Profession · Full profile

Web Developer

Build, test, and maintain responsive websites and web applications across front-end and back-end systems.

Average salary

$92,650

Salary range

$48,100 – $162,290

Training time

Several months to 4 years

Job market

As fast as average

6/10

Work-life balance

Good

7/10

Web developers build and maintain websites and web applications using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. They translate design mockups into responsive pages that display properly on phones, tablets, and desktop computers. Daily responsibilities include writing back-end code, connecting databases, and integrating external APIs. Developers also test code across different web browsers, troubleshoot performance bottlenecks, and resolve accessibility problems. Working with version control tools and conducting peer code reviews are standard practices, followed by deploying updates and monitoring active sites for operational errors and security vulnerabilities.

A workday

A day in the life

What does a workday really look like?

A standard weekday focused on writing feature code, attending team standup, and reviewing pull requests.

9:00 AM
Code review and inbox triage
Reviewing teammate pull requests on version control and organizing daily issue tickets.
9:30 AM
Team standup meeting
Sharing daily progress updates and coordinating blockers with engineers and project managers.
10:00 AM
Front-end coding
Translating interface designs into responsive HTML, CSS, and component logic.
12:30 PM
Lunch break
Midday break away from screen workstations.
1:30 PM
Back-end and API integration
Writing server-side code and connecting data endpoints to web pages.
3:30 PM
Testing and accessibility checks
Validating layouts across web browsers and resolving accessibility issues.
5:00 PM
Commit push and work wrap-up
Committing tested code, updating ticket statuses, and planning next tasks.

Task breakdown

A production launch day involving system staging, deployment runs, and post-release monitoring.

9:00 AM
Pre-deployment audit
Checking database migrations and deployment checklists ahead of system updates.
10:00 AM
Release planning meeting
Aligning launch steps, responsibilities, and rollback procedures with engineering leads.
11:00 AM
Staging verification
Executing final test runs and checking functionality on pre-production environments.
12:30 PM
Lunch break
Scheduled meal break prior to afternoon production releases.
1:30 PM
Production deployment
Deploying code updates to live web servers and monitoring automated build scripts.
2:30 PM
Post-launch monitoring
Watching server logs for errors, tracking response speeds, and checking security alerts.
4:30 PM
Deployment retrospective
Documenting release results and recording resolved launch issues.

Salary data

What do you really earn?

Salary by experience, sector and region.

Minimum

$48,100

Average

$92,650

Maximum

$162,290

Salary by region

Region	Min	Avg.	Max
National	$48,100	$92,650	$162,290
California	$44,990	$119,570	$202,850
Texas	$50,060	$85,800	$158,460
Virginia	$76,640	$128,380	$178,230
Washington	$70,520	$130,440	$172,060
Illinois	$70,650	$84,820	$128,700

Typical benefits

Remote or hybrid work

Flexibility to complete work from a home office or split time with on-site offices.

Health insurance

Medical, dental, or vision health coverage sponsored by employers.

Retirement plan with employer match

Company-supported retirement savings plans with matching contributions.

Paid time off and learning budgets

Paid annual leave coupled with dedicated funding for technical courses and professional materials.

Pathways

Education pathways

Which paths lead to this profession?

Bachelor's degree

4 years full time

Bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field

Many larger employers prefer a bachelor's degree for developer roles.

Costs: About $11,950 a year in average published tuition and fees at a public four-year college for in-state students, and $45,000 at a private nonprofit four-year college
Entry requirements: High school diploma

Associate degree

2 years full time

Associate degree in web development

Teaches front-end and back-end basics and builds a starter portfolio.

Costs: About $4,150 a year in average published tuition and fees at a public two-year college (in-district)
Entry requirements: High school diploma

Other

Several months

Coding bootcamp or self-taught with a portfolio

Employers often judge candidates by their code samples and past projects.

Entry requirements: No formal requirement; a strong portfolio is key

Profile

Skills & personality

Is this a good fit for you?

Hard skills

HTML, CSS and JavaScriptBuilding structural page elements, applying responsive styles, and programming client-side functionality.
Frameworks such as React, Angular or VueOrganizing modular user interfaces and managing complex front-end application state.
Back-end languages such as Node.js, PHP or PythonDeveloping server logic, routing network requests, and managing server-side data processing.
Git version controlTracking source code changes, creating branches, and coordinating code updates across teams.
Responsive design and web accessibilityEnsuring sites adapt cleanly across varied screen sizes and meet assistive technology standards.
SQL and REST APIsQuerying relational databases and integrating external web services into digital applications.

Soft skills

Problem solvingIsolating software defects, troubleshooting runtime errors, and identifying efficient technical solutions.
TeamworkCollaborating effectively with designers, engineering peers, and product managers.
Attention to detailMatching design mockups precisely and catching syntax flaws during development.
Continuous learningKeeping current with shifting browser standards, updated frameworks, and security practices.

Is this a good fit for you?

✓
AnalyticalThinks through technical architectures methodically and diagnoses broken code step by step.
✓
Detail-orientedNotices subtle styling discrepancies, edge-case bugs, and formatting requirements.
✓
CollaborativeEnjoys exchanging constructive code feedback and partnering across cross-functional teams.
✓
AdaptableHandles changing project requirements, evolving browser standards, and unexpected technical obstacles calmly.
✓
InquisitiveActively explores new software libraries, tools, and modern web development methodologies.

Market

Job market & outlook

What does the market look like?

