Have You Heard About the .NET Field or .NET Developer Jobs?
They’re quite popular across the internet, Did you know that the average salary for a .NET developer is actually quite high compared to similar roles?
So, let’s answer the big question:
What should you learn to become a qualified .NET Developer?
The answer comes down to mastering a few core skills and picking up some bonus skills to boost your chances of landing a job.
1. C# Programming Language
This is the backbone of your journey. Everything you code in the .NET ecosystem will revolve around C#. You’ll learn about variables, loops, arrays, and object-oriented programming (OOP).
Tip: There are many Enlgish-language resources available to help you get started with C#.
2. SQL and Databases
Once you’re comfortable writing basic C# programs—like desktop or file-based applications—it’s time to step things up and connect your apps to a database.
You’ll learn how to:
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Design and build databases
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Connect C# applications to databases
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Execute essential operations like insert, update, delete, and query
A solid database is the foundation of any successful application.
3. Entity Framework
This powerful framework lets you interact with your database using C#. It maps your database tables to objects, making it easier to work with your data in a more intuitive and organized way.
4. ASP.NET MVC
This is one of the most in-demand skills in the market. Why? Because everything is moving to the web—not desktop applications.
With ASP.NET MVC, you’ll learn:
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How the web works
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How requests and responses are handled
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How to connect your web app to a database to build modern, data-driven web applications
Important: Since you’re working with the web, you’ll also need to get comfortable with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Also, avoid focusing too much on ASP.NET Web Forms—they’re outdated and rarely used. You can read our article “Is Web Forms Dead?“ to help you decide for yourself.
5. User Identity & Authentication
Handling user accounts and permissions is a crucial part of almost any medium or large application. Who can add data? Who can delete it?
Thankfully, Microsoft offers built-in tools and classes (User Identity) so you don’t have to build everything from scratch.
6. GitHub
This isn’t a programming language, but trust me—it’s essential. Using GitHub daily will set you apart from other candidates. It’s a platform for sharing and storing code, and it’s widely used by professionals.
You should learn how to:
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Connect Visual Studio with GitHub
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Push your code and projects
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Showcase your work professionally so recruiters and companies can see the quality of your code
At This Point…
If you’ve mastered the six core skills above, you’re already capable of building real-world websites and applications. But to stand out and improve your job prospects even more, consider learning these advanced concepts:
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Clean Code Principles
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Design Patterns like the Repository Pattern
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Building and Using Web APIs
With these, you’ll have covered over 80% of what’s expected from a skilled .NET developer in today’s job market.
Yes, there are deeper technologies and concepts out there—but you can pick them up later as you gain real-world experience.
Final Advice:
Practice is everything. Start building your own projects from scratch. That’s the best way to truly understand .NET.
