Is WordPress developer a thing?

Introduction: Understanding the WordPress development landscape

WordPress has evolved dramatically from its humble beginnings as a blogging platform in 2003 to become the world’s most dominant content management system. This meteoric rise has created an entire ecosystem of professionals dedicated specifically to WordPress development. As businesses increasingly rely on WordPress for everything from simple websites to complex enterprise solutions, the demand for specialized WordPress developers has grown exponentially.

The WordPress development landscape encompasses a wide spectrum of services and specializations. At one end, you have developers focused on implementing pre-built themes with minor customizations. At the other end, you have highly-skilled engineers creating sophisticated WordPress custom development solutions with complex databases, API integrations, and custom functionality.

With WordPress’s market dominance showing no signs of waning, the role of WordPress developers has become increasingly specialized and valued. These professionals bridge the gap between WordPress’s core capabilities and the unique requirements of businesses seeking customized digital solutions.

What does a WordPress developer actually do?

WordPress developers are responsible for a diverse range of tasks that extend far beyond simply installing WordPress and selecting themes. Their work encompasses everything from front-end visual customizations to complex back-end development that enhances WordPress’s core functionality.

At the foundation, WordPress developers work with:

• Theme development and customization – Building custom themes or modifying existing ones to meet specific design and functionality requirements
• Plugin development – Creating custom plugins to extend WordPress functionality or integrating and customizing existing plugins
• Core customization – Modifying WordPress core features (though this is typically done through hooks rather than editing core files)
• Website maintenance – Ensuring websites remain secure, updated, and optimized
• Performance optimization – Improving loading speeds, user experience, and overall site performance
• Security implementation – Protecting sites from vulnerabilities and implementing best security practices

Advanced WordPress developers also handle complex tasks like creating custom post types, taxonomies, and database structures, building REST API endpoints, integrating third-party services, and developing complex e-commerce functionalities through WooCommerce.

The day-to-day work might involve writing code in PHP, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS, troubleshooting issues, collaborating with designers and content creators, and communicating with clients to understand and implement requirements.

Is WordPress development considered real software development?

Yes, WordPress development is absolutely real software development. This common misconception often stems from WordPress’s reputation as a platform that allows non-developers to create websites. However, professional WordPress development involves sophisticated programming concepts, architectural design decisions, and technical challenges comparable to other software development specializations.

Professional WordPress developers work with:

• Object-oriented PHP programming
• JavaScript frameworks like React (used in the WordPress Gutenberg editor)
• Complex database queries and optimizations
• API development and integrations
• Version control systems like Git
• Automated testing and deployment pipelines

Enterprise-level WordPress projects often involve highly complex architectures including multisite networks, custom database tables, complex user role management systems, and sophisticated caching and performance optimization techniques. These projects require the same level of software engineering expertise as applications built on other frameworks.

The distinction between a “WordPress implementer” who simply installs and configures existing themes and plugins, and a true WordPress developer who writes custom code and builds bespoke solutions, is important to recognize. Professional WordPress development demands genuine software development skills and should be respected as a legitimate software engineering specialization.

What skills do you need to become a professional WordPress developer?

Becoming a professional WordPress developer requires a combination of technical programming skills, WordPress-specific knowledge, and essential soft skills that enable effective client collaboration. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of the core competencies needed:

Technical skills:

• PHP – The programming language WordPress is built upon (versions 7.4+ are most relevant)
• JavaScript – Especially modern ES6+, jQuery, and increasingly React for Gutenberg development
• HTML and CSS – Including responsive design principles and preprocessors like SASS
• MySQL – For understanding and optimizing the WordPress database structure
• Git – For version control and collaborative development
• Command line proficiency – For using development tools and server management

WordPress-specific knowledge:

• WordPress Core – Understanding hooks (actions and filters), the template hierarchy, and core APIs
• Theme development – Knowledge of theme structure, template files, and the WordPress Customizer
• Plugin development – Understanding plugin architecture and WordPress security best practices
• WooCommerce (for e-commerce specialists) – Knowledge of product types, payment gateways, and extensions
• WordPress REST API – For building headless WordPress applications and integrations

Essential soft skills:

• Problem-solving abilities – For debugging and finding creative solutions to complex requirements
• Client communication – Ability to translate technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders
• Time management – For juggling multiple projects and meeting deadlines
• Continuous learning aptitude – WordPress evolves rapidly, requiring ongoing education

The learning path typically begins with HTML, CSS, and basic PHP before advancing to WordPress-specific concepts like hooks, template hierarchy, and custom post types. Many developers start by customizing existing themes before advancing to building custom themes and plugins from scratch.

