The median pay for Web Developers is $92,650 a year ($44.54/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 3.8% through 2035, with about 5,300 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 15-1254
- Computer and Mathematical
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Web Developer in four numbers
- Median pay
- $92,650a year, or $44.54/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $48KTop 10% $162K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +3.8%About as fast as averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+3.8%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +3.8% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 5,30087,400 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202587.4K
- Projected 203590.6K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 87.4K Projected 2035 90.6K - Typical education
- Bachelor'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school4.2%
- High school8.3%
- Certificate16.7%
- Some college4.2%
- Associate's16.7%
- Bachelor's45.8%
Highest education held by web developers Segment Value Less than high school 4.2% High school 8.3% Certificate 16.7% Some college 4.2% Associate's 16.7% Bachelor's 45.8%
Also advertised as: Technology Applications Engineer, Web Architect, Web Design Specialist, Web Developer, Webmaster.
Pay
How much do Web Developers make?
Every web developer in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$92,650
Middle half earn $64,230 to $126,230
- 10th
- $48,100
- 25th
- $64,230
- 75th
- $126,230
- 90th
- $162,290
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $48,100 |
| 25th | $64,230 |
| Median | $92,650 |
| 75th | $126,230 |
| 90th | $162,290 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $92,650
- Median hourly wage
- $44.54/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $98,770
- People employed
- 70,190
Versus all US occupations
At $92,650, Web Developers earn 82% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $41,670 a year.
Versus computer and mathematical occupations
Inside the Computer and Mathematical group, where the middle occupation pays $116,580, this is 21% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $162,290 or more while the bottom 10% earn $48,100, a gap of 3.4×. That is an unusually wide spread, which usually tracks specialisation, employer type and years of experience.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 68% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
Washington posts the highest raw median ($130,440), but once local prices are taken into account Virginia leads at $126,978 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Web Developers the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Washington | $130,440 | $121,892 | 4,430 |
| 2Virginia | $128,380 | $126,978 | 4,590 |
| 3California | $119,570 | $107,993 | 7,320 |
| 4District of Columbia | $114,690 | $104,358 | 430 |
| 5Maryland | $112,690 | $107,366 | 1,960 |
| 6Missouri | $103,750 | $114,241 | 1,160 |
| 7Minnesota | $101,020 | $102,433 | 1,200 |
| 8Utah | $100,170 | $101,321 | 1,280 |
| 9New York | $98,580 | $91,345 | 3,990 |
| 10Massachusetts | $98,470 | $93,110 | 1,940 |
Job outlook
Is Web Developer a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
About as fast as average. +3.8% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Web Developers | +3.8% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
About as fast as average
BLS projects employment of Web Developers to change 3.8% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 3,300 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 5,300 openings are projected each year, 6.1% of the 87,400 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of web developers and digital designers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
However, improving web development tools and increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) for web development may soften the employment growth of these workers. These tools may make these workers more productive, and it may also allow some workers in other occupations to do basic web development tasks.
Getting in
How to become a Web Developer
Educational requirements vary for web developers and digital designers, based on work setting and other factors.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as web developers.
- Bachelor's Degree45.8%
- Post-Secondary Certificate16.7%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree16.7%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)8.3%
- Less than a High School Diploma4.2%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | 45.8% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 16.7% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 16.7% |
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 8.3% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 4.2% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Web Developer do?
Develop and implement websites, web applications, application databases, and interactive web interfaces. Evaluate code to ensure that it is properly structured, meets industry standards, and is compatible with browsers and devices. Optimize website performance, scalability, and server-side code and processes. May develop website infrastructure and integrate websites with other computer applications.
Web developers create and maintain websites. They are also responsible for the site’s technical aspects, such as its performance and capacity, which are measures of a website’s speed and how much traffic the site can handle. In addition, web developers may create content for the site. Digital designers develop, create, and test website or interface layout, functions, and navigation for usability. They are responsible for the look and functionality of the website or interface.
Day-to-day tasks
- Write supporting code for Web applications or Web sites.
- Design, build, or maintain Web sites, using authoring or scripting languages, content creation tools, management tools, and digital media.
- Select programming languages, design tools, or applications.
