WordPress developers are in growing demand. The employment of web developers is expected to grow 7% from 2023 to 2033, and the average WordPress developer salary sits around $70,000 per year. The platform powers over 40% of all websites globally, which means there are more sites needing skilled WordPress professionals than ever before.
The path to becoming a WordPress developer is also more accessible than it used to be. You don’t need a four-year degree to get started, and the online resources available today cover everything from beginner PHP fundamentals to advanced REST API development.
Here’s what we cover:
- What WordPress developers actually do day to day
- The technical skills and requirements for entering the field
- A practical checklist to get started from wherever you are now
- The three main WordPress development specializations
- Whether you need a certification
- Six online resources worth bookmarking right now
- How to build a portfolio that wins your first freelance client or job
Freshy has been a professional WordPress agency since 2011. If you’re building toward WordPress development as a career and want to see what expert-level work looks like in practice, explore our WordPress resources and how we work.
What does a WordPress developer do?
WordPress developers design, build, and maintain WordPress websites and the software that powers them. Their responsibilities go well beyond basic site setup. A day in the role might include:
- Meeting with clients to gather project requirements and translate them into technical specifications
- Designing and developing both the front end and back end of a WordPress site
- Managing database integration and server configuration
- Creating custom WordPress themes and custom plugins
- Writing, testing, and debugging code across the WordPress codebase
- Troubleshooting security issues, plugin conflicts, and performance problems
- Training clients on how to use and manage their site
- Monitoring the site’s performance and applying necessary adjustments
- Collaborating with designers, other developers, and project managers
- Keeping up with new features in WordPress core, block editor updates, and broader web development trends
Strong communication skills and project management ability matter as much as technical skills in this role. WordPress developers frequently sit at the intersection of client expectations and technical reality, and the ability to navigate that clearly is what separates good developers from great ones.
WordPress developer requirements
Requirements vary by employer and role, but the common baseline for entering the field includes:
Technical skills:
- Proficiency in HTML, CSS, PHP, and JavaScript, the core programming languages of WordPress development
- Familiarity with jQuery, which is embedded throughout the WordPress core
- Understanding of Git or another version control system
- Experience with browser developer tools like Chrome DevTools
- Knowledge of responsive and adaptive design principles
- Understanding of the WordPress theme system, plugin architecture, and REST API
- Familiarity with the block editor and Full Site Editing (FSE) in modern WordPress
Non-technical skills:
- Strong written and verbal communication
- Project management fundamentals
- Ability to explain technical concepts in non-technical terms to clients
- Attention to detail and a methodical debugging approach
Experience and education:
- A bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field is common in job listings, but not universally required
- Four or more years of WordPress experience is typical for mid-level roles
- Portfolio of completed WordPress projects is often weighted equally or above formal credentials
- Demonstrated understanding of WordPress security best practices
JavaScript is currently the most popular programming language among developers globally, and its role in WordPress has expanded significantly with the block editor and React-based Gutenberg components. PHP remains the foundational scripting language of WordPress core, so fluency in both is valuable for anyone pursuing WordPress development seriously.
How to become a WordPress developer: a practical checklist
Follow these steps to become a WordPress developer:
Step 1: Acquire the programming languages you need
Start with HTML and CSS as your foundation. These aren’t optional preludes to the real work; they’re the structural backbone of everything you build in WordPress. From there, move to PHP, which is the scripting language that powers WordPress core and the engine behind custom themes and plugin development. Add JavaScript next, particularly as it relates to the block editor and front-end interactivity.
Your learning path will depend on your starting point. Someone with a computer science background will move through these quickly. Someone switching careers from an unrelated field should expect to spend six to twelve months developing working fluency before taking on client projects. Bootcamp programs provide an immersive, accelerated path; self-paced online courses allow you to move at your own pace around existing commitments.
Step 2: Immerse yourself in the WordPress ecosystem
Reading about WordPress at the level the WordPress codebase requires means starting with the official documentation. The WordPress Developer Handbook at developer.wordpress.org is the canonical reference for WordPress development, covering theme development, plugin development, common APIs, the REST API, WP-CLI, and coding standards. The WordPress Codex, while partially superseded by the Developer Handbook, still contains valuable reference material written by the people who built the platform.
Beyond documentation, familiarize yourself with how WordPress works at a structural level: the template hierarchy, the hook system (actions and filters), the loop, and the options API. Understanding these patterns deeply is what separates a WordPress developer from someone who can follow tutorials.
Step 3: Choose your specialization
The WordPress ecosystem is large enough that most developers specialize. Three main paths exist:
- Theme development: Theme developers create custom WordPress themes for clients, building visual templates that control the appearance and layout of a WordPress site. They distribute themes through WordPress theme directories or sell them on premium marketplaces. Theme development requires strong PHP, HTML, CSS, and increasingly JavaScript skills for block editor compatibility and Full Site Editing work.
