What Does a Web Developer Do?

Before we dive into the salary figures, let’s first understand what it is that web developers do. At its core, web development involves designing and building websites using various programming languages and technologies.

Web developers use a variety of tools and frameworks to accomplish this, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and content management systems like WordPress or Drupal.

Web developers also need to have a good understanding of user experience (UX) design principles, which involve creating websites that are intuitive and easy to navigate. This requires a deep knowledge of user behavior and an ability to design interfaces that are both aesthetically pleasing and highly functional.

Factors That Influence Web Developer Salaries

Now that we have a better understanding of what web developers do, let’s take a look at the factors that influence their salaries. There are several key factors that determine how much a web developer can earn, including:

• Experience and Education
• Location
• Industry and Company Size

1. Experience and Education

As with many professions, experience and education play a big role in determining a web developer’s salary. Those with more experience and advanced degrees tend to earn more than those who are just starting out or have only a bachelor’s degree. For example, a web developer with 5+ years of experience and a master’s degree in computer science might earn significantly more than someone with less than 2 years of experience and a bachelor’s degree in computer science.

1. Location

Location is another important factor that influences web developer salaries. Some cities and states are known for their high cost of living, which can impact how much web developers can earn. For example, web developers in cities like San Francisco or New York tend to earn more than those in smaller towns or rural areas. This is because the cost of living in these cities is higher, which means that businesses are willing to pay more for talent.

1. Industry and Company Size

The industry and company size also play a role in determining web developer salaries. Some industries, like technology or finance, tend to pay web developers more than others, such as healthcare or education. This is because these industries place a higher value on having an online presence and are willing to invest more in web development talent.

Company size is another important factor. Larger companies tend to have more resources to invest in their employees, which can lead to higher salaries for web developers. For example, a web developer working for a small startup might earn less than someone working for a large corporation like Google or Apple.

The Average Annual Salary for Web Developers

Now that we’ve looked at the factors that influence web developer salaries, let’s take a look at the average annual salary for web developers in the United States. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for computer and information technology occupations, which includes web developers, is $88,240. However, this figure can vary widely depending on the factors we discussed earlier, such as experience, education, location, industry, and company size.

For example, according to Glassdoor, the average base salary for a web developer in the United States is around $91,000 per year. However, this can vary widely depending on the factors we discussed earlier. For instance, a web developer with 5+ years of experience and a master’s degree might earn significantly more than someone just starting out or with only a bachelor’s degree.

Case Studies: Real-Life Examples of Web Developer Salaries

To give you a better idea of what web developer salaries can look like in real life, let’s take a look at some case studies:

• John is a web developer with 3 years of experience and a bachelor’s degree in computer science. He works for a small startup in a rural area of the United States. John earns an average salary of $70,000 per year.
• Mary is a web developer with 5 years of experience and a master’s degree in computer science. She works for a large corporation in San Francisco. Mary earns an average salary of $105,000 per year.