Is Learning Blockchain Worth It?

With the hype around blockchain technology, you may be wondering whether learning it is worth your time. After all, there are only so many hours in the day, and you want to make sure you’re spending your time wisely. 

The short answer is yes—learning blockchain is definitely worth your time. But why? Let’s take a closer look. 

Why Blockchain Is Important

First, it’s important to understand just why blockchain is such an important technology. In short, a blockchain is a distributed database. Transactions that occur on a blockchain are secure, transparent, and generally tamper-proof. That might not sound like much, but it is a really big deal.

Think about it this way—every day, we rely on central authorities to keep track of our transactions. Whether it’s a bank keeping track of our money or a government keeping track of our identity, we rely on these third parties to keep accurate records.

But what if there was a way to do away with central authorities altogether? That’s where blockchain comes in. 

By using a decentralized network of computers to confirm transactions and keep records, blockchain gets rid of the need for central authorities. This makes transactions even more secure and transparent.

And because blockchain is generally tamper-proof, it opens up all sorts of new possibilities for businesses and governments. 

Why You Should Learn Blockchain 

Now that you know a little bit about why blockchain is such an important technology, let’s take a look at the two main reasons why you should learn it.

Learning blockchain will give you a leg up in the job market

There are already thousands of companies looking for blockchain developers, and that number is only going to increase in the years to come.

So if you’re looking for a way to boost your career or earn some extra money, learning blockchain is a great place to start. 

Learning blockchain can help you become a better developer overall

Blockchain is a complex technology, which means there’s always something new to learn.

By diving into the world of blockchain, you’ll challenge yourself and come out as a better developer for it. 

But if you’re on the fence about whether learning blockchain is worth your time, check out the training library and other resources from 101 Blockchains.

What Are the Most Important Skills for Blockchain Developers?

There are 8 in-demand skills that blockchain developers must have to be successful. These skills include:

1. Data Structures and Algorithms 

Data structures and algorithms are the foundation of computer science.

As a blockchain developer, you should be able to design and implement data structures and algorithms that are optimized for performance and security.

2. Web Development 

Blockchain applications are built on top of web applications.

As a blockchain developer, you should have strong web development skills so that you can build user-friendly applications.

3. Smart Contract Development

Smart contracts are becoming increasingly popular for a wide range of transactions, from financial contracts to real estate contracts.

If you want to be a successful blockchain developer, you need to be able to develop smart contracts.

4. Solidity 

Solidity is a programming language for developing smart contracts on Ethereum.

As a blockchain developer, you should be able to write Solidity code that is secure and efficient.

5. Blockchain Security

Blockchain security is essential for ensuring the safety of digital assets and transactions.

To become a blockchain security expert, you need to have a strong understanding of both mathematics and computer science.

6. dApp Development

Decentralized applications (dApps) are blockchain-based apps. Most developers are building their dApps on Ethereum today, but you can use other blockchain platforms.

If you’re looking to become a dApp developer, you need to have both front-end and back-end development skills.

7. Cryptocurrency Development

Cryptocurrencies are digital assets that use cryptography to secure their transactions. Cryptocurrencies are built on top of blockchain technology and can be used to purchase goods and services or traded on cryptocurrency exchanges.

If you want to become a cryptocurrency developer, you need to have a strong understanding of both cryptography and blockchain technology. 

8. Cryptography

Cryptography is the practice of secure communication in the presence of third parties. It is a critical component of blockchain security.

As a blockchain developer, you should be proficient in cryptographic algorithms and protocols such as hashing, digital signatures, and encryption.

How Do You Become a Blockchain Developer?

So, you want to be a blockchain developer? Great!

The blockchain industry is growing at an incredible rate, and there is a lot of opportunity for developers with the right skills.

But what exactly are the right skills? And how do you acquire them?

Here are the 5 steps you need to take to become a successful blockchain developer:

1. Learn the Fundamentals

If you’re interested in becoming a blockchain developer, the first step is to learn the basics.