- Plugin development: Plugin developers build custom plugins that extend WordPress functionality beyond what existing plugins offer. They may release plugins publicly through the WordPress plugin repository or build proprietary plugins for specific client requirements. Plugin development is deeply PHP-focused and requires a solid understanding of the WordPress hook system, database management, and security best practices.
- Core WordPress development: Core developers contribute directly to the WordPress software itself through the open-source contribution process. This is the most advanced path and requires deep familiarity with the WordPress codebase, coding standards, and the contribution workflow managed through the WordPress community’s Trac system. Most core contributors have years of professional experience before making meaningful contributions.
Step 4: Set up a development environment
You’ll need a local development environment to build, test, and iterate on WordPress projects without affecting a live site. Local by Flywheel is one of the most accessible tools for this, providing a full WordPress environment on your local machine with a few clicks. DevKinsta and XAMPP are alternatives for different workflows.
Setting up a staging environment or development subdomain on a hosting account is the next level: a place where you can show clients work in progress without going live. Professional WordPress developers never work directly on live production sites without testing in a staging environment first.
Step 5: Connect with the WordPress community
The WordPress community includes active forums, Slack channels, Discord channels, and in-person events where developers share knowledge, answer questions, and build professional relationships. Networking opportunities exist at WordPress conferences like WordCamp events held globally, as well as local WordPress meetups in many cities.
The community is genuinely helpful to people who are learning. Asking a specific, well-researched question in the right forum or Slack channel routinely produces useful answers from experienced developers. WordPress Jobs at jobs.wordpress.net is the official job listing platform specifically for WordPress roles, which is worth monitoring as you build toward your first professional position.
Step 6: Build a portfolio of real projects
A portfolio is often more important than a certificate or degree when applying for WordPress developer roles or pursuing freelance opportunities. Create a portfolio website to showcase your work, include your best projects with clear descriptions of what you built and what problem it solved, and make sure the sites are live and can be reviewed directly.
If you don’t yet have client projects, build demonstration projects: a fictional ecommerce store using WooCommerce, a custom theme built from scratch, a plugin that solves a specific problem. Demonstrating that you can build something complete and functional is what matters. A portfolio can also be included alongside your resume or linked to your LinkedIn profile to give potential employers direct evidence of your skills.
Do you need a certification to become a WordPress developer?
WordPress is open-source software managed by the WordPress Foundation, which is a nonprofit organization. There is no official governing body that issues mandatory certifications. A WordPress developer without any formal certification can be hired by a top agency or win significant freelance contracts based entirely on portfolio quality and demonstrated skill.
That said, certifications can still add value in specific contexts: satisfying a job application checklist, demonstrating knowledge in a verifiable way, or simply providing the structure that helps some learners stay on track. Several training programs offer structured courses with certificates:
- WordPress 101 (wp101.com): An accessible online academy covering WordPress fundamentals for an annual subscription of around $49
- WPMU DEV (wpmudev.com): Seven courses covering WordPress development and JavaScript, each with a completion certificate, available for approximately $49 annually
- WordPress Front-End Developer Certification Training Package (wptrainingcourses.com): A comprehensive program covering WordPress fundamentals through advanced theme development and WordPress security. More substantial investment than the options above
Certifications from recognized third-party platforms like Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, or freeCodeCamp carry some weight in the job market even without WordPress-specific branding, particularly for demonstrating proficiency in the underlying programming languages.
6 online resources to help you become a WordPress developer
These are the main online resources to follow:
1. WordPress.org Official Learning Platform
The official learning platform at learn.wordpress.org provides free, structured courses created by the WordPress community. This is the best starting point for developers who want material that reflects current WordPress standards, including the block editor and Full Site Editing. Courses cover development fundamentals through advanced topics and are updated as WordPress evolves. As the official learning resource of the platform itself, the content here is authoritative in a way no third-party course can fully match.
2. The WordPress Developer Handbook
The WordPress Developer Handbook at developer.wordpress.org is the essential reference for anyone working in WordPress development. It covers theme development, plugin development, common APIs, the REST API, WP-CLI commands, block editor development, and WordPress coding standards. This isn’t a course with guided exercises. It’s comprehensive technical documentation that you’ll return to constantly throughout your WordPress development career. Bookmark it from day one.
3. Udemy WordPress courses
Udemy offers over 130,000 courses total, including a significant library of WordPress development courses. The quality varies, so reading through recent student reviews before purchasing is essential. Look specifically for courses that cover PHP alongside WordPress-specific content, as the best WordPress development courses teach the underlying programming languages in context rather than treating WordPress as a black box. Udemy courses are frequently discounted significantly below the list price.
4. LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning has around 1,400 WordPress courses available, ranging from beginner-level site management through advanced development topics. The platform integrates directly with LinkedIn profiles, allowing you to display course completions publicly.
