Most people interested in coding will come to hear of Python at one point or another. But what is Python? And why is it such an amazing career option?
Python is a programming language known for its simplicity as well as its versatility. It is used in an incredible amount of scenarios, like web development, data science, artificial intelligence and more.
Thanks to all these uses, software developers that use Python are in relatively high demand.
This, along with its relative simplicity, means that it is a great option, whether you are a beginner trying to find your first job or a seasoned developer trying to ensure that you guarantee future employment.
Let’s cover everything you need to know about becoming a Python developer, from getting started with learning the language to the different jobs you might be able to get with it and everything in between.
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What Does a Python Developer Do?
Responsibilities of a Python Developer
As a Python developer, you could have a range of responsibilities. As mentioned above, people use Python in a variety of situations. Your responsibilities will vary based on the goals of the project that you are working on.
One of your most likely responsibilities will be to write and maintain Python code. Your goal when writing code should be to make it as efficient and reliable as possible.
You will also likely encounter situations where you will have to integrate user-facing elements that have been created by front-end developers with server-side logic.
As part of this, you will have to work with cross-functional teams to make sure that you design and deploy new features efficiently.
This is what we do at Trio.dev as part of our Web App Solutions.
A lot of Python developers are also involved in implementing security and data protection solutions. This is usually more prominent in web development roles.
And, of course, you will have to troubleshoot and debug existing code and applications. You might do this for your own code or when participating in code reviews.
Skills Required for Python Developer
To excel in software development using the Python language, you will need several key skills.
First, you will need to be proficient in Python and most of the Python libraries. This will allow you to use the language to the fullest.
Then, you need to understand web frameworks like Django or Flask. Similarly, you will also need to be familiar with front-end technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. This is critical for integrating all components of web applications.
You will also need to know how to use databases and SQL for the various aspects of data analysis, such as managing and querying data.
Although Python is a powerful language, as with most other languages, you will need to use version control systems like Git when collaborating with others in development work.
There are also some skills that you will need that are not purely associated with developers, like problem solving, self-management, communication, and so on.
Typical Python Development Projects
If you are new to Python, the sheer number of potential uses can be quite overwhelming. The language is versatile, but you will need to know more than just the language for certain situations.
Python developers work in web development and web services to create websites and web applications. In these situations, Python developers use frameworks like Django and Flask.
However, they can also work in data analysis, where they will need to use libraries like Pandas and NumPy. These libraries. It will help you analyze and visualize data.
Machine learning projects are also very popular for Python developers. In these positions, you will need to create algorithms and models.
Many developers use libraries like TensorFlow, Keras, and Scikit-Learn in these positions to help them automate tasks.
Our automation solutions offer a wide range of services that can help streamline these tasks.
Some Python projects are also in video game development. In these roles, Python developers often work on building games using libraries like Pygame.
Platforms like Pinterest use Python extensively for their backend infrastructure, data analysis, and machine learning algorithms, demonstrating the language’s flexibility and powerful capabilities.
Of course, there are many other job roles that a Python developer may encounter, and every developer will have their own preferences and unique skill set. But these are some of the most popular and notable positions.
How to Become a Python Developer?
Steps to Start Learning Python
To start learning Python, you need to figure out what resources would suit you best. There are online courses and boot camps, books, video tutorials, and much more.
Many of these resources are entirely free. However, free Python courses don’t always carry credibility. Usually, those that come with an official certificate have a very reasonable fee.
Then, you will need to install Python on your computer and set up an integrated development environment (IDE.) Some popular ones include PyCharm and VSCode.
Usually, the first few lessons of your course or BootCamp will help you do this, so it is best to go with their recommendations.
The best way to learn Python is to start with the basics. These include concepts like variables, data types, loops, and functions.
Many beginners choose Python as their first learning language due to its simplicity and readability, making it easier to grasp fundamental programming concepts.
Do not just learn theory. It is important to practice by writing small programs yourself and participating in exercises.
Once you have finished your course, if you have done all of the lessons yourself and actually typed out the code, you can add many of these to a portfolio and can start participating in slightly more concept projects to test and build your skills.
You can work on your own projects in the Python language, or try open-source projects that you find on online forums for the Python community.
Mastering Python Programming Language
Once you have grasped the basics, finishing a BootCamp or a course, for example, there is still much to learn.
Some advanced concepts include object-oriented programming, decorators, and generators.
There are no clear guidelines for mastering Python. The important thing is that you keep exploring libraries and frameworks that are relevant to your interests.
Whenever possible, try to work on a project that challenges your skills. This will help you to reaffirm your existing knowledge, but will also help you learn new concepts and move towards mastery.
Building Portfolio Projects with Python
A strong portfolio is very important to show potential employers your Python programming skills. You should include projects that show your versatile capabilities.
Some things you can consider including are fully functional Python applications that include features like user authentication and CRUD operations.
You can also analyze large sets of data and show how you create visualizations and reports to illustrate your data analysis capabilities.
If you want to get into the machine-learning field, you can build and deploy your own machine-learning model and show how it solves a problem.
I also recommend writing automation scripts for tasks like data scraping and file management, as this increased productivity can appeal to your future employer.
Similarly, if you want to get into game development, people will be more likely to hire Python developers with a developed game or simulation in their portfolio.