Openings per year

5,300

Trend

Growth

+3.8%

AI impact

6/10

AI coding assistants now write boilerplate code, tests and simple pages quickly, while understanding requirements, designing systems and reviewing AI output stays human.

Regional demand

Virginia

Government contracting and systems design firms drive substantial developer recruitment.

10/10

Washington

Major technology enterprises maintain concentrated demand for skilled web developers.

10/10

Illinois

Corporate headquarters and digital agencies sustain steady openings for web engineers.

8/10

California

Tech hubs maintain consistent hiring needs for front-end and full-stack talent.

4/10

Texas

Growing commercial centers provide regular opportunities across software teams and corporate firms.

4/10

Growth

Career paths

Where can this profession take you?

Vertical growth

Junior web developer
0-2 years
Assists with basic bug fixes, builds simple UI components, and learns the codebase under senior developer guidance.
Web developer
2-5 years
Builds complete features independently, manages API connections, and resolves cross-browser rendering issues.
Senior developer or tech lead
5-8 years
Architects complex web systems, mentors other programmers, and directs technical code reviews across the team.
Engineering manager or software architect
8+ years
Leads engineering departments, defines broad system architecture, and sets technology strategy.

Horizontal move

Software developer
Expands technical focus beyond browsers to build native desktop applications, system software, and enterprise tools.
View Software Developer
UX designer
Shifts focus toward user experience research, interface wireframing, and interaction design workflows.
QA engineer
Specializes in automated testing suites, quality assurance protocols, and systematic issue tracking.
View QA Engineer

Good to know

Practical info

Working hours: Full time, usually around 40 hours a week, with extra hours near launches; freelance work is common.
Remote work: Remote work is very common because the job is done entirely on a computer and teams collaborate online.
Physical requirements: Sedentary office or home office work with long hours at a screen.
Typical employers: Software and tech companies, digital agencies, computer systems design firms, e-commerce and retail companies, government and universities, self-employed freelancers.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What does a web developer do on a daily basis?

A web developer builds and maintains websites and web applications. Daily tasks involve writing HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, debugging code across web browsers, and ensuring designs display properly on mobile devices. Developers also connect back-end services, query databases, participate in code reviews, and deploy system updates while monitoring sites for performance or security problems.

Do you need a college degree to become a web developer?

No formal degree is strictly required to enter the field. While many larger employers prefer a four-year degree in computer science or a related discipline, candidates often secure jobs through two-year associate degrees, bootcamps, or independent study. Employers evaluate prospective hires primarily by their code samples, past technical projects, and working web portfolios.

Can web developers work remotely?

Yes, remote work is very common for web developers. Because the work is completed entirely on computers and engineering teams collaborate using cloud tools, code repositories, and online messaging, many positions offer fully remote or hybrid schedules. Flexibility is standard, though developers must manage time well during major product launches or site updates.

How is artificial intelligence changing web development work?

Artificial intelligence tools handle repetitive coding tasks like drafting basic boilerplate code, simple pages, and basic tests. However, humans remain responsible for understanding project requirements, designing complex software architecture, and evaluating machine-generated output for errors. Developers use these tools to boost personal productivity rather than having their core analytical responsibilities replaced entirely.

What programming languages should a web developer learn first?

Developers typically start by mastering HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. These foundational front-end languages allow programmers to structure pages, style layouts, and create interactive user interfaces. Once comfortable with the basics, developers often expand their skills into modern frameworks like React, Angular, or Vue, or learn server-side languages like Node.js, PHP, or Python.

What types of companies hire web developers?

Web developers find employment across a wide range of industries. Common employers include software and technology firms, digital agencies, computer systems design services, and retail companies operating e-commerce platforms. Many developers also work for universities, municipal or federal government agencies, or operate independently as self-employed freelance contractors serving diverse business clients.

Related professions

In depth

All about web developer

The background, context and details.

Core responsibilities on the job

Web developers build and maintain websites and web applications using HTML, CSS and JavaScript. They write code. Developers turn design mockups into responsive pages that work on phones, tablets and desktops. Bugs happen. Developers test and debug code across multiple browsers, fixing difficult accessibility flaws while resolving complex performance bottlenecks that slow down page loads for site visitors. They write back-end code and connect sites to databases and APIs. Team collaboration relies on version control and code reviews. Developers deploy updates regularly and monitor live systems for errors and security problems.

Work environment and daily schedule

Sedentary screen time fills every working day. Developers spend long hours at a screen in an office or home office setting. Full-time positions usually require around 40 hours a week, but major project launches can bring extra hours with occasional on-call duty or late after-hours releases for live software. Deadlines demand focus. Remote work is very common because the job is done entirely on a computer and teams collaborate online. Freelance work is common.

Career paths and advancement

Experience opens distinct advancement opportunities across the software sector:

Junior web developer
Web developer
Senior developer or tech lead
Engineering manager or software architect
Software developer
UX designer
QA engineer

Careers evolve. With several years of hands-on experience, developers can advance vertically into senior developer or tech lead positions before stepping into engineering manager or software architect leadership roles. Lateral moves are also possible. A developer can transition into related disciplines like user experience design or software development.

Industry outlook and preparation

The United States accounts for about 87,400 jobs in web development. Employment is projected to change by 3.8% over the next decade, with about 5,300 openings projected each year. While AI coding assistants now write boilerplate code and routine tests quickly, understanding system requirements and reviewing machine output remains work that stays strictly human. Tools assist humans. Build a portfolio of responsive websites before applying for open positions.