Blockchain is redefining what’s to come for web technologies, carrying a herculean promise to democratize the web. But there continues to be a shortage of software developers, many of whom are boxed out of the profession by credentialism and antiquated resume practices, especially if they’re self-taught. Stack Overflow’s latest developer survey found that 82 percent of its 65,000 respondents use videos, blogs and other online resources to learn to code.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming a Blockchain Developer
- Understand blockchain fundamentals
- Learn blockchain developer skills
- Learn about decentralized applications
- Get certified
- Learn about cryptoeconomics
- Acquire hands-on experience
Whether you’re a software developer looking to upskill your way into Web3 or an aspiring coder fresh to the tech scene, blockchain could be a viable route to consider for your next career move. Blockchain developers are not only changing enterprise across industries, they’re also reinventing the infrastructure of the internet.
What Is a Blockchain?
A blockchain is a digital ledger that records transactions completed across a peer-to-peer network of computers. Data is recorded and stored in individual blocks, which are encrypted and organized in chronological order. This keeps transactions secure and makes it easier to track and verify the ownership of digital assets.
Blockchain technology is decentralized by nature, meaning each computer within a peer-to-peer network helps update and verify data on the blockchain. However, the data itself cannot be changed once it is added. As a result, no central authority controls a blockchain, but there are still clear protocols in place to protect all users and their information.
What Is Blockchain Development?
Blockchain development refers to the process of building and deploying blockchains. This involves adding and arranging data into individual blocks, securing each block with hashing methods and connecting the blocks. Depending on the purpose of the blockchain, developers may also need to implement smart contracts and consensus mechanisms like proof of work or proof of stake to regulate blockchain interactions.
Although blockchain is often associated with cryptocurrency, hosting digital asset platforms is just one of the many applications made possible via immutable, public ledgers. Blockchain technology can be used to cut costs for global transactions, restore accountability in supply chains and food operations, reduce fraud in retail, increase scalability in real estate and streamline procedures in healthcare settings.
What Is a Blockchain Developer?
Blockchain developers are software developers who specialize in decentralized technology. They build applications based on blockchain protocol architecture, managing all front-end and back-end design, development and maintenance.
Programmers looking to break into this field require a certain level of knowledge, aptitude and experience. But the exact credentials can vary depending on the type of blockchain development.
What Does a Blockchain Developer Do?
Blockchain developers can be divided into two categories — core and software — which are distinguished by their roles and responsibilities.
Core Blockchain Developer
Core blockchain developers architect and maintain the foundational framework of a blockchain system. This is done by coding a consensus protocol at the “core” of the distributed ledger, establishing its design and executive functionality. Simply speaking, it serves as the skeleton for which add-ons interface and are built upon.
Core blockchain developers supervise the network and establish security patterns.
Blockchain Software Developer
Using the protocols implemented by core developers, blockchain software developers create applications, from front end to back end, that will run on the blockchain platform. Applications come in both web and decentralized varieties, the latter being commonly referred to as dApps.
These tech experts are responsible for developing smart contracts — self-executing, peer-to-peer documentation that secures agreed terms and conditions between two users in code and is a signature to blockchain technology.
Blockchain Developer Salary and Job Outlook
The average base salary for blockchain developers is just over $127K, with the highest earners making as much as $245K. And the earning potential for blockchain developers may go up as the blockchain industry expands. According to Grand View Research, the global blockchain market is expected to soar from $57.2 billion in 2025 to $1,431.54 billion in 2030, promising more opportunities in blockchain.
On a broader level, blockchain is on the rise again after some ups and downs, with the Trump administration investing in a crypto-friendly strategy. The push by the president to deregulate crypto could make blockchain developers even more valuable for maintaining the platforms and applications needed to support a crypto expansion.
How to Become a Blockchain Developer: A Step-by-Step Guide
The blockchain industry is still evolving, with the job landscape constantly shifting and presenting new career paths. Whatever the path, keep in mind that it will look different for everyone.
