Computers and math
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 pay
$92,650
Growth to 2035
+4%
about as fast as average
Openings a year
5,300
Time to qualify*
13 months
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Web developer
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Bachelor's degree
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- None
- Required
- No license; a portfolio is the gate
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Web developer: 63% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core 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.
Also called: Technology Applications Engineer · Web Architect · Web Design Specialist · Web Developer · Webmaster
Outlook and AI
Web developers held 87,400 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 90,600 by 2035 (+4%, about as fast as average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Occupational substitution, capital/labor substitution - share decreases as low- and no-code tools, along with artificial intelligence (AI), increasingly automate web development and increasingly allow other workers to complete web development tasks.
Compare with
- Web developer vs. Software engineer
- Web developer vs. UX designer
- Web developer vs. Computer occupations, all other
- Web developer vs. Computer programmer
- Web developer vs. Database administrator
- Web developer vs. Database architect
- Web developer vs. Marketing specialist
- Web developer vs. Computer systems analyst