How much does a web developer make?

The median pay is $44.54 per hour — roughly $92,500 a year, with the real range running from about $23.12/hr (10th percentile) to $78.03/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Do you need a degree to be a web developer?

The typical entry-level education is: Bachelor's degree. Overall preparation level: medium preparation (Job Zone 3 of 5).

What does a web developer actually do all day?

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.

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Web Developers

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.

What it pays
Web Developers earn a median of $44.54/hr — about $92,500 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $23.12/hr; the top 10% earn $78.03/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)

What you'd actually 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.
Develop databases that support Web applications and Web sites.

How you get there

Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree. Overall preparation: medium preparation (Job Zone 3 of 5).

The feel of the work

The work is mostly indoors; much of the day is spent working solo; it rewards working independently. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)

Working for yourself

About 5.3% of web developers are self-employed.

Who it tends to fit

This work tends to fit people who are organized and detail-focused, analytical and creative.

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Quick questions

How much does a web developer make?: The median pay is $44.54 per hour — roughly $92,500 a year, with the real range running from about $23.12/hr (10th percentile) to $78.03/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Do you need a degree to be a web developer?: The typical entry-level education is: Bachelor's degree. Overall preparation level: medium preparation (Job Zone 3 of 5).
What does a web developer actually do all day?: 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.

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS. Tasks & interests: O*NET. Career pathways shown in the app are draft archetypes — verify before relying on them. Trailhead is a free career guide for students — honest numbers, no hype.

Trailhead is operated by FLEXVermont LLC. It is intended for high-school students age 13 and older, and the educators and families who support them, and is not directed to children under 13. Trailhead is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not offer professional, financial, or career advice, and its wage figures and pathways are estimates that may not fit your situation — they should not be relied on as the sole basis for any decision.