PHP is one of the most ubiquitous programming languages ​​on the web. It's been around for a while, but it has the ability to stay mainstream. If your site is similar to most web sites running on Linux or WordPress, you may need a skilled PHP developer from time to time to update and maintain your codebase. Or, if you're starting from scratch, you might consider the LAMP stack, putting this dynamic backend language at the top of the list. You're not alone: ​​80% of websites on the web use PHP, and it has one of the largest developer talent pools to choose from. So how does hiring a PHP developer fit your project budget? What's the best way to estimate the cost of hiring a PHP developer? In this article, we'll examine several cost factors to consider when drafting a project description and reviewing proposals from potential PHP developers. Overview for PHP Developers PHP developers are often referred to simply as "backend engineers". They are able to take a customer's specification and turn it into a viable, tangible product that can run on a web server. PHP developers write functions that bring applications to life. They work with designers to ensure that front-end applications are attractive to users. You may find some PHP developers with front-end design skills, but typically they work with UI and UX designers to create an engaging user interface backed by solid back-end functionality. Step 1: Define Your PHP Requirements Before setting a budget, you need to understand your project requirements. Suppose you already have an existing application and want to add new functionality that requires an updated backend support. This is quite different from some customizations to a WordPress site. Alternatively, you may need long-term involvement from industry mailing list developers for a series of updates. It all comes down to what you need, the experience you need, and how fast you need to do it. The key here is to write a clear, detailed project description that potential developers can look at to determine if their skills and experience match, or if the project is something they are interested in. An experienced PHP developer can help you easily estimate your budget, as long as you provide as much detail as possible. Developers bidding on your project can better understand what needs to be done and make more accurate estimates. Cost Factor #1: Project Scope If you've written a project description, good news: you've addressed the first major cost factor by determining the overall scope of the project. The first variable to consider when scoping is the nature of the work that needs to be done . Not all PHP projects are created equal. There's a big difference in scope between writing some custom scripts for a WordPress site and writing a new social media application from scratch with an integrated API and database. If you need a PHP developer on hand to occasionally work on a ticket, that might require a different type of involvement. Time is another variable you must consider when scoping, as it will determine how you will handle milestone payments during the development phase (if you are dealing with a fixed price contract), or if you are paying hourly wages for the total cost of the project. The social media app project mentioned above might take months, while a few scripts to support some new front-end functionality might only take a few days. Tip: The more accurately your job description describes the scope of your project, the easier it will be for interested freelancers to provide you with accurate cost estimates and advice. Cost Factor #2: PHP Developer Experience PHP is one of the most widely used languages ​​on the web, so there is an extensive talent pool to choose from. This may mean that you need to be extra careful during the review and interview process to make sure you get a developer at the level you need. Choosing the right level of specialization for the job is closely related to how well you scope your project. For example, for simpler but time-consuming projects, you don't need an advanced PHP developer. Hire a freelancer with less experience who can write simple scripts for a low price that will get the job done and save you a lot of money. In addition to the level of experience, you also need to consider the type of experience the freelancer has . Just like any other field of development, PHP developers have a variety of skill sets and levels - specific frameworks (such as the Zend framework), APIs, and other technologies (such as Git, JavaScript, and MySQL) can influence what they can do for you, and fees they may charge. Advanced PHP experts often have a variety of other languages, which enables them to design complete applications from scratch. The table below breaks down the ratios of typical PHP developer types you can find on Upwork. Typical rates charged by PHP developers* PHP developer type describe average hourly wage Basic backend PHP Backend basics (RESTful API, Lambda functions). A database like MySQL. Content management systems such as WordPress. Technology stacks like LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP). $25-50+ Intermediate - Advanced In addition to the basics, proficient in backend server environments like AWS (Amazon Web Services) and one or more selected PHP frameworks like Laravel, Symfony or Cake. $50-100+ full stack developer Combination of front-end and back-end technical expertise. Expertise with Twig, Blade and ReactPHP. $75-100+ *Reflects what freelancers charge on Upwork in North America, with over 1,000 hours and a 90% success rate. Cost Factor #3: Where to Develop Talent Location is another variable that can affect the cost of a freelance developer. One of the great advantages of working with freelancers on Upwork is access to a global talent pool. It also means you can take advantage of the different costs of living around the world to get yourself a better deal on skilled freelancers. Cost Factor #4: Independent Contractors vs. Agents The last variable we want to discuss about the cost of freelancing is hiring an agency versus hiring an individual independent contractor. Agencies are often a "one size fits all" model, so you typically have access to designers, project managers, engineers, etc. If you're building a site from scratch with a PHP backend, you'll need more than that. You will need front-end developers, project managers, designers, etc. If you don't already have such talent in-house, then an agency will be a great solution. On the other hand, when hiring individual freelancers, you have complete autonomy over which freelancer is responsible for which part of the project, but you need to acquire each of these skills separately. The trade-off between hiring an individual versus hiring an agency is the level of administrative overhead you personally incur in coordinating tasks among all members of your team. Project scope and personal preference will determine which style is better suited to your needs. Cost-wise, agencies often have the resources to offer lower rates for medium to large projects. Small projects may still be within the confines of a decent individual contractor, but if you really know what you're doing, or are a business with the resources to handle overhead, you might be able to go beyond the agency by building your own pool of resources Institutions regardless of the size of the project, the number of talents. in conclusion Of course, these are just a few factors to consider when choosing a PHP developer for your project. To get a more complete estimate of developer costs, you'll need to discuss your project in detail with a talent who will be able to provide you with an approximate estimate of the work and time required to accomplish your goals.