What Does a Drupal Developer Do?
A Drupal developer designs, builds, and maintains websites and applications using the Drupal content management system (CMS). They use a combination of front-end and back-end development skills to create scalable, secure, and accessible digital experiences tailored to organizational needs.
Whether implementing core functionality, customizing modules, creating themes, or integrating third-party services, Drupal developers ensure that digital platforms perform reliably and meet user and business goals. They often work with content strategists, designers, and DevOps teams to support agile development environments and maintain long-term platform stability.
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Drupal Developer Core Responsibilities
- Develop, customize, and maintain Drupal websites and applications
- Build custom modules, configure existing ones, and troubleshoot compatibility issues
- Design responsive front-end themes using Twig, HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript
- Integrate third-party APIs and external services (e.g., CRMs, analytics)
- Collaborate with designers, product managers, and content editors to implement features
- Maintain Git repositories, apply updates, and manage deployments
- Optimize site performance, accessibility (WCAG), and security
- Use tools like Composer, Drush, and debugging consoles to streamline workflows
- Support migration between Drupal versions or from other CMS platforms
Required Skills and Qualifications
Hard skills
- Proficiency in Drupal (version 8/9/10), including site building, theming, and module development
- Strong PHP programming skills and familiarity with Symfony framework
- Front-end experience with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Twig templating
- Experience using Git, Composer, Drush, and package managers
- Familiarity with RESTful services, JSON, and API integrations
- Understanding of website performance optimization and security best practices
Soft skills
- Strong analytical and troubleshooting abilities
- Effective collaboration with cross-functional teams
- Attention to detail and documentation
- Ability to manage project timelines and prioritize tasks
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, web development, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Certifications
None required, but Acquia Certified Developer or Drupal Association certification is beneficial, especially for government or enterprise clients.
Preferred Qualifications
- 3+ years of experience with Drupal development in a production environment
- Experience with Acquia, Pantheon, or similar cloud hosting platforms
- Knowledge of accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1) and responsive design
- Familiarity with Agile or DevOps environments
- Prior work on migration or multisite Drupal configurations
National Average Salary
Drupal developer salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for a Drupal Developer is:
$106,733
Sample Job Description Templates for Drupal Developers
Junior Drupal Developer
Position Overview
The junior Drupal developer supports the design, development, and maintenance of websites built on the Drupal CMS. Working under the guidance of senior developers, this role focuses on site building, basic theming, and resolving support tickets while learning best practices in Drupal development.
Responsibilities
- Assist with site building and content structure configuration in Drupal
- Implement basic themes using HTML, CSS, and Twig
- Fix bugs and maintain existing functionality
- Support module configuration and testing
- Follow coding and documentation standards as directed by senior developers
Requirements
Hard skills
- Basic understanding of Drupal (preferably version 9 or 10)
- Experience with HTML, CSS, and beginner-level PHP
- Familiarity with Git version control and command-line tools
- Interest in learning Composer, Drush, and Twig templating
Soft skills
- Willingness to learn and take direction
- Detail-oriented and organized
- Effective communicator within a development team
Education
- Associate degree or equivalent experience in web development, computer science, or related field
Preferred Qualifications
- 6 months to 1 year of Drupal or CMS experience (professional or academic)
- Exposure to Drupal contrib modules and admin interfaces
Senior Drupal Developer
Position Overview
The senior Drupal developer leads complex web development projects, creating custom modules, APIs, and scalable site architectures. This role mentors junior team members, ensures compliance with coding standards, and collaborates with cross-functional teams to deliver enterprise-grade Drupal solutions.
Responsibilities
- Architect and build custom Drupal modules and integrations
- Optimize site performance and security
- Lead technical decision-making and design reviews
- Mentor junior developers and support code quality standards
- Collaborate with DevOps on CI/CD and deployment workflows
- Ensure compliance with WCAG, GDPR, and enterprise accessibility/security standards
Requirements
Hard skills
- Advanced proficiency with Drupal 9/10 and custom module development
- Strong PHP and Symfony framework experience
- Familiarity with RESTful API development and third-party integrations
- Skilled with Git, Composer, Drush, and debugging tools
Soft skills
- Technical leadership and mentorship
- Strong problem-solving and architectural planning
- Clear, proactive communication across teams
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, or related field
Certifications
- Acquia Certified Drupal Developer (recommended)
Preferred Qualifications
- 5+ years of Drupal development experience
- Experience with enterprise or multisite Drupal environments
Drupal Front-End Developer
Position Overview
The Drupal front-end developer focuses on user interface and theme development using Drupal’s theming layer. This role translates design files into responsive, accessible, and brand-compliant front-end experiences using Twig, CSS frameworks, and JavaScript.
Responsibilities
- Create and maintain custom Drupal themes
- Translate wireframes and designs into HTML/CSS/Twig
- Implement responsive and mobile-first layouts
- Ensure front-end accessibility (WCAG) and cross-browser compatibility
- Collaborate with UX/UI designers and back-end developers
Requirements
Hard skills
- Proficiency in HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, and Twig
- Experience building or customizing Drupal themes
- Familiarity with layout builder, Paragraphs, or component-based theming
- Understanding of Drupal’s render pipeline and caching mechanisms
Soft skills
- Strong design sensitivity and attention to detail
- Collaborative mindset with UX and design teams
- Commitment to accessibility and responsive standards
Education
- Degree or certificate in front-end development, design, or a related field
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with SCSS, Gulp/Webpack, or design systems
- Familiarity with Figma or Sketch for design handoff
Drupal Back-End Developer
Position Overview
The Drupal back-end developer builds and maintains the business logic of Drupal websites, developing custom modules, integrating third-party APIs, and managing data structures. This role is central to performance, security, and functionality.
Responsibilities
- Build custom modules and extend contrib modules
- Develop APIs and integrate external services
- Manage user roles, permissions, and content architecture
- Ensure performance optimization and server-side security
- Collaborate with DevOps and front-end developers to ensure feature delivery
Requirements
Hard skills
- Proficiency in PHP, Symfony, and Drupal API development
- Experience with Composer, Drush, and Git workflows
- RESTful API creation and integration
- Understanding of Drupal cache systems and cron tasks
Soft skills
- Analytical thinking and debugging strength
- Strong documentation and code structuring practices
- Ability to work independently on complex tasks
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science or similar
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with database administration (MySQL/PostgreSQL)
- Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and headless Drupal setups
Full-Stack Drupal Developer
Position Overview
The full-stack Drupal developer manages both the front-end and back-end of Drupal-based applications. This role is ideal for professionals who can design themes, develop modules, manage performance, and oversee end-to-end technical implementation.
Responsibilities
- Design and build complete Drupal websites from planning to deployment
- Develop custom themes and modules
- Manage API integrations, third-party services, and data workflows
- Optimize performance, SEO, and accessibility compliance
- Maintain Git workflows and deployment automation
Requirements
Hard skills
- Proficiency in Drupal theming and module development
- Strong PHP, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS skills
- Experience with Symfony, Twig, Composer, and Drush
- Knowledge of accessibility (WCAG), SEO, and performance tools
Soft skills
- Full-project lifecycle ownership
- Strong cross-team collaboration and time management
- Ability to balance technical complexity with business goals
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, or related discipline
Preferred Qualifications
- 4+ years of Drupal full-stack development experience
- Experience working in Agile/Scrum environments
- Acquia platform or Pantheon workflow experience