How to Become a Highly-paid Blockchain Developer

27-06-22

Start a Career in Blockchain Development in 2022

Many people today want to find out how to become a highly-paid blockchain developer. Why? Because the demand for blockchain developers is increasing exponentially, with many blue-chip companies seeking top talent to fill their expanding requirements for experienced blockchain developers. Still, how easy is it to become a blockchain developer and build a career in the cryptocurrency space? In addition, is it a lucrative career and what is a blockchain developer’s salary?

This post is a step-by-step guide for how to become a highly-paid blockchain developer and starting a rewarding and financially lucrative career. The job provides scope for promotion and diversity, such as a blockchain architect role or a metaverse developer.

Contents

What is a Blockchain Developer?

A blockchain is a distributed ledger that records and maintains details of every transaction on the entire global network. If you’re searching for blockchain developer jobs, you may want to understand the role of a blockchain developer.

Firstly, a blockchain developer’s primary function is to design secure blockchain systems to enable the recording of transactions and keep data storage safe from hacking by preventing anyone from making changes. Secondly, a blockchain developer works with blockchain technologies, including developing application interfaces and features and maintaining server-side and client applications, such as smart contracts.

Blockchain developer roles require someone with highly-skilled knowledge and expertise in blockchain development programming languages and cryptography experience. In addition, companies want to hire a blockchain developer who can integrate tools and technologies and someone who can work fast and efficiently to design secure blockchain solutions. Moreover, in blockchain technology, transaction speed and efficiency are essential for providing scalable solutions.

Blockchain Developer Job Specifications

Many companies require a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information Technology or equivalent, and be up to date with cryptology techniques. Above all, most companies require a minimum of two years of experience in blockchain development.

You should have advanced programming language experience, exceptional problem-solving skills, an analytical mind and a keen eye for details. In addition, you must be able to organise your workload without supervision, have good communication skills, and if you can collaborate well with a team, it will serve in your favour.

There are two types of Blockchain developers: –

Blockchain Software Developer: Develops smart contracts, APIs and the front and back end of DApps
Core Blockchain Developer: Designs the consensus and blockchain protocols, the network architecture and implements multiple blockchain functionality and features, etc.

In addition, you can work as a freelance blockchain developer or apply for a salaried position. There is a huge demand for top talent in cryptocurrency and blockchain jobs.

How to Become a highly-paid Blockchain Developer with no Experience

There’s a clear roadmap for beginning a career as a blockchain developer. This section provides a step-by-step guide for getting started in blockchain development.

Academic Experience

A background in computer science is a great start or in-depth experience in Information technology. Most importantly, many blockchain developer roles specify a prerequisite for a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. That is to say, you could experience challenges getting to the interview stage if a degree is a company requirement.

That said, not every company insists on a degree. For instance, you could get a foot in the door if you can demonstrate an academic background and aptitude for understanding and implementing blockchain technology. Training programs available for blockchain developers can help you gain valuable experience. In addition, certification enables demonstrable proof of knowledge to potential employers. That said, most of the leading IT companies insist on a degree.

Develop your Tech Skills

Blockchain developer jobs require proficiency and expertise in multiple technical skills: –

Cryptography: an in-depth understanding of cryptographic concepts such as RSA algorithm, hash functions and digital signatures
Programming Languages: including programming concepts such as OOP concept (like Solidity) and languages such as Python, Java and C++
Databases and Networking: an excellent working knowledge will help you to understand fundamental concepts for blockchain development
Data Structures: blockchain developers design efficient and unalterable systems, so an understanding of hashing, binary trees, linked lists, etc., is essential
Web Design and Development Understanding: back end knowledge of creating a website can help with the development process of DApps, etc.

Foundational Understanding of Blockchain

There are many online courses and tutorials to help expand your knowledge of blockchain architecture and technology, such as distributed ledgers, consensus and hash functions. Moreover, knowledge of Bitcoin, decentralisation and public and private approaches may further assist your application for a blockchain developer job.

Study Cryptonomics

Cryptonomics means cryptography and economics combined. Studying cryptonomics helps you to understand the methodology and economics behind cryptocurrencies. Likewise, you’ll learn about the mechanism behind transaction lifecycles and fees, mining and much more about how it relates to economics.

Learn About Ethereum and DApps

Gain a background understanding of an open-source, decentralised blockchain network like Ethereum. Developers use Ethereum to securely and efficiently run smart protocols and develop DApps (distributed applications) and smart contracts.

There are alternative platforms to Ethereum, such as Hyperledger, but foundational knowledge of the Ethereum blockchain is certainly the preferred way to start.

Learn about Smart Contracts & Solidity

“A smart contract is a computer program or a transaction protocol which is intended to automatically execute, control or document legally relevant events and actions according to the terms of a contract or an agreement” (Wikipedia).

