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Get matched with vetted talent
We handpick top candidates who are pre-vetted for technical skills, remote readiness, and who meet the requirements you set.
Interview & choose your match
Review candidate profiles, ask questions, or schedule interviews. You stay in control of the final decision.
Start working, risk-free
Once you’re ready, kick off the collaboration. With our Managed Hire full-time model, you get a 30-day risk-free trial.
Why hire PHP developer via FatCat Remote
Fast & accurate matching
We’ll match you with vetted PHP developer that suits your requirements. It typically takes 2 working days, allowing you to focus on growth instead of hiring.
Vetted experts
Our rigorous vetting process combines Advanced AI assessments with expert human evaluation to ensure only top talent makes it through.
Anytime replacement
Our 30-day trial lets you work with experts before a longer-term commitment. Plus, cancel or replace the talent anytime without fee.
Talent management
We handle everything from contracts and compliance to payments and performance tracking, allowing you to focus on your project.
Find experts with related skills
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Hiring the Best PHP Developers in 2025: A Step-by-Step Guide
If you're looking to hire PHP developers or hire remote PHP developers in 2025, you're not alone. PHP remains a powerful backend language that powers over 75% of the web—including major platforms like WordPress, Magento, and Laravel-based applications. Whether you're launching an e-commerce platform or need custom backend APIs, this guide will help you attract, evaluate, and hire top-tier PHP talent.
1. Why Hire PHP Developers?
PHP continues to be a go-to backend technology for startups and enterprises alike due to its flexibility, speed of development, and vast ecosystem. It’s ideal for projects that require fast iteration, CMS customization, or scalable web solutions.
Common Business Use Cases For PHP
Web Applications: Secure and scalable apps built with Laravel or Symfony.
E-Commerce: Magento, WooCommerce, and other PHP-based platforms.
Content Management Systems: Custom WordPress solutions.
APIs and Backend Services: Fast backend solutions using RESTful APIs.
Hiring skilled PHP developers can significantly reduce time-to-market, improve code maintainability, and increase overall software stability.
Keywords to remember: hire PHP developers, remote PHP developers, PHP developer for hire.
2. Understanding the PHP Developer Role
What Does a PHP Developer Do?
PHP developers write, test, and maintain server-side code. Their tasks may range from integrating databases and building APIs to customizing CMS platforms or working on microservices architecture. A great PHP developer will also understand front-end basics, DevOps workflows, and security best practices.
Common Roles
Backend Developer (PHP): API development, REST integrations, security.
CMS Developer: WordPress, Drupal, Joomla.
E-commerce Developer: Magento, WooCommerce.
Experience Levels
LevelExperienceCore ResponsibilitiesAutonomy
Junior PHP Developer
0-2 years
Assist in coding tasks, bug fixes, and basic features.
Requires supervision.
Mid-Level PHP Developer
2-5 years
Develop features, manage databases, follow MVC architecture.
Moderate independence.
Senior PHP Developer
5+ years
Lead architecture, mentor juniors, ensure scalability/security.
Operates autonomously.
3. Must-Have Technical PHP Skills
Before you hire a PHP developer, ensure they possess the right mix of hard and soft skills for your tech stack and team culture.
Core PHP Language Knowledge
PHP developers must have a solid grasp of the PHP syntax, functions, error handling, and object-oriented programming (OOP). Familiarity with newer versions (PHP 8+) is a strong indicator of up-to-date knowledge. Discover how PHP 8 is enhancing web development efficiency.
PHP Frameworks
Laravel: The most popular modern PHP framework that offers elegant syntax, built-in security, and great community support. It's ideal for building scalable and well-structured web applications.
Symfony: Known for flexibility and robustness, ideal for enterprise-grade applications with complex architecture needs.
CodeIgniter: A lightweight and fast PHP framework that’s great for simple, performance-focused applications.
PHP Tools
Composer: The dependency manager for PHP projects. It helps developers handle external packages and libraries efficiently.
