What Does a Web Developer Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a web developer do?

Web developers design, build and maintain websites and web applications: writing code in HTML, CSS and JavaScript, connecting to databases and APIs, and making sites fast, secure and accessible. The median pay is $92,650 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 6 months to 4 years, and employment is projected to grow +3.8% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$92,650
$44.54/hour · May 2025
Job growth
+3.8%
2025–35, about as fast as average
Openings per year
5,300
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
BLS classification
Time to train
6 months to 4 years
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
87,400
Employment, 2025

What web developers do

Front-end developers build what users see and interact with; back-end developers build servers, databases and APIs; full-stack developers do both. Web developers translate designs into responsive pages, add interactivity, fix bugs, optimize performance and search visibility, and deploy updates.

BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as typical, but web development is known for valuing skill and portfolios. Many developers are self-taught or bootcamp-trained. A strong portfolio of real projects is the most important hiring asset.

Typical duties

Build web pages and applications from designs and requirements
Write HTML, CSS and JavaScript
Develop back-end services, APIs and databases
Make sites responsive, accessible and fast
Test, debug and fix issues
Use version control and deploy changes
Collaborate with designers, marketers and clients

Work environment and schedule

Web developers work for agencies, tech companies, corporations, government and as freelancers. The work is computer-based, and remote work is common.

Schedule: Usually full-time; deadlines and launches can mean extra hours. Freelancers set their own schedules.

A day in the life

9:00 AMStand-up meeting with the product team; review today’s tickets.
9:30 AMBuild a responsive pricing page component from the design file.
11:30 AMFix an accessibility issue so a form works with screen readers and keyboards.
1:00 PMConnect the signup form to the back-end API and handle errors.

See a full day in the life of a web developer →

Web Developer salary

Half of web developers earned more than $92,650 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $48,100 for the lowest 10% to $162,290 for the top 10%.

$48,10010th$92,650Median$162,29090th

Full web developer pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a web developer

Learn the fundamentals
Build projects
Learn a framework and Git
Get experience
Specialize

BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as typical, often in computer science or a related field. Many developers instead learn through bootcamps, online courses and self-study and are hired based on portfolios.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a web developer →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

HTML, CSS and JavaScript
A front-end framework such as React
Responsive design
Git and version control
APIs and back-end basics

People skills

Problem-solving
Attention to detail
Collaboration
Communicating with non-technical clients

All web developer skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Strong pay and remote options
Creative and technical work
Portfolio can matter more than a degree
Freelance and business opportunities

Cons

Competitive entry-level market
Constant learning as tools change
Long hours of screen time
Deadline pressure on launches

Certifications and licenses

Portfolio of projects: The most important hiring credential in web development.
Meta Front-End Developer Professional Certificate: An online program covering front-end fundamentals.
freeCodeCamp certifications: Free, project-based certifications.
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner: Cloud fundamentals for deploying web applications.

Career path

Junior Web Developer: Build features with guidance.
Web Developer: Own features and projects.
Senior or Full-Stack Developer: Lead technical decisions.
Tech Lead, Engineering Manager or Agency Owner: Lead teams or run a business.

Learn the job before day one

Our Web Developer training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as build a responsive layout with CSS grid and commit and push changes with Git, safety and how to land your first job.

View Web Developer training Is this career right for me?

Digital Marketing Specialist

Grow businesses online with search, ads, social media, email and analytics.

$78,760
6 months to 4 years

IT Support Specialist

Help people solve computer, account and network problems: the classic way into IT.

$61,860
3–6 months

Cybersecurity Analyst

Monitor, detect and respond to cyber threats that target an organization.

$129,180
1–4 years

Project Manager

Plan projects, lead teams and deliver results on time, on budget and in scope.

$102,320
1–4+ years

Compare: Web Developer vs. Digital Marketing Specialist · Web Developer vs. IT Support Specialist · Web Developer vs. Cybersecurity Analyst · Web Developer vs. Project Manager

Web Developer FAQ

Do web developers need a degree?

Not always. Many are hired based on skills and portfolios, though a degree is common and preferred by some employers.

How long does it take to learn web development?

Many people become job-ready in six months to two years of focused study and project work.

What’s the difference between front-end and back-end?

Front-end covers what users see in the browser; back-end covers servers, databases and APIs.

How much does a web developer make?

The median annual wage for web developers was $92,650 ($44.54 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $48,100 and the highest 10% earned more than $162,290.

How long does it take to become a web developer?

Most people need about 6 months to 4 years of training. BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as typical, often in computer science or a related field. Many developers instead learn through bootcamps, online courses and self-study and are hired based on portfolios.

Do you need a degree to be a web developer?

Not necessarily. BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as typical, but many web developers are self-taught or bootcamp-trained and get hired on the strength of a portfolio.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 15-1254 (Web developers).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Web developers (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Web Developer