Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Bachelor's degree
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These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Web developers work in a field that combines technology, creativity, and problem solving. Nationally, this occupation has a median annual salary of $90,930 and total employment of 86,000, indicating a sizable professional community. Projected employment growth of 7.5% and about 5,000 annual openings suggest ongoing demand for new and experienced developers. The role draws on skills in computers and information technology, critical thinking, mathematics, and communication, making it a fit for people who enjoy both technical and creative work. Opportunity is not limited to a single region; states such as California, Massachusetts, New York, Colorado, and Washington all show notable CareerGPS opportunity scores, and several major metro areas also stand out. For those willing to build skills in problem solving, detail orientation, and adaptability, web development offers a structured path with clear salary benchmarks, measurable growth projections, and a defined education expectation at the bachelor’s degree level.
The national median annual salary for web developers is $90,930, providing a clear benchmark for earnings in this field. Pay can vary significantly by location. Among the top states by CareerGPS opportunity score, median salaries range from $85,950 in Colorado to $130,440 in Washington, with California at $119,570 and both Massachusetts and New York near $98,500. At the metro level, salary differences are even more pronounced. The San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA metro has a median of $166,670, and San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA reports $152,450. Other high-paying metros include Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV at $134,350 and New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY-NJ at $104,820. These figures show that earnings can increase substantially in certain metros and states compared with the national median.
Web developers have a national employment level of 86,000, with projected employment growth of 7.5%. This same 7.5% growth rate appears across the top states and metro areas by CareerGPS opportunity score, indicating consistent projected expansion in multiple regions. About 5,000 annual openings nationwide suggest a regular flow of opportunities, which may include both new positions and turnover in existing roles. States such as California, Massachusetts, New York, Colorado, and Washington all combine this projected growth with established employment bases, from 1,680 web developers in Colorado up to 7,320 in California. Major metro areas also show notable headcounts, such as 4,200 in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY-NJ and 3,840 in Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV. Together, these figures indicate that web development presents ongoing prospects for entry, advancement, and geographic mobility within the occupation.
Location can shape both opportunity and pay for web developers. Among states with strong CareerGPS opportunity scores, California leads in employment with 7,320 web developers and a median salary of $119,570, paired with a 7.5% growth rate. Washington combines a high median salary of $130,440 with employment of 4,430, while New York and Massachusetts offer median salaries around $98,500 with employment of 3,990 and 1,940 respectively. Colorado shows a median salary of $85,950 and employment of 1,680. At the metro level, differences are even clearer. San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA stands out with a median salary of $166,670 but a relatively small employment base of 1,130. New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY-NJ pairs 4,200 jobs with a median salary of $104,820, while San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA offers $152,450 at 1,420 jobs. Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV and Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA-NH also combine substantial employment and six-figure median pay.
The typical education requirement for web developers is a bachelor’s degree. This level of education aligns with the broad mix of skills associated with the occupation. Technical preparation in computers and information technology and mathematics supports the more analytical side of the work. At the same time, creativity and innovation, writing and reading, and speaking and listening are highlighted, reflecting the need to generate, understand, and communicate ideas clearly. Critical and analytical thinking, problem solving and decision making, and being detail oriented contribute to handling complex tasks and reducing errors. Project management skills support organizing work and meeting goals, while adaptability helps web developers adjust to changing requirements or contexts. Together, these skills indicate that successful entry into the field typically involves both formal education and the development of a balanced skill set that spans technical, analytical, organizational, and communication strengths.
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