1. Understand Blockchain Fundamentals
Take the time to understand the basics of blockchain technology before trying to build upon them. Concepts such as consensus mechanisms, hash functions, decentralization and private versus public approaches are a few topical avenues to read up on before diving into the back end.
Resources — tutorials, books, training and so on — can be found on and offline. Consider subscribing to programming-oriented YouTube channels, keeping tabs on tech blogs and opting into newsletters to stay up to date on the evolving field.
FreeCodeCamp.org offers thousands of hours of hands-on programming practice as part of its curriculum, complete with certification programs and a YouTube Channel. Online learning resource Dapp University specializes in blockchain developer content, fixed to developing decentralized applications on the Ethereum platform. Developers-to-be can also sign up for Dapp University’s free training bootcamp.
2. Learn Blockchain Developer Skills
Learning the languages that run blockchain domains is a prerequisite to writing them, of course. Here are some coding skills blockchain developers are expected to know:
- Programming: Knowing how to create a set of instructions for an application to follow is fundamental to a developer’s toolkit. Blockchain is predicated on cybersecurity, so the success of blockchain developers depends on their ability to write hack-proof code.
- Programming languages: Learn the most commonly used languages to create blockchain domains like Java, C++, Solidity and Python. Honorable mentions include JavaScript, Scala, Simplicity, Ruby, Go, Rholang, Rust and PHP.
- Data structures: Blockchain is essentially a database, so developers must know how to organize and store data to construct immutable, efficient systems. Tools such as linked lists, binary trees, heap, hashing and graph algorithms help execute these protocols.
- Databases and networking: Understanding the mechanism of distributed ledgers and network topologies is a must in creating peer-to-peer systems.
- Cryptography: The blocks in a blockchain are linked together by encryption, a method of systems and protocols that prevents third-party access to information. In blockchain, it’s commonly seen in two forms: asymmetric-key algorithms and hash functions. Encoding digital security measures, such as block ciphers, message integrity and authenticated encryption, is integral to the job.
- Smart contracts: The self-executing, programmable contracts include the protocols that automate transactions, eliminating the need for interference of an intermediary. Programmers can develop smart contract protocols on platforms such as Solidity, Hyperledger, Corda and Ethereum, to name a few.
- Blockchain protocols: Currently, there are four types of blockchain architectures: public, private, consortium and hybrid. Developing the know-how and purpose behind each one will lend career focus.
3. Learn About Decentralized Applications
Decentralized applications (dApps) operate autonomously on top of open-source, distributed ledger platforms. Functionality is automated through the use of smart contracts.
The most widely used blockchain network backing the majority of today’s Web3 applications is Ethereum. In addition to facilitating the trade of ETH, the network’s native cryptocurrency, Ethereum hosts a software platform dubbed the Ethereum Virtual Machine, a sandbox where blockchain developers try their hand at creating dApps.
EVM’s versatility, iron-clad security and rich ecosystem of tools and resources make it a popular choice among blockchain developers and a leader in dApp software development. For newbie blockchain developers just getting started, Dapp University offers a video tutorial walkthrough on how to build dApps using Ethereum.
Popular alternatives to Ethereum include EOS and Hyperledger.
4. Get Certified
A typical journey for an entry-level blockchain developer begins with a formal, four-year degree in computer science or information security. Related fields, such as mathematics and engineering, can also set a student up for success. The most important aspect to cover here is obtaining both a developer’s skill set as well as the foundational knowledge of blockchain and basic cryptocurrency concepts.
As ranked by CoinDesk, some of the top universities for studying blockchain technology include The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, National University of Singapore, University of Zurich and University of California-Berkeley.
Although the majority of companies still list bachelor’s degrees as a minimum requirement, many employers have chosen to instead prioritize skills in their hiring practices. The necessary skills to become a blockchain developer can also be acquired by enrolling in coding bootcamps or registering through online programs, which pack learning into a span of anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. Blockchain developer courses and certifications — with or without a degree — can also help strengthen a candidate’s position in the hiring pool.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Blockchain Developer?
