There are more than 4.5 billion active internet users today. This statistic shows why establishing an online presence has become so crucial for businesses. Our SharePoint developer job description and salary expectations overview can assist you in becoming a part of a large and lucrative market.
This position requires a specific set of hard skills, as you must be familiar with Microsoft’s environment and have a strong command of front-end programming languages.
Moreover, you will need various soft skills that will allow you to come up with creative solutions to the problems your clients are encountering.
The most crucial step in becoming a SharePoint developer is learning how to use all of the tools SharePoint offers. In this article, we’re going to provide you with the information you need to take your first steps towards landing a SharePoint developer job.
Read our IT software developer job description if you’d like to follow this career path.
What is SharePoint?
Most people know SharePoint as a collaboration tool that is available within Microsoft’s 365 Office package. However, as a developer, you’ll have to be familiar with the SharePoint Framework that allows you to use client-side development tools.
You’ll also need access to JavaScript libraries, source code editors, Yeoman Generators, gulp task runners, and Webpack module bundler in order to start new projects within the SharePoint framework. The SharePoint technology is commonly used to develop or configure SharePoint systems and websites.
Besides building front-end solutions for your organization or clients, you can utilize this technology to share, manage, store or access different types of documents. All data you add to a website or a webpage can be accessed from any device using a web browser like Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.
The SharePoint framework allows you to develop software, come up with integration solutions or test the apps and software products you’ve created. Go through our guide to the best IT tools if you’re searching for security software or ways to facilitate your workflow.
The Key Responsibilities of SharePoint Developers
As a SharePoint developer, you’ll be responsible for creating and customizing websites, all components that constitute a website, or different types of applications. Let’s take a look at some of the tasks SharePoint developers perform daily.
Writing code
Writing code for websites and applications you develop is one of the main tasks you’ll have as a SharePoint developer. However, you’ll also have to collaborate closely with clients or members of different teams within an organization to ensure that the code you wrote meets their requirements.
Modifying code and software testing
Revising and adjusting the code is also a part of the job, as you need to ensure that the website, app, or software you’re developing is functioning correctly. Hence, you’ll have to conduct rigorous testing, detect and fix bugs before you can present your solution to a client.
Work on the resolution of technical issues
Even after a client approves your solution, you’ll still have to assist them if they encounter a technical problem. In some cases, you’ll also be responsible for creating updates on the apps or websites you developed.
Check out our mobile app developer job description for more information about the skills you need to get this job.
Honing the SharePoint Developers Skills
Utilizing SharePoint’s full potential is impossible if you don’t have the right skills. Besides, learning how to use SharePoint takes time and requires a lot of practice.
However, you’ll need a specific set of skills before you arrive at the point where you can start figuring out how to create website templates or develop apps. Here are some of the most important hard skills you’re going to need to become a SharePoint developer.
UI and UX design
A strong background in UI and UX design is required for this role since you’ll be in charge of creating the point of interaction between the end-user and the applications you develop and envisioning the experience they will have while using the web pages or apps you create.
You’ll also need a strong command of the UX and UI tools such as Figma, InVision Studio, Adobe Illustrator, or Adobe XD.
Front-end programming languages
You’ll need to learn at least one and preferably several front-end programming languages before you can start using the SharePoint environment to build apps and websites. Most companies require proficiency in HTML5, JavaScript, CSS or XML.
Learning these programming languages isn’t difficult, but it still requires a lot of work, especially if you don’t have previous experience with front-end development. Getting a tutor might speed up this process, but you’ll still have to spend at least six months on each of these programming languages.
Familiarity with software frameworks
A software framework is a reusable software environment that facilitates the process of app development. SharePoint developers commonly use .NET, VisualBasic.NET, and ASP.NET frameworks to create application-specific software.
These frameworks are developed by Microsoft, and you can use either of them to build apps or websites in SharePoint. Mastering .NET or VisualBasic.NET doesn’t take more than a few months, but learning the support programming languages can be more time-consuming.
Coding experience
You don’t have to be a seasoned programmer who has vast experience with Python or C++ to become a SharePoint developer, but you must be comfortable using C# (C-Sharp). Microsoft’s object-oriented programming language is similar to Java, and it is designed to work with the .NET framework.
Its main purpose is to make the app development process easier and to encourage developers to create applications by modifying existing code. C# is less complex than most programming languages, and it shouldn’t take you more than a few months to learn how to use it.
Necessary Qualifications
Although becoming a self-taught SharePoint developer isn’t impossible, it is incredibly difficult since less than 1% of people who land this job have only a high school diploma or a certificate. On the other hand, 72% of SharePoint developers have a bachelor’s degree, while 18,1% have a master’s degree.
Ideally, you’ll obtain either of these degrees in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or Information Technology before you start considering a career in this field. However, learning SharePoint at home is far from impossible, but it requires a lot of dedication.
Attending boot camps or online courses can provide you with structured training and a way to learn the industry’s best practices. However, it is also important to remember that becoming a SharePoint developer is a career decision, so you have to profile yourself for this role even if you have a college degree.
