Is a Drupal Developer?
A Drupal developer builds websites and apps using Drupal, which is a tool for making websites that many companies use because it’s flexible and powerful. They work on projects for businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies to help them have a cool online spot that everyone can use easily.
Their goal is to make sure a website does what it needs to do for a business and look good while doing it. Businesses can show off their brand and connect better with people online, which helps make customers happier and more likely to stick around.
Duties and responsibilities
- Building stuff: They set up Drupal, add new features to websites, and make sure everything works right.
- Keeping things running smoothly: They handle the tech side, like making sure the website runs fast and stays safe from hackers.
- Customizing: They make special add-ons and design themes to make sure the website fits exactly what’s needed.
- Helping others: They teach team members how to use the website tools and fix any tech problems.
Work environment
Many Drupal developers work in offices with other tech folks like designers and marketers. But a lot of them can work from home or anywhere really, as long as they have internet and their work gear.
Typical work hours
Usually, it’s a 40-hour week, Monday through Friday. They might work late or on weekends if there’s a big deadline or a sudden problem with the website. Those who work from home can often choose when they work, as long as they get their jobs done and can hop on calls or meetings when needed.
How to Become a Drupal Developer
Want to build cool websites? Here’s how you can become a Drupal developer:
Step 1: Earn a bachelor’s degree
Start with a degree in something like computer science, information systems, or software engineering. These subjects will teach you the basics of coding, managing databases, and making websites.
Step 2: Learn Drupal and other tech tools
While studying, dive into Drupal. Get to know how it works and play around with its features. Also, learn coding languages like PHP, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS, which are important for working with Drupal.
Step 3: Understand OOP
Drupal uses a type of coding called object-oriented programming (OOP). It’s important to understand concepts like classes, objects, and inheritance because they will make your coding life easier.
Step 4: Practice by building
The best way to get good is by doing. Start small with easy websites and work your way up to more complex stuff. Internships or projects during school are great ways to get real-world experience.
Step 5: Join the Drupal community
Get involved in the Drupal community. You can learn a lot, find new tools, and even help improve Drupal by creating new features or fixing problems.
Step 6: Get certified (optional)
You don’t need a certificate, but it can help you stand out. Consider getting a Drupal certification from a place like Acquia.
Step 7: Network
Meet other developers at events, online, and through social media platforms like LinkedIn. Networking can lead to job opportunities and new ideas.
Step 8: Start applying for jobs
Once you’ve got the skills and maybe some experience, start looking for jobs as a Drupal developer. Make sure your resume talks about your Drupal projects and prepare for interviews by practicing answers to tech questions.
How Much Do Drupal Developers Make?
There are many variables that go into determining how much a Drupal developer makes, from company size to experience to education, just to name a few.
Highest paying industries
- Software Publishers
- Data Processing and Hosting
- Management of Companies and Enterprises
- Computer Systems Design
- Insurance Carriers
Highest paying states
- California
- Washington
- New Jersey
- Virginia
- Massachusetts
The average national salary for a Drupal Developer is:
$106,733
Types of Drupal Developers
If you’re thinking about becoming a Drupal developer, you can choose from several cool jobs depending on what part of a website you want to work on:
Front-end Drupal developer
These developers make websites look good. They focus on the design and how easy it is for people to use the site. To do this, they need to be great at using design tools and coding with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Back-end Drupal developer
Back-end developers make sure the website works well on the server side, handling all the behind-the-scenes stuff like database management. They use PHP (the main coding language for Drupal), SQL, and other tools to keep the website running smoothly and fast.
Full-stack Drupal developer
A full-stack developer knows how to do both the front-end and back-end stuff. They handle everything from how the site looks to how it operates, making them super versatile and able to run a whole project on their own.
Drupal module developer
These developers create special add-ons called modules that give Drupal extra abilities. They know a lot about how Drupal works and use PHP to build these custom modules based on what a project needs.
Drupal themer
Theme developers focus on the site’s look and feel by designing custom themes. They use their skills in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Drupal’s design settings to create unique and appealing website designs.
