Web Developer career guide
A web developer builds and maintains websites and web applications: the pages people see, and often the code and data behind them. Some focus on the front end, some on the back end, and some do both.
Pay data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Job content: O*NET 31.0. Updated 2026-10-26.
- $92,650median annual wage (U.S.)
- $44.54median hourly wage
- 70,190people employed in the U.S.
- Bachelor's Degreemost common required education
What a web developer does
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.
Typical 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.
- Back up files from Web sites to local directories for instant recovery in case of problems.
- Select programming languages, design tools, or applications.
- Evaluate code to ensure that it is valid, is properly structured, meets industry standards, and is compatible with browsers, devices, or operating systems.
- Develop databases that support Web applications and Web sites.
- Perform Web site tests according to planned schedules, or after any Web site or product revision.
- Perform or direct Web site updates.
A typical day
A typical day includes building page layouts and features, connecting them to data, fixing bugs across browsers and devices, and checking speed and accessibility. Web developers work closely with designers and content teams, and many also maintain sites they built earlier.
Skills employers look for
These are the skills O*NET rates as most important for this occupation.
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Active Learning
- Programming
- Complex Problem Solving
- Operations Analysis
- Judgment and Decision Making
Knowledge areas
- Computers and Electronics
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Communications and Media
- Customer and Personal Service
Tools and technology
Examples of technology used in this occupation, from O*NET: Adobe Acrobat, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Creative Cloud software, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, AJAX, Amazon DynamoDB, Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud EC2, Amazon Redshift.
Education and training
When O*NET asked people in this occupation what education the job requires, the most common answers were:
- Bachelor's Degree: 46% of respondents
- Post-Secondary Certificate: 17% of respondents
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree: 17% of respondents
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Web Developer pay
The median annual wage for web developers was $92,650 in May 2025 ($44.54 an hour). Half of workers earned between $64,230 and $126,230.
Highest-paying states
- Washington: $130,440 median
- Virginia: $128,380 median
- California: $119,570 median
- District of Columbia: $114,690 median
- Maryland: $112,690 median
States with the most web developers
- California: 7,320 employed
- Texas: 4,910 employed
- Virginia: 4,590 employed
- Washington: 4,430 employed
- Illinois: 4,310 employed
Web Developer pay in every state
How to get hired
A portfolio matters a lot in web development: live sites or projects you can walk through, with the code available to review. Degrees are common but not always required, and many developers come from bootcamps or are self-taught. Show that you care about accessibility, performance and clean, maintainable code.
Job titles you may see
Web Architect, Web Design Specialist, Web Developer, Webmaster.
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Web Developer salary by state · Web Developer job description and interview questions
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment estimates: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, cross-industry estimates for all ownerships. Figures are as published; BLS does not publish some estimates for some states. As defined by BLS, wages include tips, commissions and production bonuses, and exclude overtime pay, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses and other premium pay. BLS OEWS
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Jobder has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET Database
Written and maintained by the Jobder team. Last updated 2026-10-26. Questions or corrections: support@jobder.pro.
Frequently asked questions
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.
How much does a web developer make?
The median annual wage for web developers in the United States was $92,650 in May 2025, or $44.54 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $48,100 and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $162,290.
What education do you need to become a web developer?
In O*NET's survey of people in this occupation, the most common answer for required education was "Bachelor's Degree" (46% of respondents). O*NET classifies the occupation as "Medium Preparation Needed".
Which state pays web developers the most?
Washington had the highest median annual wage for this occupation in May 2025, at $130,440, followed by Virginia ($128,380) and California ($119,570).
How many web developers are there in the U.S.?
BLS estimated 70,190 people were employed as web developers in May 2025. California employed the most, with 7,320.