A Ruby on Rails or RoR developer is tasked to write server-side web application logic using the Ruby on Rails Framework, which allows developers to work on tasks without too much coding. He or she specializes in building databases and providing technical support for organizations from various industries. As such, he or she usually works on backend components but also collaborates with frontend developers.

Other interesting terms…

Read More about a “Ruby on Rails Developer”

Many consider a Ruby on Rails developer as someone who grows alongside web application frameworks. Large organizations, such as SlideShare, Twitter, eBay, Hulu, and Scribd, are already harnessing the power of the Ruby on Rails Framework. As such, the demand for Ruby on Rails developers is expected to surge in the coming years. To enjoy the perks of being one, read on below.

What Does a Ruby on Rails Developer Do?

Ruby on Rails developers are usually tasked to:

  • Design, build, and manage reliable Ruby code
  • Incorporate data storage into existing solutions
  • Collaborate with frontend developers to integrate server-side logic
  • Work with different departments to develop workflows and solidify management practices
  • Determine bottlenecks and provide solutions to identified issues
  • Maintain the quality of code throughout
  • Manage application programming interfaces (APIs)
  • Create site improvement strategies focusing on repurposing obsolete sites

What Does It Take to Become a Ruby on Rails Developer and How Much Can You Make?

Education

Most employers require Ruby on Rails developers to have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or computer engineering. Getting certifications can also help one advance his or her career. Some of the worthy certifications to have are:

  • Complete Ruby on Rails Developer Course
  • Ruby on Rails Development Certification by John Hopkins University
  • Ruby on Rails Programming—Learning Path (LinkedIn Learning—Lynda)
  • Dynamic Web Applications with Santara—Ruby Web Development Fundamentals 
  • Ruby on Rails 4: Getting Started (Pluralsight)

Skills

A Ruby on Rails developer should know how to write clean Ruby code to land a job. He or she also needs substantial experience in working with Ruby on Rails and other libraries such as RSpec and Resque. Familiarity with using Git, GitHub, Mercurial, and SVN can also improve one’s chances of employment. 

Other tools to learn include BackboneJS, AngularJS, Model-View-Controller (MVC), RESTful, and object-relational mapping (ORM). Established understanding of server-side templating languages such as Slim and Liquid is also crucial to success.

Salary

Improving one’s skills can help a Ruby on Rails developer earn more. On average, a Ruby on Rails developer based in the U.S. can earn as much as US$78,642 annually.

Who Can Ruby on Rails Developers Get Inspiration From?

As with other programming languages, there are many experts that aspiring Ruby on Rails developers can learn from such as:

  1. Avdi Grimm: One of the veterans in Ruby on Rails, Grimm, contributed so much to the Ruby community. Grimm successfully created Ruby Tapas, a vast collection of Ruby-related screencasts. He is also one of the hosts of the Ruby Rouges podcast. His GitHub account also contains tons of Ruby contributions.
  2. Aaron Peterson: A well-known GitHub Ruby on Rails developer, Peterson maintains a blog, Ruby Tender Love Making, which contains loads of useful information about Ruby.
  3. David Heinemeier Hanssen: Hanssen created the Ruby on Rails Framework. Aspiring developers should read REWORK and REMOTE, two of his best-selling books.
  4. Karol Galanciak: Galanciak is a Ruby on Rails and Ember.js expert. He is into blogging from which newbies can learn many essential tricks of the trade. Those who want to improve their skills in writing tests in Amber should download his free book.
  5. Sandi Metz: Ruby on Rails developers can gain much insight by following Metz, a renowned speaker about the framework. Her book Practical Object-Oriented Design in Ruby has helped many developers improve their craft.

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To scale up, a Ruby on Rails developer must know how to collaborate and work on web applications creatively.

Key Takeaways

  • An RoR developer writes server-side web application logic using the RoR Framework, allowing him or her to do tasks without too much coding.
  • An RoR developer specializes in building databases and providing technical support for organizations from various industries.
  • While an RoR developer usually works on backend components, he or she also collaborates with frontend developers.
  • An RoR developer’s tasks include designing, building, and managing reliable Ruby code; incorporating data storage into existing solutions; and collaborating with frontend developers to integrate server-side logic, among many others.
  • Avdi Grimm, Aaron Peterson, David Heinemeier Hanssen, Karol Galanciak, and Sandi Metz are just a few RoR experts developers can look up to.