Top Skills for Drupal Developers
Becoming a top-notch Drupal developer means you need a mix of tech expertise and some key soft skills:
Knowledge of Drupal
First off, you need to be a whiz at Drupal, understanding all its features and how to tweak them to do what you need. It’s also good to know about other systems like WordPress because it helps you get the bigger picture of how websites work.
Coding skills
Since Drupal runs on PHP, you’ll need to be good at that. But don’t forget HTML (which sets up the basic structure of websites), CSS (which makes them look good), and JavaScript (which makes things on the page move and react). These are your bread and butter for making any website.
Strong problem-solving
When things go wrong, you need to be the one who can figure out what’s up and fix it—fast. This could be anything from squashing bugs, sorting out errors, or adding custom features a client wants.
Effective communication
You’ve got to be able to explain what you’re doing and why, not just to other tech people but to clients who might not understand the first thing about coding. Being clear and patient when you talk about your work helps keep everyone happy and informed.
Project management
Even though your main job is coding, sometimes you’ll need to take charge of the project. This means keeping an eye on deadlines, budgets, and who’s doing what. Knowing a bit about project management can make this a lot easier.
Drupal Developer Career Path
If you’re diving into a career as a Drupal developer, there’s a lot of room to grow and evolve in your job. Here’s what the journey might look like:
Starting out
First, you’ll likely start working on various Drupal projects, gaining skills and experience as you build and maintain websites.
Moving up
As you get better and gather more experience, you might step into a senior developer role. Here, you’d manage smaller teams, handle bigger projects, and deal with more complex systems, especially at large companies.
Leadership roles
If you’re into leading and managing rather than just coding, you could become a Drupal project manager or a technical team lead. These roles focus more on planning and guiding projects, managing teams, and making sure everything runs on time and within budget.
Top-level positions
With lots of experience and a deep understanding of Drupal, you could aim for high-level jobs like software architect or Drupal consultant. These positions involve designing the structure for systems and offering expert advice to organizations about how to use Drupal effectively.
Branching out
If you want to explore beyond Drupal, you could shift to working with other content management systems like WordPress or Joomla, or even move into different tech fields like user experience design or data analysis.
Starting your own business
And if you’ve got the entrepreneurial bug, you might decide to start your own Drupal development company, using your skills to help businesses around the world and maybe making a good profit while you’re at it.
Similar Job Titles
Position Trends and Outlook for Drupal Developers
Drupal developers are in an exciting spot right now because they get to work with some of the latest tech trends:
- AI and machine learning: More and more, AI and machine learning are being used with Drupal to make websites smarter and easier to use. This makes Drupal a popular choice for businesses that want to step up their digital game.
- Headless Drupal: A big trend is headless Drupal, where Drupal handles all the data and back-end stuff, but the front end, what users see, can be built with different technologies. This approach is great for making websites that load fast and can send personalized content to users across various devices.
- Keeping up-to-date: Since the launch of Drupal 9 in 2020, there’s been a big push to update older sites to newer versions like 8 or 9. These newer versions are safer and more powerful because they get regular updates with new features.
Employment projections
Looking ahead, things are looking bright for Drupal developers. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says jobs for web developers, which include Drupal developers, are expected to grow by 23% through 2031. That’s a lot faster than many other jobs, which means becoming one could be a smart move.
Drupal Developer Career Tips
Understand the Drupal ecosystem
Get to know Drupal inside and out. Learn how Drupal organizes content and how to efficiently build complex sites. Get familiar with popular modules and themes—they’ll help you work faster and smarter.
Keep up with updates and trends
Drupal changes a lot, with new updates for better functionality and security. Keep track of these changes by following blogs, forums, and social media that talk about Drupal.
Know what your clients need
It’s not just about coding. Understand what your client really needs, ask smart questions, and be able to explain your technical work to people who aren’t tech-savvy.
Build your network
Get involved in the Drupal community. Go to events like DrupalCon, meetups, and seminars. This is a great way to find new opportunities, learn from others, and make connections that can help your career.