Xdebug: A powerful tool for step-debugging and performance profiling. It helps developers identify bottlenecks and logic errors.
PHPUnit: A testing framework that ensures high-quality, test-driven development practices in PHP environments.
PHP Libraries
Monolog: A logging library that integrates with most frameworks. It enables centralized logging for better observability.
Guzzle: A robust HTTP client for PHP, used for API integrations and web service communication.
Testing and Debugging
Developers should be comfortable writing unit, integration, and functional tests using PHPUnit. Debugging with tools like Xdebug helps track down issues and optimize performance before deployment.
Version Control
Knowledge of Git is critical. Developers should understand branching strategies, pull request workflows, and version control best practices for collaborative development.
Soft Skills
Communication: Ability to articulate technical solutions to non-technical stakeholders.
Problem Solving: Creative approach to solving bugs and system design challenges.
Teamwork: Collaborative mindset that contributes to team success.
Accountability: Owns outcomes and handles feedback professionally.
Adaptability: Willingness to embrace changing tools and project scopes.
👉 Read more:
4. Freelance vs. Full-Time vs. Agency: Which Hiring Model Works?
Choosing the right hiring model depends on your project size, urgency, and budget.
PHP Freelancer
✅ Flexible and affordable.
❌ May lack long-term commitment or structured delivery.
Full-Time PHP Developer
✅ Deep product knowledge, cultural alignment.
❌ Slower hiring cycle, higher HR/legal burden.
PHP Developer hired from FatCat Remote
✅ Vetted developers, rapid matching, legal/admin taken care of, and 30-day trial.
❌ CET; UTC+01:00 timezone
Use Case Guide:
Short MVP or side projects → Freelancers.
Scaling tech team or long-term product → Full-time or FatCat Remote.
Urgent need for pre-vetted talent → FatCat Remote.
5. Where to Find PHP Developers
Take a look at the best sites to find and hire PHP Developers:
Hiring Platforms
The best platforms for hiring reliable freelance PHP programmers in 2025 are those that combine a large talent pool with strong vetting processes and transparent client reviews. Here are the top options, each with distinct strengths: Toptal, FatCat Remote, Fiverr.
LinkedIn, GitHub
Best for mid to long-term contracts
Stack Overflow
Developer-focused job listings
PHP.org/Jobs
Niche community with PHP specialists
Pro Tips:
Attend PHP conferences and meetups.
Ask for referrals from devs in your network.
Look at active contributors on GitHub or Stack Overflow.
6. Screening & Interviewing PHP Developers
Go beyond resumes by testing both real-world coding and communication.
Technical Questions
What are the differences between Laravel and Symfony?
How does PHP handle memory management?
How do you implement security measures (e.g., SQL injection prevention)?
Can you explain MVC architecture in PHP?
What is the role of Composer in a PHP project?
Soft Skills Questions
How do you explain technical issues to non-technical stakeholders?
Describe a time you disagreed with a teammate—how was it resolved?
How do you prioritize tasks under pressure?
Situational Questions
How would you debug a critical issue on a live server?
A client asks for an urgent last-minute feature—how do you respond?
You’re blocked waiting for a third-party API. What’s your process?
📘 Must-read:
7. PHP Developer Salaries in 2025
In 2025, PHP developer salaries vary by country, experience, and sector. Here are the latest figures from major markets:
United States
Average annual salary: $102,000–$107,000
Hourly rate: $59–$120
Typical range: $83,000 (25th percentile) to $115,500 (75th percentile)
Top earners (90th percentile): Up to $131,000–$136,000
Entry-level: $82,500
Experienced: Up to $133,938
United Kingdom
Median annual salary: £42,500
Range: £25,000 (10th percentile) to £68,250 (90th percentile)
London salaries are typically higher than the national median
Serbia
Average annual salary: 30,000 EUR for full-time mid to senior full time employees
Hourly rate: $40–$70
Key factors influencing salary include experience, location, company size, and specialization in frameworks. US salaries remain among the highest globally, with Western Europe and tech-focused regions following closely.
