Database Architect
Median wage · national
$104,620
Range: $80K – $135K
Employed
70K
Openings/yr
4K
Typically: bachelor's degree
STEM
Web Developer
Web Developer earn $92,650 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $64,230 and $126,230. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
About Web Developer
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.
- Median Wage
- $92,650
- Employed Nationally
- 70K
- Openings / Year
- 5,400
- Entry Education
- Bachelor's degree
- Job Zone
- Zone 3: Medium Preparation
Also known as:
Back End Developer
Back End Engineer
Back End Software Engineer
Back-End Web Developer
Computer Graphic Artist
How Much Do Web Developers Make?
Web Developer earn $92,650 nationally, well above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $64,230 and $126,230. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
$92,650
National Median (Annual)
Well above average for college graduates.
$64K–$126K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$64,230
Entry-level
$92,650
Median
$126,230
Experienced
What Do Web Developers Do?
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Web Developer roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
What You'll Do
- 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.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Programming
Critical Thinking
Reading Comprehension
Complex Problem Solving
Operations Analysis
Who Thrives Here
C
Conventional
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
I
Investigative
This career demands analytical thinking: researching problems, interpreting data, and applying logical reasoning to find practical solutions.
A
Artistic
Creative and original thinking matters in this field, where fresh approaches, design sensibility, or expressive work drives real outcomes.
Where Do Web Developers Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
Moderate
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
What Is the Job Outlook for Web Developers?
The BLS projects +7.5% employment change for Web Developer through 2034, roughly in line with the national average of +5%. About 5,400 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
↗ +7.5%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)
About as fast as average.
5,400
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
70K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most Web Developer professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $92,650 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 10,820 | $117,380 | +26.7% |
| 2 | New York | 6,340 | $67,400 | -27.3% |
| 3 | Texas | 5,280 | $93,120 | +0.5% |
| 4 | Florida | 4,530 | $81,410 | -12.1% |
| 5 | Virginia | 4,450 | $110,830 | +19.6% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
Most Web Developer positions require a bachelor's degree to qualify. The 4 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
Typical Entry Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Zone
Zone 3: Medium Preparation
A medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Computer Science | 72,693 | $107,009 | 1,053 |
| 2 | IT Administration | 46,791 | $85,063 | 1,271 |
| 3 | Computer Software & Media | 14,684 | $58,894 | 726 |
| 4 | Computer Programming | 12,983 | $83,439 | 628 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Web Developers
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States Naval Academy Annapolis, MD | 97 | — | — |
| 2 | United States Coast Guard Academy New London, CT | 96 | — | — |
| 3 | United States Air Force Academy USAF Academy, CO | 96 | — | — |
| 4 | United States Military Academy West Point, NY | 96 | — | — |
| 5 | Princeton University Princeton, NJ | 94 | $6,128 | $110,066 |
| 6 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | 93 | $12,548 | $82,511 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up Web Developer, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to Web Developer pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Web Developer Pros & Cons
Strong earnings and growing demand make Web Developer a compelling path. The 3 strengths and 1 trade-offs below are drawn from BLS wage data and employment projections.
PROS
- Very high median salary The national median of $92,650 places this career well above average for college graduates, with significant upside at the 75th percentile.
- Steady job outlook The BLS projects +7.5% growth through 2034, keeping pace with the national average. Demand is stable and annual openings remain consistent.
- High earning ceiling Top earners (75th percentile) reach $126,230 annually. Strong performers, specialists, and those in high-cost markets have significant upside beyond the median.
CONS
- Entry-level pay well below the national median The 25th percentile wage of $64,230 is considerably below the $92,650 median. Early-career workers typically spend 5 or more years building toward typical pay. Factor this into any program ROI calculation.
Web Developer Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Web Developer professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for Web Developer is $92,650, above the national median for full-time workers. The middle 50% of earners fall between $64,230 and $126,230. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Web Developer a good career?
Yes, the data is strong. A $92,650 median with +7.5% projected growth through 2034 is a combination most career fields can't match. The real variable is early career: workers around the 25th percentile earn $64,230, so your first employer and location will shape your trajectory more than the national number suggests.
How do I become a Web Developer?
Most Web Developer positions require a bachelor's degree as the minimum credential. a medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience. Programs like Computer Science are common starting points.
What is the job outlook for Web Developer?
The BLS projects +7.5% employment change for Web Developer through 2034, about as fast as average compared to all occupations. About 5,400 job openings per year are projected, including new positions and replacements for workers who retire or change careers. 70K people currently work in this occupation nationwide (BLS May 2024).
Why do Web Developer professionals earn so much?
At $92,650 median with a Zone 3 preparation level, Web Developer compensates well because specialized expertise creates high economic value per hour, and the role typically carries meaningful liability, decision-making responsibility, or direct revenue impact. Industries that depend on this skill set pay competitively to attract and retain people who are genuinely good at it.
Why do Web Developer salaries vary so widely?
The $62,000 gap between the 25th ($64,230) and 75th ($126,230) percentile reflects how much employer type, industry, specialization, and geography affect pay. Entry-level roles and lower-demand markets cluster near the bottom; senior, specialized, or high-cost-metro positions push the top. In fields with this much spread, where you work and what you specialize in often matters more than years of experience.
What skills do Web Developer professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Web Developer roles: Programming, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Complex Problem Solving, and Operations Analysis. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.
Related Findings
-
10 Six-Figure Careers That Do Not Need a Bachelor's Degree
Air traffic controllers earn more than the typical bachelor's-degree career, with an associate degree. The occupations that pay six figures without four years of college.
- No bachelor degree
- High paying careers
- Associate degree
- Trades
- Median wage
-
Does a Master's Degree Pay Off? Barely, on Average
Group every career by the degree it requires and master's-level jobs pay a median of about $91,000, statistically tied with bachelor's-level work. The premium hides in a few fields.
- Master's degree
- Bachelor's degree
- Median wage
- Graduate school
- Career outcomes
-
Growing and Paying $80K Plus: The Careers That Do Both
Only 95 of 385 federal careers both pay a median above $80,000 and grow faster than the typical job. Here is the rare set that clears both bars.
- Career growth
- Median wage
- High-paying careers
- Job outlook
- Career change
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