Depending on one’s existing skill set, it can take up to three months to three years, according to Software Testing Help, a portal for professional developers. For those starting from scratch and opting for a formal degree, it can take up to five years, according to tech career resource center Computer Science Hero.
5. Learn About Cryptoeconomics
The portmanteau refers to the combination of cryptography and economics to manage functions of a network, primarily focused on how to fund, design, develop and facilitate the operations of decentralized finance (DeFi) systems. Familiarity with these platforms is central to blockchain development as they are some of the most commonly used applications in the field.
In fact, crypto and economics have gone hand-in-hand since the beginnings of blockchain. Satoshi Nakamoto’s contribution to the field — Bitcoin — is widely recognized as the first known proof of concept of blockchain technology, which went live on January 3, 2009, after its genesis block was mined.
Breaking news crypto platform Coindesk hosts an assortment of newsletters to stay in the loop on changes in the digital asset market while sites such as CoinGecko and CoinMarketCap track the top-performing coins in real time. For non-fungible tokens (NFTs), check out Cryptoslam.
6. Acquire Hands-On Experience
Developers-in-the-making can practice their skills at hackathon events, where programmers of all disciplines collaborate intensively on a software project. This typically involves designing a functioning software system from top-down within a time limit.
Devpost, self-ascribed as “the home for blockchain hackathons,” posts online and in-person events, including the prize amount for top finishers. Notable examples include ETHDenver BUIDLathon, Solana Summer Camp and ETHOnline.
Practice labs, commonly referred to as “sandboxes,” offer a place to experiment with code within a contained, safe environment without impacting live sites. They can take the shape of a standalone, in-browser page or sidebar feature accompanying a virtual classroom, promoting a live learning experience by allowing the students to test code in real time.
Immersive learning experiences can be found on sites such as PluralSight, Skillsoft or CBT Nuggets. Alternatively, novice developers may want to start with collaborative projects, in likeness to a shared file on Google Docs, using online-code editing applications and prototyping tools like CodeSandbox.
Developing side projects allows tech newbies to dip their toes into programming in a low-stakes environment. The first step is to decide which language to code in, then start slow by either finding a problem that can be fixed with code or copying a preexisting idea and making it your own. Courses offered by Simplilearn contain interactive projects — complete with a readily available teaching assistant and an auto-generated results report — that prompt programming students with detailed problems requiring coded solutions.
Starting even smaller, community sites like GitHub allow developers to contribute to open-source projects in need of assistance. The site also serves as an online portfolio of sorts, authenticating a user’s work experience with each submitted project.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is needed to be a blockchain developer?
Blockchain developers need to have a strong understanding of basic concepts like decentralization, consensus mechanisms and hashing. They also need to master areas like programming, data structures and cryptography. While many developers gain this knowledge through a formal four-year degree in computer science or a related field, it’s possible to gain the necessary skills through bootcamps, tutorials and other online resources.
How long does it take to become a blockchain developer?
It depends on one’s experience, skill set and professional development path. Going down the bootcamp and online training route, it can take anywhere from a few months to a few years. Those who choose to pursue a formal degree can expect it to take four to five years to become a blockchain developer.
Is blockchain a high-paying job?
Yes, blockchain is a high-paying job for developers. While the average base salary for blockchain developers is around $127K, the maximum salary can reach $245K.
How do I become a certified blockchain developer?
Aspiring blockchain developers can enroll in coding bootcamps, online blockchain courses and certification programs to acquire the skills and credentials needed to land a job in blockchain development.
Is blockchain hard to learn?
Blockchain development takes time and practice to learn, but those who want to be blockchain developers have many resources at their disposal. Besides formal bachelor’s degree programs, aspiring developers can learn the skills and concepts necessary for blockchain roles through online courses, bootcamps, training programs and other digital resources.
