PHP Programmer as a career?

I think this is the best place to ask this question. I am working in a non-technical side for few years. But I always want to switch to programming side. I thought of doing a course in PHP and develop my career as PHP programmer. In India, how hot is this career?. Can a newbie get job easily?

I have seen salary survey for PHP Programmer, where the survey results show that PHP developer only get Rs.100000 to Rs250000 per annum for 0 to 4 experience. This salary range is comparatively low when compared to other programming jobs. Experienced programmers here please help me by giving suggestions to develop my career .

 

PHP has evolved into one of the most or even the most popular scripting language for websites.
Thus, the demand for work is very high, so definitely there is work if you go into PHP. For the salary I'm not sure, but I'd say it goes in the low-middle paying rank.
Also, you don't actually do "programming" in PHP, you do "coding", just to point out the difference.
I'd say if you want to get paid well and get a job easly... Start programming, in Java. The demand for it is very huge, its being advertised all over, popularity is growing rapidly.

 

Why only PHP? Why don't you expand your portfolio to 10 or more languages? It's possible, you know.

Here's something you need to understand before going into this kind of career. This field is a fast-paced world, everything moves so fast. You need to adopt fast or you'll be left behind.

Learn the basics of programming first; different data types, logic control structures, basic operators, functions (passing and returning values), arrays, objects and more. Do that and you'll be able to easily learn any languages you want.

 

I learned the basics long ago. I learned C,C++,Java as a student, but nothing in depth as a true programmer. So I want to concentrate in PHP and make career in it. I need your opinion about whether I made the right choice.
Also to become a PHP programmer, do we need to know CSS and MYSQL?. I know HTML and XML but not CSS. I am planning to do OCA certification also.

 

Ahhh I see. You know what, I'd say go for it! Yes, mySQL is a must, CSS is also a must - it's easy concept, it shouldn't be hard. Javascript+jQuery is also a must.

 

It all depends on how good you are at it. If you are one of the best at php you can make tons of money.

 

Some says programmer are the poor souls. They do the hard work but the business men who benefits.

 

Learn PHP among other languages and learn how to managed outsourced programmers.