- Perform or direct Web site updates.
- Maintain understanding of current Web technologies or programming practices through continuing education, reading, or participation in professional conferences, workshops, or groups.
- Analyze user needs to determine technical requirements.
- Respond to user email inquiries, or set up automated systems to send responses.
- Document test plans, testing procedures, or test results.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most web developers and digital designers work full time.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeSeated for more than half the working day.
Standing
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where web developers work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Information27%
- Self-employed workers13%
- Computer systems design and related services13%
- Finance and insurance6%
- Wholesale trade5%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Information | 27% |
| Self-employed workers | 13% |
| Computer systems design and related services | 13% |
| Finance and insurance | 6% |
| Wholesale trade | 5% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Critical Thinking3.8
- Reading Comprehension3.6
- Active Listening3.5
- Active Learning3.5
- Speaking3.3
- Writing3.1
- Monitoring3.0
- Learning Strategies2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 3.8 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.6 |
| Active Listening | 3.5 |
| Active Learning | 3.5 |
| Speaking | 3.3 |
| Writing | 3.1 |
| Monitoring | 3.0 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Programming4.1
- Complex Problem Solving3.6
- Operations Analysis3.6
- Judgment and Decision Making3.4
- Systems Analysis3.1
- Coordination3.0
- Systems Evaluation3.0
- Time Management3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Programming | 4.1 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.6 |
| Operations Analysis | 3.6 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.4 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.1 |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.0 |
| Time Management | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Analytical or scientific software · in demand
- Application server software · in demand
- Business intelligence and data analysis software · in demand
- Cloud-based data access and sharing software · in demand
- Cloud-based management software · in demand
- Configuration management software · in demand
- Content workflow software · in demand
- Customer relationship management CRM software · in demand
- Data base management system software · in demand
- Data base reporting software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Data mining software · in demand
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Web Developer?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Web Developer |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 3 |
| Investigative | 5 |
| Artistic | 3 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 3 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around organising, following procedures and working precisely with data, combined with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data.
- Conventional5.0
- Investigative5.0
- Artistic3.1
- Realistic3.0
- Enterprising3.0
- Social2.2
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Web Developer
O*NET related occupations
- Computer and Mathematical
- Computer and Mathematical
- Computer and Mathematical
- Computer and Mathematical
- Computer and Mathematical
- Computer and Mathematical
More computer and mathematical careers
Median annual pay, with web developers highlighted
- Software Developer$135,980
- Actuary$130,000
- Information Security Analyst$129,180
- Data Scientist$120,230
- Business Intelligence Analyst$120,230
- Database Administrator$104,620
- Web Designer$104,000
- Computer Programmer$100,390
- Web Developer$92,650
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Software Developer | $135,980 |
| Actuary | $130,000 |
| Information Security Analyst | $129,180 |
| Data Scientist | $120,230 |
| Business Intelligence Analyst | $120,230 |
| Database Administrator | $104,620 |
| Web Designer | $104,000 |
| Computer Programmer | $100,390 |
| Web Developer | $92,650 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Specialty careers within web developer
Distinct careers BLS counts inside this occupation, each with its own profile.
Questions
Web Developer: frequently asked questions
How much do Web Developers make?
Web Developers earn a median of $92,650 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 82% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $44.54/hr. The middle half earn between $64,230 and $126,230. The top 10% earn $162,290 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Web Developer?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Web Developers, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as some preparation. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 45.8% hold bachelor's degree.
Is Web Developer a growing career?
It is stable rather than fast-growing: employment is projected to change 3.8% over 2025–2035, about the same as the 3.5% projected across all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 5,300 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Web Developer do?
Web developers create and maintain websites. A core O*NET task: write supporting code for Web applications or Web sites. Employers most often ask for Analytical or scientific software, Application server software, Business intelligence and data analysis software.
Which states pay Web Developers the most?
The highest state medians for Web Developers are Washington ($130,440), Virginia ($128,380), California ($119,570) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Virginia moves to the top at $126,978.
What personality type suits a Web Developer?
O*NET scores Web Developers highest on the Conventional, Investigative and Artistic interest areas, so the work mixes organising, following procedures and working precisely with data with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are INTJ, ISTJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.