Please go through our web developer job description to find out more about the role of a backend developer.
Becoming a SharePoint developer
You’ll need a considerable amount of experience in IT before you can start applying for SharePoint developer positions. However, there are several steps you can take that will put you closer to being eligible for this role, so let’s take a look at some of the most important ones.
Learn the technical aspects of SharePoint
The HIVE directory contains files that will help you understand how SharePoint was constructed and help you discover ways to extend it. This directory contains information about the layout pages, user controls, web templates, and numerous other features.
Studying these files will make it easier to go get used to the SharePoint environment and encourage you to experiment within that environment.
Gain professional experience
Landing a less demanding job that will allow you to become proficient in C#, .NET framework, or JavaScript can help you prepare for the challenges presented by the SharePoint developer position.
You have to purposely develop the skills for this role, and you should take every opportunity you have to gain the necessary experience. Most employers require you to have two to four years of professional experience in web or app development jobs to consider you an eligible candidate.
Getting a job as a SharePoint designer or a SharePoint administrator is usually easier than getting the SharePoint developer job, so it might be a good idea to target one of these positions to get your foot in the door and then work your way up.
Attending SharePoint certification courses
There are plenty of learning opportunities that can help you get the SharePoint developer position faster. Microsoft offers certification programs such as Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist or Microsoft SharePoint Application Development certification.
In addition, you can join SharePoint Developer networks on LinkedIn or similar platforms where you can find relevant information about the position and get first-hand information from industry professionals.
Go through our CCNA vs. CCNP comparison to find out which certification program has more to offer.
Average SharePoint developer salaries
The SharePoint developer salary range spans from $50,000 for the entry-level roles to $150,000 for senior-level positions, depending on the state, the company, and the candidate’s experience level.
The national annual salary average is $106,506 or $52 per hour, while the majority of SharePoint developers earn between $85,000 and $125,000 per year.
Cities like New York, Boston, or Santa Monika are some of the best destinations for SharePoint developers because the salaries in these cities are above the national average.
You can earn more than $10,000 per month if you land a SharePoint developer job in New York or as much as $57 per hour if you live in Boston.
You should also learn more about salaries for this position within a specific industry and base your salary expectations on that information.
It’s also worth adding that many SharePoint developers work as freelancers rather than full-time employees, but you should only pursue this path if you feel confident that you can secure your own clients.
Read our guide to IT security roles and salary expectations if you’d like to pursue this career path.
The Pros and Cons of Becoming a SharePoint Developer
Advantages
Room for creativity and experimentation
Every new project brings the opportunity to do something different and unique. You’ll be challenged to come up with creative solutions for the applications you’re building. The opportunities SharePoint offer are seemingly endless, and you’ll have the freedom to explore different software development solutions.
Learning how to use SharePoint isn’t difficult
Arguably, the most difficult part of becoming a SharePoint developer is mastering front-end programming languages. But, once you’re over that hump, it shouldn’t take you long to figure out software frameworks or SharePoint’s functionalities.
Steady income
Despite high demand, there aren’t too many SharePoint developers on the market. That’s why companies offer high salaries for this position to candidates with the proper credentials.
Disadvantages
Some aspects of SharePoint are undocumented.
The SharePoint platform is vast, which means that sooner or later, you’re going to wind up in uncharted territory. Unfortunately, finding help online isn’t always an option, even if you’re a member of SharePoint developer groups and forums.
Going through the certification process can be tiring
Acquiring Microsoft’s SharePoint developer certification will significantly increase your chances of getting hired for this role, but figuring out which exams you need to take or how to prepare for those exams can be difficult.
What’s the Difference Between a SharePoint Developer and a .NET Developer
The key difference between a SharePoint developer and a .NET developer is the understanding of the SharePoint platform. All you need to start using the .NET framework is knowledge of C#, and you don’t have to know anything about building applications with SharePoint.
Despite the fact that SharePoint is built on the ASP.NET framework, a developer should be familiar with the .NET framework because he or she might end up using it to solve a problem. That’s why you should first learn to use the .NET framework before moving on to SharePoint.
Frequently Asked Questions About SharePoint Developers
Answer: Yes, ensuring that the apps they build are safe to use is a big part of what SharePoint developers do.
Answer: Tying your entire career to a single Microsoft product might be a risky choice because you can’t know if and when the technology will become obsolete. However, you can use the skills you need to become a SharePoint developer to transition to different software development or UX design role.
Answer: No, but having a mentor might be useful since you’ll have someone to turn to if you don’t understand something.
Answer: A single exam costs $165, but you might have to take more than one exam to get Microsoft’s SharePoint developer certificate.
Final Thoughts
Becoming a SharePoint developer is a career choice that requires you to have a specific set of skills, as you need to know several programming languages, feel confident working with software framework environments, and have extensive knowledge of SharePoint technology.
Acquiring all these skills and gaining enough experience to get hired as a SharePoint developer will take years, but once you reach this goal, you’ll be able to earn well above the national average. Was this article helpful?
Let us know in the comments, or continue reading our UX designer job description to find out more about the role and average salary expectations for this position.
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