In simple terms, a smart contract is a digital contract stored on a blockchain. It’s developed with predetermined and immutable functions that, when the terms and conditions are aligned, is automatically executed.

Smart contracts work on three components: –

Deterministic
Terminable
Isolation

Solidity is an object-oriented programming (OOP) language created by the Ethereum team. It’s used to build and develop smart contracts for the Ethereum blockchain and other platforms to implement business logic to generate transaction record chains in the blockchain network.

Get Hands-On Experience

Nothing beats hands-on experience in blockchain development. Putting the theory into real-world use and becoming familiar with the tools, platforms, and technology significantly increase your proficiency and value as a blockchain developer.

If you’re starting at entry-level, numerous training courses, internships and grants are available to enable access to all the resources you need. There are also many online communities where you can connect with experienced blockchain developers and gain invaluable insight into a career.

Blockchain Developer Courses

If you want to learn how to Become a highly-paid Blockchain Developer from Scratch, several recognised certificated blockchain developer courses are available online to help you get started and add kudos to your resume:-

IBM Blockchain Certification

IBM has multiple free blockchain tutorials and resources, including the IBM SkillsBuild for Students-Blockchain Curriculum and Blockchain V2. IBM could be an excellent place to start learning if you’re looking for a blockchain developer entry-level job.
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Blockchain Training Alliance

The Blockchain Training Alliance has a wide range of self-paced learning courses available, including blockchain security, data science and blockchain, and IoT and blockchain course. The training is reasonably priced and there is an option to spread the cost over four payments and become a free member of the community of blockchain leaders.
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Blockchain Developer Salary Expectations

Salary rates vary depending on location and your experience. For instance, you may want to become a freelance blockchain developer and work on a contract. On the other hand, a company wants to hire blockchain developer, they’re typically looking for a candidate with experience who wants to grow within the role. However, if you are an experienced and talented freelance blockchain developer, it’s always worth submitting your resume with a targeted cover letter.

So, is blockchain development a good career move, and how much do blockchain developers earn?

The average salary for a blockchain developer in London is around £55,000 – £150k+. Similarly, in the United States, blockchain developer salaries range from $70,000 up to $200,000.

In addition, a blockchain developer entry-level salary is typically around £40,000 – £60,000. Meanwhile, freelance blockchain developers may charge an equivalent day rate or more, according to their experience level.

Starting a career as a blockchain developer can certainly be financially lucrative, with the average salary at around £80,000 in the UK. Still, remember that it takes a lot of studying, commitment and determination to attain a level of competence to get an entry-level job as a blockchain developer.

Conclusion: How to become a highly-paid blockchain developer

This guide has provided a roadmap of what it takes to become a blockchain developer. If you’re serious about pursuing a career in blockchain development, it will take a lot of hard work and commitment. However, for many, it has proven to be an exciting and rewarding career with plenty of scope for progression.

To sum up, as the demand for blockchain developers continues to grow, many excellent opportunities are available with some of the best companies in the world.

If you want to become a blockchain developer, get started today. Check the our jobs page and, in addition, when you are ready to secure a fantastic position, contact the CB recruitment team, attach your resume and let’s talk.

FAQs

What is blockchain development?

A blockchain is a decentralised digital ledger that securely records transactions. Developers work on blockchain development to cost-effectively improve security, transaction speed, interoperability and scalability.

How many blockchain developers are there?

According to data from Paybis.com, in 2018 there were an estimated 105,000 blockchain developers globally. Moreover, today’s figures are likely considerably higher as the demand for blockchain technologies increases.

Which blockchain has the most developers?

Ethereum has up to four times more developers than any other blockchain, with over 3,900 in 2021.

How easy is it to become a blockchain developer?

The answer depends on the context of the question. Moreover, if you are a beginner in blockchain development, gaining the prerequisite skills for an entry-level blockchain developer role could take a year or more.

If you are a qualified blockchain developer, all that’s required is for you to build an impressive resume, and we can place you in front of the right clients.

How Long does it Take to Become a Blockchain Developer?

The answer depends on what stage you are at when you begin. If you are a complete novice, you may need to work towards a relevant Bachelor’s or Master’s degree or commit. Alternatively, commit to as many certificated courses as possible. It also depends on your understanding of programming languages, blockchain technology, etc.

How much do blockchain developers make?

The average salary for a blockchain developer is £80,000, varying between £55,000 to over £150,000 depending on skills and experience.

About Author

Jan Barley

Jan is a SEO copywriter, brand advisor, content strategist & case study specialist writing for crypto, recruitment, and SaaS companies. Jan lives in the Cotswold's UK with two rescue dogs. Since 2020, Jan has written hundreds of SEO articles for various crypto companies including CB Recruitment & Coin Bureau.