Web developers

SOC Code: 15-1254
Also known as:
Back End Developer, Back End Engineer, Back End Software Engineer, Back-End Web Developer, Computer Graphic Artist
Median Annual Salary
$90,930
+7.5% growth (2024-2034)
5K
Openings/Year
86K
Current Jobs

What Web developers Do

Develop and implement websites, web applications, application databases, and interactive web interfaces. Evaluate code to ensure that it is properly structured, meets industry standards, and is compatible with browsers and devices. Optimize website performance, scalability, and server-side code and processes. May develop website infrastructure and integrate websites with other computer applications.

💰 Salary

$90,930
Median annual wage (2024)

📈 Job Growth

+7.5%
Faster than average

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree
Typical entry-level requirement

🚀 Annual Openings

5K
Projected average per year

Employment Projections (2024-2034)

Current Employment (2024)

86,000

Projected Employment (2034)

92,500

Related Careers

Database administrators

$104,620 • -0.7% growth

Computer programmers

$98,670 • -6.0% growth

Software developers

$133,080 • +15.8% growth

Computer occupations, all other

$108,970 • +8.2% growth

Top Skills Required

Programming
Critical Thinking
Reading Comprehension
Complex Problem Solving
Operations Analysis

Daily Tasks & Responsibilities

  • Write supporting code for Web applications or Web sites.
  • Design, build, or maintain Web sites, using authoring or scripting languages, content creation tools, management tools, and digital media.
  • Back up files from Web sites to local directories for instant recovery in case of problems.
  • Select programming languages, design tools, or applications.
  • Evaluate code to ensure that it is valid, is properly structured, meets industry standards, and is compatible with browsers, devices, or operating systems.
  • Develop databases that support Web applications and Web sites.
  • Perform Web site tests according to planned schedules, or after any Web site or product revision.
  • Perform or direct Web site updates.
  • Maintain understanding of current Web technologies or programming practices through continuing education, reading, or participation in professional conferences, workshops, or groups.
  • Analyze user needs to determine technical requirements.

Technology & Tools

Adobe Acrobat Adobe After Effects Adobe Creative Cloud software Adobe Illustrator Adobe InDesign Adobe Photoshop AJAX Amazon DynamoDB Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud EC2 Amazon Redshift

📚 Entry-Level Education

Bachelor's degree
Most common requirement

🎯 Recommended Education

Bachelor's Degree
O*NET recommended level

Degree Programs for Web developers

These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a web developers:

Computer Science

79,857 degrees awarded • 1,001 colleges offer this program

Computer Programming/Programmer, General

11,341 degrees awarded • 390 colleges offer this program

Web Page, Digital/Multimedia and Information Resources Design

5,236 degrees awarded • 343 colleges offer this program

Web/Multimedia Management and Webmaster

760 degrees awarded • 84 colleges offer this program

Best Colleges for Becoming a Web developers

Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become web developers.

# College Location Related Degrees Repit Grade
1 University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA 514 A+
2 University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA 1,533 A
3 University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA 940 A
4 Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NY 919 A
5 Cornell University Ithaca, NY 874 A
6 University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA 854 A
7 Stanford University Stanford, CA 828 A
8 University of California-Irvine Irvine, CA 811 A
9 Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA 688 A
10 Boston University Boston, MA 646 A
11 Duke University Durham, NC 484 A
12 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC 454 A
13 Brown University Providence, RI 448 A
14 University of Chicago Chicago, IL 429 A
15 University of Georgia Athens, GA 388 A
16 Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA 370 A
17 Harvard University Cambridge, MA 366 A
18 Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN 351 A
19 Washington University in St Louis Saint Louis, MO 333 A
20 Tufts University Medford, MA 313 A

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much do web developers make?
The median annual salary for web developers is $90,930.
What education do web developers need?
Most web developers positions require a bachelor's degree. Common degree programs include Computer Science, Computer Programming/Programmer, General, Web Page, Digital/Multimedia and Information Resources Design.
Is becoming web developers a good career choice?
Web developers is projected to see +7.5% job growth from 2024 to 2034, which is faster than average for all occupations. With approximately 5,400 job openings expected annually, there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for web developers?
Top colleges for aspiring web developers include University of California-Los Angeles, University of Southern California, University of California-Berkeley, Columbia University in the City of New York, Cornell University. These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to web developers?
Web developers may also be known as: Back End Developer, Back End Engineer, Back End Software Engineer, Back-End Web Developer, Computer Graphic Artist, Computer Graphic Designer, Front End Developer, Front End Engineer, Front End Software Engineer, Front End Web Developer, Full Stack Developer, Full Stack Web Developer, HTML Developer (HyperText Markup Language Developer), Interface Designer, Internet Application Developer, Internet Architect, Internet Developer, Internet Site Designer, Internet Specialist, Intranet Developer. These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.