Web development is the bedrock of the digital age. Experts in this field use languages like HTML, JavaScript, and CSS to design, build, and maintain websites. With an increasing need for an online presence, the demand for skilled web developers has grown. So how much do web developers make today?
The average web developer salary depends on multiple factors, such as educational history and specific job responsibilities. A full stack developer, for instance, earns more money than front end web developers or backend web developers for possessing more skills. Keep reading for web development salary information, including what you can expect to make at every step of your career.
Web Developer Salary: An Overview
Average Web Developer Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average web developer salary is $78,300 per year. The highest 10 percent of web developers were paid $168,200 per year, while the lowest 10 percent earned less than $38,550. This shows that the web developer average salary has a lot of variation depending on your skills, location, and experience.
With rapid technological advancements, web developers are needed more than ever to create interactive websites. That explains why the web developer annual salary is significantly higher than the average salary for all occupations of $58,260, according to BLS figures.
How Much Do Web Developers Make Per Hour?
The average web developer salary per hour is about $36, according to ZipRecruiter. How much web developers make depends on many factors, including educational requirements, years of experience, job title, skills, knowledge of programming languages, and the cost of living in the specific location. While one web developer’s hourly pay may be $63 an hour, another might make only $11.
A common way to increase your web dev salary is through upskilling. The best way to upskill is to sign up for an online web development course or a web development bootcamp. These courses teach popular programming languages, how to build web pages, and how to create web graphics.
Types of Web Developer Salaries
Front End Web Developer Salary
The average front end web developer salary is around $85,027, according to Glassdoor. You can earn an impressive paycheck in this role, even with less than a year of experience. The average front end web developer starting salary is $64,009. Many front end developers make more if they also have web design experience.
Backend Web Developer Salary
According to Glassdoor, the average backend web developer salary is $75,566, with most wages falling between $60,000 and $95,000. While the median backend web development salary is lower than the median front end web dev salary, this is still a very well-paying field, especially if you have the right technical skills.
Full Stack Web Developer Salary
The average full stack web developer salary is $87,090, also according to Glassdoor. Full stack web developers have the largest annual wage because they are expected to have a diverse skillset that encompasses both front end and backend tools and programming languages.
Web Developer Salaries by Location
Here’s a breakdown of the top five best states for web developers when it comes to earning the largest paycheck. Often, the best places for web developers to live are cities with a large tech presence. However, keep in mind that many web developers are able to work remotely.
| Location | 25th Percentile Salary | Median Salary | 75th Percentile Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $55,868 | $81,503 | $98,844 |
| Hawaii | $55,115 | $80,404 | $97,512 |
| Rhode Island | $52,084 | $75,980 | $92,146 |
| Alaska | $52,310 | $76,313 | $92,549 |
| North Dakota | $50,871 | $74,214 | $90,004 |
Web Developer Salaries by Experience Level
Like every other profession, the average web programmer salary increases with experience. According to PayScale, a senior web developer makes $72,000, which is a 30 percent boost from what entry-level web developers make.
| Experience Level | 10th Percentile Salary | Median Salary | 90th Percentile Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $38,000 | $51,000 | $72,000 |
| Early-Career | $41,000 | $59,000 | $83,000 |
| Mid-Career | $48,000 | $68,000 | $98,000 |
| Experienced | $50,000 | $72,000 | $106,000 |
| Late-Career | $52,000 | $80,000 | $113,000 |
Entry-Level Web Developer Salary
The median entry-level web developer salary is about $51,489. An associate degree or a coding bootcamp can help you land a role at this level. Although the average junior web developer salary can be lower than you expect, your wage will likely increase as you improve your skills and gain real-world experience.
Mid-Level Web Developer Salary
With a few years of relevant experience, most developers make around $68,000. The average mid-level web developer salary is currently $68,179. Having a bachelor’s degree in a related field can also help you negotiate a higher salary.
Senior Web Developer Salary
The average senior web developer salary is around $72,749. PayScale also reports that the average director of web development salary is $90,691 and the average web development manager salary is $89,757. Both of these are roles that you can move into at this point in your career.
Web Developer Certification Salaries
Getting relevant certifications for your field is a popular way of negotiating a higher salary and moving into more advanced roles. Different certifications are intended for web developers at different stages of their careers, but a few examples include IWA’s Certified Web Professional-Web Developer and IEEE’s Professional Software Developer Certification.
According to PayScale, the average web developer certification salary is $65,000, but this will vary depending on the certification you get. There are also numerous educational programs that can give you a web development certificate, such as bootcamps and online courses. It is difficult to make web developer certificate salary generalizations because of the vast number of certificates available.
Web Developer Salaries by Skill
A career in web development gets more rewarding as web developers broaden their skillset. As per a PayScale estimate, web developers who know C# can earn a median wage of $62,000 a year. Keep reading for a full breakdown of web developer salaries by programming language.
| Skill | 10th Percentile Salary | Median Salary | 90th Percentile Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| C# | $46,000 | $62,000 | $88,000 |
| JavaScript | $43,000 | $61,000 | $91,000 |
| PHP | $41,000 | $59,000 | $84,000 |
| HTML | $40,000 | $56,000 | $84,000 |
| CSS | $40,000 | $58,000 | $86,000 |
Web Developer Job Outlook
Web development is a field with immense potential. The growing need to adopt a digital-first approach across industries has skyrocketed the web development job outlook. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, web development jobs are projected to grow 23 percent from 2021 to 2031.
The US is expected to add an average of 45,400 openings for web developers each year within the next decade. This impressive web development job growth means that you should be able to progress in your career as long as you continue to develop your skills.
Is Web Development a Good Career?
Yes, web development is a good career if you are an analytical thinker who enjoys solving problems for clients. With the world moving towards a digital global economy, web developer jobs are in high demand.
You can earn an impressive web developer salary with just a few years of hands-on experience or the right degree. If you are looking for a high-paying lucrative career in the tech industry, you should consider becoming a web developer.
How Much Do Web Developers Make? FAQ
Yes, you can get paid six figures as a web developer if you continually upskill yourself and gain valuable work experience. Moving into a managerial role later in your career can help you negotiate a higher wage.
How long does it take to become a web developer?
It takes three to 12 months to become a web developer without any experience. The best way to become a web developer is to attend a coding bootcamp. You can then create a project portfolio and either get a job or work as a freelancer.
What’s the starting salary for web developers?
The starting salary for a web developer is around $51,000, according to PayScale. This is dependent on the company you work for, your level of education, your location, and your job responsibilities.
Do web developers make good money?
Yes, web developers make good money once they have a few years of real-world job experience. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, web developers and digital designers earn a median wage of $78,300 per year, which is more than the national average salary of $45,760 for all job roles.
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