Is It Really Possible To Get a Job With Only HTML and CSS?

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Attempting to break into the workforce is a daunting task for anyone, but it can be doubly daunting if you don’t think you possess the required skills. Thankfully, I’m here to help clear up whether it’s possible to get a job with only HTML and CSS.

It is possible to get a job with only HTML and CSS. Unfortunately, the pay for work with only HTML and CSS may be lower than the pay with adding more skills, like Java. However, there is still plenty of work for only HTML and CSS to earn money while continuing education.

Now that we know there’s work for you out there, let’s dive deeper into finding work with only HTML and CSS. A few topics I’ll explore further in this article are what kind of jobs you can get with only HTML and CSS, freelancing with HTML and CSS, and what you should learn to grow your job prospects.

What Kind of Jobs Can I Get With Only HTML and CSS?

You will find jobs with only HTML and CSS will typically be entry-level junior programmer positions. A popular position for only HTML and CSS is an email developer. Email development doesn’t require programming outside HTML and CSS, and email developers are currently in demand.

I did a little search on Indeed for HTML and CSS and found over 37,000 job postings at the time of writing this article! Therefore, you have plenty of potential job prospects.

Most of the jobs on Indeed are entry-level junior programmer positions, which is great news if you’re new to the programming job market. While the pay may not be extravagant compared to other programming positions, these entry-level positions give you the chance to sharpen your programming skills while getting paid.

Why Is It Hard To Find a Job With Only HTML and CSS?

It might be hard to find a job with only HTML and CSS because they are also highly competitive skills. HTML and CSS are the foundation of a successful programming career. Therefore, many programmers are competing for the same HTML and CSS jobs as you.

Can I Freelance With Only HTML and CSS?

You can freelance with only HTML and CSS. Freelancing is a viable option for programmers who only know HTML and CSS because you can take on smaller projects that only require HTML and CSS.

The ability to take on smaller projects with freelancing makes earning money with only HTML and CSS more accessible.

Employers may be unwilling to hire a full-time employee with only HTML and CSS skills. However, a freelance client will be more likely to hire someone with only HTML and CSS because they are making a smaller commitment.

What Freelance Positions Only Require HTML and CSS?

Here are some freelance positions that only require HTML and CSS:

  • Email development
  • Building simple websites (online portfolios, basic blogs, resumes)
  • Building simple online stores
  • Customizing WordPress templates

A great place to start looking for your first freelancing gig is Upwork. Upwork is one of the most popular freelance databases on the internet, so it is where most potential employers will look.

For more info on succeeding on Upwork, check out Side Hustle Nation’s article and podcast on being a successful freelancer.

What Else Can I Learn To Get More Job Prospects?

To get more job prospects, you can learn basic JavaScript. Most job postings you’ll see with HTML and CSS will also require knowledge of JavaScript. On top of basic JavaScript, you should learn to build user interfaces.

A few popular building blocks to add to your JavaScript knowledge are as follows:

  • React: React is a JavaScript library that specializes in building single-page user interfaces. Building single-page user interfaces is an in-demand skill for mobile apps and web development.
  • Angular: Angular is similar to React but focuses more on scalability. Angular is the better option if you want to work with enterprise-grade applications.
  • Vue: Vue is the mom-and-pop alternative to React and Angular. React is run by Meta, and Google runs Angular. Vue was developed and still run by Evan You.

How To Learn JavaScript With Online Courses

Thanks to the internet, learning is easier than ever! JavaScript is no exception. There are loads of online courses you can use to learn JavaScript from the comfort of your own home.

Here are three free online JavaScript courses:

  • Free Code Camp: Free Code Camp offers a free online class in JavaScript that you can learn right in your browser! There are dozens of bite-sized lessons ranging from the basics like commenting to more advanced actions like manipulating complex objects.
  • Khan Academy: Khan Academy has an online JavaScript course with some more features than Free Code Camp’s course. Khan Academy incorporates educational videos in every lesson for visual and auditory learners.
  • Mozilla Development Network: The third free JavaScript course I recommend you look at is Mozilla Development Network JavaScript Guide. Mozilla Development Network’s approach is akin to a textbook rather than an interactive course, unlike the other two listed above.

How To Learn JavaScript With Books

Another popular self-guided method to learn JavaScript is through good old-fashioned books. Here are three popular books for learning JavaScript:

  • Coding with JavaScript for Dummies (available on Amazon): The Dummies series of books is a tried and true written learning method. The authors of the Dummies series of books have a knack for explaining complex topics in simple terms.
  • Javascript.info: Javascript.info is a free online textbook, and it’s the holy grail of learning JavaScript. The information in this online textbook comes directly from the JavaScript team, so you know you’re getting the best possible information.
  • Eloquent JavaScript (available on Amazon): Eloquent JavaScript is another fantastic resource that distills the information down into easy-to-understand text. Another bonus of Eloquent JavaScript is that you can access the e-book for free online.

How To Learn JavaScript With Coding Boot Camps

The final method of learning JavaScript I’d like to touch on is through coding boot camps. Coding boot camps are probably the most efficient way you can learn JavaScript.

I know what you’re thinking; what is a coding boot camp? A coding Bootcamp is an intensive course which teaches students a job-ready skill in a short amount of time.

There are some pros and cons to coding boot camps I’ll jump into, so you can better grasp whether coding boot camps are right for you!

Pros of Coding Boot Camps

  • Learn JavaScript quickly: A full-time coding boot camp will get you proficient in JavaScript in 17 weeks, equivalent to about one semester of a college programming program.
  • Access to a knowledgeable instructor: The information you can learn from someone more experienced than you can not be quantified. Coding boot camps offer you this information through an instructor, which you won’t get from a book or online course.
  • Accountability: When it comes to acquiring new skills, accountability is key. At a coding boot camp, you have accountability from your peers and instructor.

Cons of Coding Boot Camps

  • Price: You simply can’t beat free. There are plenty of free books and courses online to learn JavaScript, but there are no free coding boot camps.
  • Flexibility: Coding boot camps happen at scheduled times and are often taught in person. You can make your educational schedule to suit your needs with online resources.

Five Other Skills To Learn

Learning JavaScript, as well as one of the above-listed applications, will grow your job prospects significantly! However, after reading through dozens of job postings, I’ve found some other in-demand skills to add to your HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

Here are five more programs you can learn to further your job prospects:

  • Illustrator
  • Photoshop
  • JQuery
  • C
  • C++

While the above skills are required for plenty of work, JavaScript should be your number one priority. Most of the jobs I found in my research only required HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

Final Thoughts

It is conceivable to find work with only HTML and CSS. However, you’ll be fighting an uphill battle.

HTML and CSS are in-demand and highly competitive, so you’ll be competing with dozens and sometimes hundreds of other applicants for each position you apply for. Therefore, the best course of action is to add JavaScript to your skill stack.

Thankfully, learning JavaScript has never been more accessible with many online courses, books, and in-person or online coding boot camps!

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