For developers building toward their first professional role, this visibility can be useful during the job search. The platform requires a subscription but is often available through public libraries at no additional cost.
5. JavaScript for WordPress
JavaScript for WordPress offers twelve advanced courses specifically focused on JavaScript in the context of WordPress development. This is particularly valuable given the expanding role of JavaScript in modern WordPress through the block editor, React-based Gutenberg components, and the REST API. Most general WordPress courses underserve JavaScript. This platform fills that gap directly for developers who want to work fluently with modern WordPress.
6. freeCodeCamp
freeCodeCamp offers free coding courses covering HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and web development fundamentals that apply directly to WordPress development. The platform is entirely free and hands-on, with structured projects that build practical skills.
For learners who don’t want to pay for training while they’re still assessing whether web development is the right career path, freeCodeCamp provides a genuinely high-quality foundation at no cost. Supplement it with the WordPress-specific resources above as you progress.
Additional resources worth bookmarking
- WPShout’s WordPress Theme Development course covers the WordPress template hierarchy, processing posts with the loop, and adding functionality via functions.php. A solid starting point for theme development, specifically.
- Codecademy’s Learn PHP is a 25-hour PHP course that builds fluency in the scripting language underlying all of WordPress core. The prerequisite is some familiarity with HTML, and it requires a monthly subscription.
- CodeinWP’s WordPress Cheat Sheets collection compiles over 120 cheat sheets for WordPress web developers, covering keyboard shortcuts, function names, arguments, and code structures that are useful to have on hand during active development work.
- WordPress Slack (make.wordpress.org/chat) provides access to the active developer channels where the global WordPress community discusses core development, plugin and theme development, and professional questions. Lurking in these channels is itself an education.
Start Strong in WordPress Development With the Right Foundation
WordPress development is a career path with real demand, measurable salary growth, and a global community that actively supports people learning the craft. The resources above give you a clear roadmap from foundational programming languages through platform-specific expertise.
Key takeaways:
- WordPress developers need working knowledge of PHP, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript at a minimum, with PHP and JavaScript being the most platform-critical
- Three specialization paths exist: theme development, plugin development, and core WordPress software development
- A local development environment and staging setup are essential before taking on any real project work
- The WordPress Developer Handbook at developer.wordpress.org is the authoritative technical reference for the entire ecosystem
- No official certification is required to become a WordPress developer, but structured courses and third-party certifications can be useful during the job search
- A portfolio of real or demonstration projects carries more weight than certificates in most hiring decisions
- The WordPress community, through Slack, forums, and WordCamp events, is a genuine professional resource, not just a support forum
If you’re building toward WordPress development and want to see the standard that professional agency work sets, explore our blog for in-depth guides on topics you’ll encounter throughout your career.
FAQs
What programming languages do I need to learn to become a WordPress developer?
The core programming languages for WordPress development are PHP, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. PHP is the scripting language that powers WordPress core and is the foundation of custom theme and plugin development. JavaScript has become increasingly important with the block editor and REST API. HTML and CSS handle the structural and visual presentation layers that all WordPress themes rely on.
Do I need a degree to become a WordPress developer?
A formal degree is not required to become a WordPress developer. Many working WordPress professionals are self-taught or bootcamp-trained. What matters most is demonstrable proficiency through a portfolio of completed WordPress projects, understanding of the WordPress ecosystem, and technical skills in the relevant programming languages. Some employers list a computer science degree as preferred, but hire strong candidates without one regularly.
How long does it take to become a WordPress developer?
Timeline varies significantly based on your starting point and learning intensity. Someone with an existing coding background might be ready for junior WordPress roles within three to six months of focused WordPress-specific study.
Someone starting from scratch with no coding experience should expect twelve to eighteen months of consistent learning before pursuing professional work. Bootcamp programs compress timelines through full-time immersive schedules.
What is the best free resource to learn WordPress development?
The official WordPress learning platform at learn.wordpress.org provides the highest-quality free structured content specifically for WordPress. freeCodeCamp covers foundational programming languages, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, at no cost. The WordPress Developer Handbook at developer.wordpress.org is the essential free reference documentation for all aspects of the platform.
What is the difference between a WordPress theme developer and a plugin developer?
Theme developers create the visual templates that control how a WordPress site looks and is structured. They work primarily with PHP, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to build layouts, page templates, and design systems. Plugin developers create software that extends WordPress functionality, working primarily in PHP with the WordPress hook system, database management, and custom APIs. Some developers work across both areas, but many specialize in one.
How do I find my first WordPress development job or freelance client?
Build a portfolio of completed projects and make them publicly accessible. WordPress Jobs at jobs.wordpress.net lists roles specifically in the WordPress ecosystem. Upwork and Toptal connect freelance developers with clients.
Participating actively in the WordPress Slack community and local WordCamp events creates direct professional connections that lead to referrals. Your first client or employer will almost always come through a demonstrated portfolio rather than a resume alone.
