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What does an senior php developer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted expert
Frank McCown Ph.D.

A senior PHP developer specializes in designing and developing websites and web applications using the PHP scripting language. Among their responsibilities include liaising with clients to identify and meet their needs, writing clean codes, producing systems according to client specifications, troubleshooting errors, and developing strategies to optimize operations. Moreover, as a senior PHP developer, it is essential to lead project efforts and serve as a mentor to junior developers, all while enforcing the company's policies and regulations.

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Senior php developer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real senior php developer resumes:

  • Manage deployment of the project in Linux base active-active load balance cluster server.
  • Manage multiple web and database servers in multiple locations to ensure constant availability, functionality, synchronization and security.
  • Develop user interface using HTML, XHTML, CSS, JSON and JavaScript to simplify the complexities of the application.
  • Create UI prototype with website structure, layouts, modules using CSS3, HTML for client acceptance.
  • Implement git base version control for migration.
  • Design and develop a framework that auto-generates CSS3 and HTML5 page.
  • Clean up and rewrite front end HTML and CSS3 to meet validation requirements.
  • Design the home page using PHP and imply various CSS like styles, classes for proper positioning of the items.
  • Design forms using JavaScript and create dynamic front-end validation.
  • Provide porting legacy Java application to newer PHP application plus internal and external user support, problem-solving, and development.
  • Maintain and manipulate databases for XML parsing for applications in MYSQL.
  • Work heavily on DRUPAL CMS development and develop various custom modules.
  • Develop, test and implement cross-browser compatible DRUPAL themes using valid XHTML/CSS.
  • Develop the code to generate XML and parse XML content into the files.
  • Involve in querying complex queries for maintaining data uploads and configuring Linux server files.

Senior php developer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 9% of Senior PHP Developers are proficient in JavaScript, CSS, and GIT. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Customer-service skills, and Concentration.

We break down the percentage of Senior PHP Developers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • JavaScript, 9%

    Designed forms using JavaScript and created dynamic front-end validation.

  • CSS, 6%

    Used CSS Sprites along with AngularJS to decrease the number of HTTP requests and load time of web pages.

  • GIT, 5%

    Used GIT repository for software configuration management and version control.

  • Front-End, 5%

    Participated in migrating the legacy website to a new REST API to be consumed by a AngularJS front-end.

  • WordPress, 5%

    Involved in the designing the templates, plugins, modules, active pages and customizing the CMS WordPress, PHP.

  • JQuery, 5%

    Developed HTML views with HTML5, CSS3, and JQUERY.

Common skills that an senior php developer uses to do their job include "javascript," "css," and "git." You can find details on the most important senior php developer responsibilities below.

Creativity. One of the key soft skills for an senior php developer to have is creativity. You can see how this relates to what senior php developers do because "web developers often are involved in designing the appearance of a website and must make sure that it is appealing as well as functional." Additionally, an senior php developer resume shows how senior php developers use creativity: "worked extensively with magento and developed niche tools and wrote import scripts to bring various formats of inventories into magento multi-sites. "

Customer-service skills. Many senior php developer duties rely on customer-service skills. "webmasters have to respond politely and correctly to user questions and requests.," so an senior php developer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways senior php developer responsibilities rely on customer-service skills: "developed the login, policy and claims screens for customers using ajax, jsp, html, css and javascript. "

Concentration. This is an important skill for senior php developers to perform their duties. For an example of how senior php developer responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "web developers must sit at a computer and write detailed code for long periods." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of an senior php developer: "developed infopath forms with concentration on integration into sharepoint lists. ".

Detail oriented. A big part of what senior php developers do relies on "detail oriented." You can see how essential it is to senior php developer responsibilities because "web developers need to have an eye for detail, because a minor error in coding could cause an entire webpage to stop working." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical senior php developer tasks: "created client-side ui with object- oriented javascript and ajax with api. "

All senior php developer skills

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Compare different senior php developers

Senior php developer vs. Mobile applications developer

A mobile application developer is responsible for designing programming applications for mobile devices according to clients' specifications and business demands. Mobile application developers must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, as well as computer system commands to develop efficient scripts and smooth navigation of operating systems. They analyze the clients' needs and recommend application solutions within their budget limitations and timeframe. A mobile application developer identifies inconsistencies and glitches with the output before submission to ensure its stability and optimal performance.