Blockchain is a complex technology, so you’ll need to have a strong understanding of computer science concepts like data structures, algorithms, cryptography, software design, and networking.

If you don’t have a strong foundation in these areas, you will likely struggle as a blockchain developer.

Luckily, there are plenty of resources available online that can help you brush up on these topics. We suggest checking out the courses and other resources from 101 Blockchains.

Once you’ve got a handle on the basics, you can move on to learning more specific blockchain development skills. 

2. Choose a Development Platform

There are two main types of blockchain development platforms: permissionless and permissioned.

Permissionless blockchains like Bitcoin and Ethereum allow anyone to join the network and contribute to the development of the platform.

Permissioned blockchains, on the other hand, require developers to be invited or approved by an authority before they can contribute. 

The type of platform you choose will depend on your specific goals and interests. If you want to work on developing groundbreaking new applications, a permissionless platform like Ethereum may be the right fit for you.

However, if you’re more interested in developing enterprise-grade applications for large organizations, a permissioned platform like Hyperledger Fabric may be a better option. 

3. Join or Create a Development Team

Once you’ve chosen a development platform, it’s time to join or create a development team.

Working with other developers will give you the chance to collaborate on projects, learn from each other, and get feedback on your work.

If there aren’t any existing teams working on the platform you’re interested in, don’t worry—you can always start your own! 

4. Start Developing

Now that you’ve joined or created a development team, it’s time to start coding!

Begin by contributing to existing projects or starting new ones from scratch. As you gain experience, take on more responsibility within your team and start leading projects of your own.

Remember to document your code well so that other developers can understand and use it easily. 

5. Stay Motivated

Becoming a blockchain developer is not an easy task. It requires dedication and hard work.

However, if you’re passionate about this cutting-edge technology and willing to put in the hours to learn it, then there’s no reason why you can’t be successful in this rapidly growing industry!

How Long Does It Take to Become a Blockchain Developer? 

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. It can vary depending on your skill set and level of expertise.

However, if you’re starting from scratch, it could take anywhere from 6 months to 3 years to become a blockchain developer.

That said, some people may be able to pick up the basics more quickly than others. It’s important to stay motivated and continue learning as much as you can.

There are plenty of online resources available for those who want to get started in blockchain development. We suggest checking out the courses and certificate programs from 101 Blockchains.

What Is the Average Salary for a Blockchain Developer?

Blockchain developers are in high demand these days, as companies from a variety of industries race to find new and innovative ways to use this game-changing technology.

But what does that mean for the average blockchain developer’s salary? Let’s take a look.

The short answer is that blockchain developers are among the highest-paid developers in the world.

As of 2022, the average salary for a blockchain developer in the United States was around $102,000 per year, according to Glassdoor. That’s almost double the national average for all other occupations!

However, salaries for blockchain developers can vary widely depending on experience, location, and other factors.

For example, developers with experience in big data or cloud computing can expect to earn at the higher end of the salary range.

Meanwhile, developers in smaller companies or startups may earn on the lower end of the salary range.

Unsurprisingly, salaries for blockchain developers are highest in San Francisco and New York City. So if you’re looking to maximize your earnings as a blockchain developer, these are some of the best cities to live and work.

Overall, it’s clear that blockchain developers are in high demand and can command high salaries as a result.

However, it’s important to consider all factors when deciding on your career path, not just salary. Job satisfaction is also important. According to many recent surveys, most blockchain developers seem to be satisfied with their jobs.

Final Thoughts

Becoming a blockchain developer is not as difficult as it may seem at first. With the right resources and some dedication, you can be well on your way to success in this rapidly growing field.

We hope this article helped you understand what it takes to become a blockchain developer. If you’re interested in learning more, we suggest taking a course or certificate program from 101 Blockchains. They will give you the skills and knowledge you need to succeed as a blockchain developer.

So what are you waiting for? Start learning today!