How much do WordPress developers earn?

WordPress developer earnings vary significantly based on experience level, specialization, location, and employment type. As with most technology professions, WordPress development offers competitive compensation that tends to increase with expertise and specialization.

Entry-level WordPress developers typically start with modest salaries as they build their skills and portfolio. Mid-level developers with several years of experience and proven abilities in custom development command higher rates, while senior WordPress developers with specialized expertise in areas like WooCommerce development, security, or enterprise solutions are positioned at the top of the pay scale.

Freelance WordPress developers often charge hourly rates or project-based fees, with experienced freelancers typically commanding higher rates than agency employees but dealing with the additional overhead of finding clients and managing their own business operations.

Agency-employed WordPress developers generally receive stable salaries with benefits, while in-house WordPress developers for larger companies often enjoy the highest overall compensation packages including benefits and potential stock options.

Specializations that tend to command premium rates include:

• Enterprise WordPress development
• WooCommerce development for complex e-commerce solutions
• WordPress performance optimization
• WordPress security specialization
• Headless WordPress development with modern JavaScript frameworks

Geographical location significantly impacts earnings, with WordPress developers in major tech hubs and Western countries typically earning more than those in other regions, though remote work opportunities continue to equalize these differences somewhat.

Should you hire a specialized WordPress developer or a general web developer?

Choosing between a specialized WordPress developer and a general web developer depends largely on your project’s specific requirements, complexity, and the role WordPress will play in your overall digital strategy.

Hire a specialized WordPress developer when:

• Your project will be built entirely on WordPress with complex custom requirements
• You need deep expertise in WordPress-specific technologies like WooCommerce or Gutenberg
• You’re planning a large-scale WordPress multisite network
• Your project requires custom plugin development or advanced theme customization
• You’re integrating WordPress with external systems and need someone familiar with the WordPress API
• You have an existing WordPress site that needs significant customization or troubleshooting

Consider a general web developer when:

• Your project involves multiple technologies beyond just WordPress
• You need a simple WordPress implementation with minimal customization
• Your digital strategy encompasses various platforms and technologies
• You want someone who can adapt if your technical needs change away from WordPress

For complex WordPress projects requiring WordPress custom development work, a specialized WordPress developer will typically deliver superior results more efficiently. They’ll understand WordPress’s architecture, best practices, and potential pitfalls in ways that general developers may not.

However, for organizations needing versatility across multiple platforms or those just starting with a simple WordPress implementation, a general web developer might be more cost-effective while providing adequate results.

Conclusion: The evolving role of WordPress developers in today’s digital landscape

WordPress development has cemented itself as a legitimate and valuable career path within the broader software development industry. As WordPress continues to evolve beyond its origins as a simple blogging platform into a robust application framework powering everything from e-commerce stores to enterprise websites, the role of WordPress developers has similarly expanded in both scope and complexity.

Today’s WordPress developers aren’t merely implementing pre-built themes—they’re architecting sophisticated digital solutions that leverage WordPress’s extensible framework to meet complex business requirements. The introduction of the block editor (Gutenberg) and WordPress’s evolution toward becoming a full application framework has further elevated the technical skills required of WordPress specialists.

For businesses, working with specialized WordPress developers offers significant advantages. These professionals combine deep platform knowledge with broader web development skills to deliver solutions that maximize WordPress’s capabilities while adhering to current development standards and best practices.

Looking ahead, WordPress developers will continue to adapt as the platform embraces modern development approaches including headless architectures, block-based development, and deeper integration with external systems and services. This ongoing evolution ensures that WordPress development remains not just “a thing,” but a dynamic, challenging, and rewarding specialization within the broader software development industry.