If we compare the average senior php developer annual salary with that of a mobile applications developer, we find that mobile applications developers typically earn a $10,357 lower salary than senior php developers make annually.Even though senior php developers and mobile applications developers are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require javascript, css, and git in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an senior php developer are more likely to require skills like "front-end," "python," "lamp," and "laravel." On the other hand, a job as a mobile applications developer requires skills like "c++," "c #," "react native," and "objective c." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Mobile applications developers really shine in the pharmaceutical industry with an average salary of $107,574. Comparatively, senior php developers tend to make the most money in the retail industry with an average salary of $106,946.The education levels that mobile applications developers earn slightly differ from senior php developers. In particular, mobile applications developers are 1.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an senior php developer. Additionally, they're 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Senior php developer vs. Lead software developer

A lead software developer is responsible for creating and designing software applications and systems to support business functions and client requirements. Lead software developers analyze specifications to build efficient applications, conduct multiple quality testing, and enhance the user's interface. They also coordinate with the design engineers to modify and improve the features of existing software applications for optimal performance. A lead software developer must have excellent communication and technical skills, especially in considering the current technology trends to meet demands.

On average, lead software developers earn a $5,458 higher salary than senior php developers a year.A few skills overlap for senior php developers and lead software developers. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "javascript," "css," and "jquery. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that senior php developer responsibilities requires skills like "git," "front-end," "wordpress," and "lamp." But a lead software developer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "architecture," "software development," "api," and "project management."

Lead software developers earn a higher average salary than senior php developers. But lead software developers earn the highest pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $115,917. Additionally, senior php developers earn the highest salaries in the retail with average pay of $106,946 annually.lead software developers earn similar levels of education than senior php developers in general. They're 1.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for senior php developers in the next 3-5 years?

Frank McCown Ph.D.Frank McCown Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Associate Professor, Harding University

Software continues to move to mobile devices and the web and away from desktop applications. The pandemic has encouraged growth in applications that make in-person transactions go away, and that trend will likely continue. Obviously AI-enabled or assisted applications will continue to grow.

Senior php developer vs. Java/j2ee developer

Java developers are in charge of the design, development, and management of Java-based applications. Whereas, J2EE or Java 2 Platform Enterprise Edition developers are responsible for developing web and software enterprise-internet level applications. Both developers utilize the Java programming language, but the first one develops desktop-based applications while the later develop enterprise-related applications. Java developers have many roles and responsibilities, and they vary based on the applications that they develop and design.

An average java/j2ee developer eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of senior php developers. The difference in salaries amounts to java/j2ee developers earning a $18,619 lower average salary than senior php developers.By looking over several senior php developers and java/j2ee developers resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "javascript," "css," and "git." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from senior php developer resumes include skills like "front-end," "wordpress," "python," and "lamp," whereas a java/j2ee developer is more likely to list skills in "database," "mvc," "junit," and "j2ee. "

Java/j2ee developers earn the highest salary when working in the finance industry, where they receive an average salary of $100,301. Comparatively, senior php developers have the highest earning potential in the retail industry, with an average salary of $106,946.java/j2ee developers typically earn similar educational levels compared to senior php developers. Specifically, they're 3.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Senior php developer vs. Web application developer

A web application developer is responsible for designing website and system applications following clients' specifications and business' needs. Web application developers utilize their expertise in programming languages and system codes, ensuring the efficiency and smooth navigation of the website. They also run multiple diagnostic tests on the output before release, identifying inconsistencies, and addressing incompatibilities on browsers and devices. A web application developer should be detail-oriented and highly-technical as this job requires excellent digital knowledge to manage complex systems.

Web application developers average a lower salary than the annual salary of senior php developers. The difference is about $23,774 per year.According to resumes from senior php developers and web application developers, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "javascript," "css," and "git. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. An senior php developer uses "front-end," "laravel," "aws," and "rest api." Web application developers are more likely to have duties that require skills in "database," "api," "web forms," and "front end. "The finance industry tends to pay the highest salaries for web application developers, with average annual pay of $88,928. Comparatively, the highest senior php developer annual salary comes from the retail industry.In general, web application developers hold lower degree levels compared to senior php developers. Web application developers are 6.2% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of senior php developer

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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