Web developers held about 160,500 jobs in 2018. The largest employers of web developers were as follows:
| Computer systems design and related services | 17% |
| Self-employed workers | 16 |
| Publishing industries (except Internet) | 5 |
| Management, scientific, and technical consulting services | 5 |
| Advertising, public relations, and related services | 4 |
Work Schedules
Most web developers work full time.
Educational requirements for web developers vary with the setting they work in and the type of work they do. Web developers need knowledge of both programming and graphic design.
Education
Educational requirements for web developers vary with the setting they work in and the type of work they do. Requirements range from a high school diploma to a bachelor’s degree. An associate’s degree in web design or related field is the most common requirement.
However, for more specialized developer positions, such as back-end web developers, some employers prefer workers who have at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science, programming, or a related field.
Web developers need to have a thorough understanding of HTML programming. Many employers also want developers to understand other programming languages, such as JavaScript or SQL, and have knowledge of multimedia publishing tools, such as Flash. Throughout their career, web developers must keep up to date on new tools and computer languages.
Some employers prefer web developers who have both a computer degree and coursework in graphic design, especially if the developer will be heavily involved in the website’s visual appearance.
Advancement
Web developers who have a bachelor’s degree can advance to become project managers. For more information, see the profile on computer and information systems managers.
Web developers typically have an interest in the Building, Thinking and Organizing interest areas, according to the Holland Code framework. The Building interest area indicates a focus on working with tools and machines, and making or fixing practical things. The Thinking interest area indicates a focus on researching, investigating, and increasing the understanding of natural laws. The Organizing interest area indicates a focus on working with information and processes to keep things arranged in orderly systems.
If you are not sure whether you have a Building or Thinking or Organizing interest which might fit with a career as a web developer, you can take a career test to measure your interests.
Web developers should also possess the following specific qualities:
Concentration. Web developers must sit at a computer and write detailed code for long periods.
Creativity. Web developers are often involved in designing the appearance of a website and must make sure that it looks innovative and up to date.
Customer-service skills. Webmasters have to respond politely and correctly to user questions and requests.
Detail oriented. When web developers write in HTML, a minor error could cause an entire webpage to stop working.
The median annual wage for web developers was $73,760 in May 2019. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $39,550, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $142,080.
In May 2019, the median annual wages for web developers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Publishing industries (except Internet) | $121,160 |
| Computer systems design and related services | 72,050 |
| Management, scientific, and technical consulting services | 68,560 |
| Advertising, public relations, and related services | 68,050 |
Most web developers work full time.
Employment of web developers is projected to grow 13 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Employment of web developers is projected to grow as ecommerce continues to expand. Online purchasing is expected to grow faster than the overall retail industry. As retail firms expand their online offerings, demand for web developers will grow. In addition, an increase in the use of mobile devices to search the web will lead to increased demand for web developers. Instead of designing a website for a desktop computer, developers will have to create sites that work on mobile devices with many different screen sizes, leading to more work.
Because websites can be built from anywhere in the world, some web developer jobs may be moved to countries with lower wages. However, this practice may decline because the cost of managing web developers in multiple countries can offset the savings to businesses. Furthermore, web developers must understand cultural nuances that allow webpages to communicate effectively with users, and domestic web developers are better equipped for this task, curtailing the work that may be moved to other countries.
Job Prospects
Job opportunities for web developers are expected to be good. Those with knowledge of multiple programming languages and digital multimedia tools, such as Flash and Photoshop, will have the best opportunities.
For more information about web developers, visit
World Organization of Webmasters
For more information about computer careers, visit
Association for Computing Machinery
Computing Research Association
For information about opportunities for women pursuing information technology careers, visit
National Center for Women & Information Technology
CareerOneStop
For a career video on web developers, visit