Overall, your portfolio should showcase a wide variety of your developer skills but should also be tailored to each application and make you stand out among other Python developers also applying.
Python Developer Salary Insights
Factors Affecting Python Developer Salary
There are several key factors that will influence how much you earn as a Python developer.
The first is your experience level. More experienced Python developers will earn more money because they will be more adept at using the language and will probably be more efficient.
Location will also play a role. If you work in a major tech hub with a higher cost of living, you will earn more than you would in a small town. Remote positions are a bit more difficult and generally vary from company to company.
Of course, the industry that you work in will also affect your pay. If you work in a highly lucrative industry like finance or healthcare, the resulting financial benefit will be greater.
Lastly, if you can showcase that you are specialized in a specific area, through a degree or certificate, you will usually be able to negotiate a larger salary.
Consider looking into machine learning, artificial intelligence, or big data if you want to be a high earner.
Average Python Developer Earnings
As a Python developer, you can expect, on average, a very competitive salary. But exactly how much does a Python developer earn?
If you want more information on the specific area that you live in, consider using a platform like Glassdoor.
According to this same platform, the average Python developer earning across the entire United States in May 2024 is $118,000 per year.
However, the most likely range, between the 25th and 75th percentile, is $98k to $145k.
Python developers with less than one year of experience can earn a likely range of anything between $75k and $134k.
Salary Comparison in Different Countries
As mentioned above, location is one of the many factors that can influence your potential salary.
In countries like India, where the cost of living is a lot lower than in the United States, the average salary in India is around ₹596,578, or just over $7000, depending on the exchange rate.
Germany, another first-world country, has an average salary of €60,000, or around $65,000.
What Skills Are Essential for a Python Developer?
Technical Skills for Python Developers
The most important technical Python developer skills include an understanding of Python syntax. This includes being able to understand and use data structures, algorithms, and other programming principles.
Next, you need to be familiar with web frameworks, as already mentioned. Try to use Django, Flask, FastAPI, and others that you think you will encounter when building web apps or APIs.
A Python developer must know how to use libraries and tools. Even if they don’t know all of the libraries out there, a developer needs to know how to look for what they need and learn to adapt to new ones.
Similarly, you will need knowledge of SQL and enough experience with some databases that you are easily able to adapt to a new one for your data storage and retrieval needs.
Then, there are the basics of programming, such as version control systems, testing, and debugging.
Try to experiment with writing unit tests and debugging code. Working on open-source projects will not only teach you these skills but will help you work with version control systems.
Soft Skills for Successful Python Developers
You will rarely work on your own. Instead, development projects in the Python language will be a small part of a larger finished project.
It is impossible to get by with only hard skills, so you will need to develop certain soft skills like communication, teamwork, and adaptability. Time management is also very important to ensure that you can work efficiently and not delay the overall project.
Additionally, you will need to develop good attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
Here at Trio.dev, our Python team has mastered both soft skills and hard skills to provide the best possible services to our clients. The same standards are upheld in our staff augmentation.
How in Demand Are Python Developers?
Current Market Demand for Python Developers
The current market demand for Python developers is quite high. A survey by Emergen Research estimated that the revenue of the Python market will increase by 44% between 2022 and 2030, which is quite a large growth for an eight-year period.
This can probably be attributed to the increase in demand for web development, software development, and other end-use applications.
Growth Opportunities for Python Developers
There are many growth opportunities if you are starting a Python career. Since Python is being used for such a wide array of paths, you can specialize in high-demand areas like data science, machine learning, or cybersecurity.
As you work with data a lot and need to become proficient in a variety of skills when working with Python, you can advance to other positions. These include lead developer, technical architect, or even CTO.
There are also a lot of people looking for a Python developer online, so there are opportunities for freelancing.
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What Jobs Can You Get With Python?
Web Developer
A lot of the backend functionality of web applications is written in Python. As a web developer, your roles and responsibilities will involve building and maintaining websites and web apps.
Many Python developers who work in web development will be part of an extensive team that includes designers, front-end developers, and more.
Python Developer
In a specialized Python developer job, you will probably work on a couple of different software development projects.
You could be expected to work in web development, automation, data analysis, and more. A Python developer’s responsibilities include debugging and testing applications, as well as making sure that they are ready for deployment.
Software Engineer
Software engineers need to understand the versatility of Python and utilize it to create algorithms, work on data structures, and used a variety of software design principles to design and maintain software systems.
Software engineers will usually need to be proficient with other programming languages like Java.
Data Scientist
Data scientists use Python scripts to analyze and interpret large and complicated data sets. They usually have to organize this information to help others make decisions.
As a data scientist, you might also need to build predictive models using machine learning libraries.
A Python developer is also responsible for leveraging Python’s powerful libraries, such as Pandas, NumPy, and SciPy.
Machine Learning Engineer
Machine learning engineers use Python as their preferred programming language to create algorithms and models that can learn and make predictions.
Extensive Python use is very popular in machine learning. This is because of Python’s simplicity, which supports these tasks.
A Python developer is responsible for developing and deploying machine learning models using libraries like TensorFlow, Keras, and PyTorch to build and optimize models.
For more information on our Python services, or to hire either an individual or a team, consider reaching out to us.