So you want to be a web developer? That’s great! The web development field is growing rapidly, and there are plenty of career opportunities. But what’s the average web developer salary, and what do they do all day?
The Average and Median Web Developer Salary – Fresh Figures
Let’s look at the newest data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The average web developer salary in the United States was $81,320 per year, or $39.09 per hour, in 2021.
The median earnings were slightly lower at $77,030 per year, or $37.03 per hour. Web developers in the top 10% of earners made $129,760 per year ($62.39 hourly) or more, while those in the bottom ten percent made $38,280 per year ($18.40 hourly) or less.
Factors That Influence the Earnings of a Web Developer
Why are the salary ranges so wide? There are many factors that can affect web developer salaries, such as experience, location, and whether they’re working in a full-time or freelance capacity. The industry also makes a difference. For example, web developers in employment services earn $110,200 on average, while those in advertising make about $72,220.
Web Developer Salaries over the Years
Web development is quite a young field, so it hasn’t reached its full potential yet. The BLS projects that employment will grow by 13% between 2020 and 2030, which is faster than average. Salaries are likely to keep increasing as well, as they have over the past few years.
- In 2018, the average web developer earned $75,580 annually.
- By 2019, that number increased to $82,370.
- In 2020, the mean web developer salary was $85,490.
- In 2021, the average dropped to $81,320.
Is that last figure surprising? It’s likely due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which has caused many businesses to tighten their budgets. Since the job outlook is generally positive, we believe it’s nothing to worry about.
The Average Web Developer Salary by State
The cost of living varies from state to state, so it’s no surprise that web developer salaries do as well. For example, web developers in California earn $94,060 on average, while those in Mississippi make $62,410. However, the highest-paying states for web developers aren’t the same as the highest-cost-of-living states. Here’s the top 5:
- Virginia – $103,930;
- Washington – $101,920;
- Rhode Island – $99,940;
- Maryland – $96,460;
- District of Columbia – $95,180.
Where do web devs earn the least? The states with the lowest web developer salaries are Alabama ($49,100), Wyoming ($51,910), Louisiana ($54,300), South Dakota ($54,550), and Montana ($56,610).
Web Developers: What Do They Do?
The web developer salary isn’t the only factor that’s important when considering a career change. It’s also worth thinking about the day-to-day tasks involved in the job, and whether they suit your skills and interests. Let’s take a look at what web developers actually do all day.
- The web development process usually starts with a meeting between the client and the web development team. The client explains what they want the website to do, and the web devs come up with a plan to make it happen.
- After that, it’s time to start coding. Web developers use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to build websites from scratch, or they can use web development frameworks like Ruby on Rails or Django.
- Once the website is built, it’s time to test it and make sure everything works correctly. Web developers use different types of software to do this, including web browsers, web servers, and testing tools.
- Finally, the website is launched and made available to the public.
- Web developers sometimes need to provide maintenance and support after launch, especially if there are any bugs or security issues.
Is a Career in Web Development Right for You?
If you’re interested in web development, the first step is to find out if it’s the right career for you. Here are some things to consider.
Just like software developers, web developers need to be able to work independently and solve problems. They also need to be able to communicate with clients and other members of the web development team. Besides, a web developer career usually requires a significant investment in education and training.
How to Become a Web Developer?
Now that you know more about web developer salaries and what the job entails, you might be wondering how to become one. The good news is that it’s not as difficult as you might think.
There are a few different ways to become a web developer. The most common is to get a degree in computer science or web development. However, you don’t necessarily need a degree to get started in the industry.
Another option is to take an online course in a programming language. These can be found for free or for a fee, and they usually last between 12 and 20 weeks.
Once you have the necessary skills, it’s time to start applying for jobs. You can look for web developer jobs on job boards or company websites. Alternatively, you can reach out to web development agencies and ask if they have any open positions.
Web Developer Salaries Are Good in Most States
The web developer salary is nothing to worry about. In fact, web developers earn a good salary in most states. So, if you’re interested in a web development career, you can rest assured that you’ll make at least a decent living.