Never stop learning and earn certifications
Drupal keeps evolving, so your skills should too. Keep learning new things and consider getting Drupal certifications to show your expertise and improve your job prospects. Don’t forget to also keep up your skills in PHP, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and databases.
- Acquia Certified Developer – Drupal 8 or 9
- Acquia Certified Back End Specialist – Drupal 8 or 9
- Acquia Certified Front End Specialist – Drupal 8 or 9
FAQs
What is Drupal and why is it important for a Drupal developer to be proficient in it?
Drupal is a powerful, open-source CMS used for creating websites and applications. Built using PHP, it provides a flexible and versatile platform for highly customizable, feature-rich development. For a Drupal developer, proficiency in Drupal means being able to easily design and maintain complex websites, ensuring they are secure, scalable, and user-friendly.
What programming languages should a Drupal developer know?
Primarily, PHP as Drupal is built on this server-side scripting language. They should also have knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for front-end development. Familiarity with SQL for managing databases is beneficial, too. Lastly, being comfortable with other technologies, such as XML and jQuery, is an added advantage.
Are there specific software or tools that a Drupal developer should be familiar with?
Yes, they should ideally be familiar with Drupal-specific development tools such as Drush and Drupal Console. Knowledge of version control systems like Git and deployment tools like Docker or Jenkins can be beneficial. Additionally, understanding how to use integrated development environments (IDEs) like PHPStorm is advantageous for effective Drupal development.
What does a typical day look like for a Drupal developer?
Their day is often divided between coding, problem-solving, meeting with team members, and learning about new technologies. They spend significant time creating modules, integrations, or configurations in Drupal, doing code reviews, and debugging issues. Communication with project managers, designers, and other developers is also frequent to ensure projects are progressing as envisioned. Continual learning is a part of the job due to the constantly evolving nature of web technologies.
Can Drupal developers work remotely, or is it a job that requires being in an office?
The job can be performed remotely, thanks to tools like version control systems, collaborative project management software, and virtual meeting platforms. However, the work environment largely depends on the employer’s policy. Some organizations may prefer their developers to be on-site for better collaboration, while others are comfortable with a fully remote or hybrid model.
What is the importance of Drupal certifications for a Drupal developer?
While not mandatory, certifications can enhance credibility by validating skills and knowledge in Drupal development. They demonstrate to potential employers a commitment to professional development and mastery of best practices. Different certifications exist for developers at different stages, from beginners to experts, and cover various Drupal aspects, from site building to back-end development.
How does a Drupal developer ensure the security of a website built with Drupal?
They can implement several measures to ensure website security. These include performing regular updates of Drupal core and contributed modules, using trusted modules, ensuring proper input sanitization to prevent injections, setting correct file permissions, and using two-factor authentication. Developers can also utilize Drupal’s extensive security reporting and contribute to finding out about potential vulnerabilities and appropriate solutions.
What is involved in migrating Joomla or WordPress to Drupal?
Migration from Joomla or WordPress involves several steps. The first step is understanding the content structure of the existing site and mapping it to a Drupal structure. Next, the data is extracted from the source CMS, which might involve creating custom scripts or using migration tools. Then, the data is transformed into a format suitable for Drupal. Finally, the data is loaded into Drupal. Additionally, the templates and design elements of the site may need to be re-created in Drupal. The process can be complex and requires careful planning to ensure data integrity and minimal downtime.
What is the role of a Drupal developer in SEO?
They can contribute to SEO efforts by ensuring the site is properly structured and coded for search engine readability, which includes implementing clean URLs, optimizing page load times, and ensuring the correct use of meta tags. Developers can make good use of Drupal’s SEO-friendly modules, like Pathauto, Metatag, and XML Sitemap, to manage various SEO aspects. Additionally, they can ensure that the site’s content is easily accessible to search engine crawlers, further optimizing visibility in search rankings.
What is the role of a Drupal developer in a team setting?
Collaboration with other developers, UI/UX designers, project managers, and sometimes with the client. Beyond coding, a developer also contributes to planning, designing, testing, and debugging. They set timelines and ensure that project goals are understood and met. Effective communication and teamwork are essential in these interactive environments.