Read more about Software Developer Hourly Rates Comparison
8. Why Hire PHP Developers With FatCat Remote
Hiring with FatCat Remote means skipping the hassle and getting reliable results fast. You can hire PHP developers with a trial and in couple of days.
Why Teams Choose Us:
✅ 48-hour developer matching
✅ Vetted medior/senior developers only
✅ 30-day trial
✅ Full legal/admin support for global hiring
✅ Flexible team scaling—no long-term lock-in
FatCat Remote is trusted by tech startups and growing product teams that can’t afford hiring mistakes.
Ready to hire? Talk to FatCat Remote and scale your dev team risk-free.
Why wait? Hire PHP developers now!
Our work-proven PHP developers are ready to join your remote team today. Choose the one that fits your needs and start a 30-day trial.
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FAQ
Have a question?
Read answers to the most common questions about hiring PHP developers.
The cost to hire a PHP developer can vary based on several factors, such as their experience, location, and the complexity of your project. FatCat Remote offers flexible pricing options tailored to your needs, ensuring you get top-quality talent without breaking the bank.
PHP is still widely used, particularly for web development. It powers a significant portion of the web, including popular content management systems like WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal. Despite the rise of newer languages and frameworks, PHP remains a dominant server-side language, with around 77.5% of websites using it. Its ease of use, extensive libraries, and strong community support contribute to its continued popularity, especially for developing dynamic websites and applications.
At FatCat Remote, we make the process of hiring a skilled PHP developer seamless and efficient. Here’s how you can hire the right talent:
Consult with our team: Start by reaching out to our team to discuss your specific requirements. Whether you need a developer for a short-term project or a long-term position, we’ll understand your needs and match you with the best PHP developer for the job.
Review developer profiles: We offer access to a wide pool of talented PHP developers. You can review detailed profiles, including their skillsets, experience, and past projects, to make sure they align with your project needs.
Interview process: We handle the initial screening and interviews, ensuring that only qualified candidates reach you. You can also have direct interviews to assess their skills and fit for your team.
Onboarding and integration: Once you've chosen your PHP developer, we assist in the onboarding process to ensure smooth integration with your existing team. We provide full support throughout the duration of the contract to make sure everything runs smoothly.
Ongoing support: Even after your developer is on board, FatCat Remote continues to provide support to ensure you get the best results from your hired talent. We can help with any adjustments needed along the way.
Let us handle the hiring process, so you can focus on what matters most: getting your project done with the best PHP developer talent available.
Hiring PHP developers offers numerous advantages, including access to a widely adopted, cost-effective technology with a strong ecosystem of frameworks and resources. PHP powers major platforms like WordPress and is stable, well-documented, and supported by a large community. Its flexibility allows for the creation of a wide range of applications, and it integrates easily with APIs and third-party services, making it an ideal choice for reliable and scalable web development projects.
The 30-day trial period for hiring a PHP developer on FatCat Remote allows clients to test our service with minimal risk. During this trial, which lasts up to 160 working hours or 30 calendar days (whichever comes first), you have the flexibility to cancel the engagement or request a developer replacement without significant financial consequences. To cancel, you must provide a detailed written notice (via email) at least five working days before the cancellation date, outlining reasons for dissatisfaction such as unmet goals, technical issues, or poor communication.
Finding good PHP developers can be challenging due to several factors. Firstly, while PHP is widely used, it often lacks the same level of modern appeal as newer technologies, leading some developers to focus on more trendy languages and frameworks. Additionally, there’s a shortage of developers who are not only skilled in PHP but also experienced in using its various frameworks effectively. The demand for experienced PHP developers often exceeds supply, especially for more complex, enterprise-level projects. Moreover, as PHP evolves, developers need to continuously update their skills, but some may not stay current with the latest best practices and tools.
A PHP Software Developer is responsible for developing, testing, and maintaining web applications using PHP and related technologies. They work closely with project managers, designers, and other developers to build dynamic, user-friendly websites and applications that meet business needs.