Web development is a good career path for people who enjoy problem-solving and building things online. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), web developers and digital designers earned a median of $99,520 a year in 2025, and employment is projected to grow 5% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations, with about 13,600 openings each year.
Key Takeaways
- The BLS counted 220,100 web developer and digital designer jobs in the US in 2025 and projects 5% growth from 2025 to 2035.
- Median pay in May 2025 was $92,650 for web developers and $104,000 for web and digital interface designers (BLS).
- Self-employment is common: 18% of web developers and 13% of digital designers were self-employed, according to the BLS.
- A bachelor’s degree is typical, but the BLS notes that some employers accept prior work experience or projects in place of formal credentials.
- The BLS warns that better development tools and AI adoption may moderate hiring growth, so strong skills and a portfolio matter more than ever.
Choosing a career path to pursue is never an easy decision. Having a healthy career is a combination of market demand and pursuing what you love to do.
As the world of technology is rapidly changing, the IT industry’s software development is becoming a growing industry that provides a slew of career opportunities.
In this article, we’ve provided a list of reasons why you should consider a career in web development.
Attractive salary packages with endless job opportunities
The web development field is projected to keep growing.
While remuneration may vary depending on skills, previous experience, and job roles in the company, many companies offer attractive salary packages with high growth to website developers.
Whether you’re an HTML and CSS specialist or a PHP expert, employers hire for both front-end and back-end skills, although a degree alone does not guarantee a well-paid job; a portfolio of real projects usually matters as much.
Once you’ve become good at what you do and built expertise in your field, the range of roles open to you widens considerably. There are many positions that you can apply for in the industry. The BLS projects employment of web developers and digital designers to grow 5% from 2025 to 2035, driven largely by e-commerce, while noting that better tools and AI may moderate hiring growth.
Profits from your own projects
Having a job in the web development industry allows you to create websites you can gain profit from. Even if you work at a large web development firm that mainly builds client sites, you can still build your own projects in your spare time, as long as your employment contract allows side work. Personal sites can earn money through advertising, subscriptions or selling products, but income varies widely and is never guaranteed.
Gain experience in various industries
Web development gives you the chance to practice in a job that you’re good at, as you learn valuable skills in building websites. For example, a web designer who spends most of their time in design software such as Adobe Photoshop often picks up HTML, CSS and a programming language such as PHP or JavaScript over time. Because almost every sector needs websites, the same skills can be used in retail, finance, media, education and many other industries.
Freelance opportunities
Many web designers and developers pursue freelance work which allows you to work remotely, anywhere in the world, as long as you have a laptop and a stable internet connection. Expert web developers greatly benefit from it, giving them more freedom when it comes to where, when and how they work.
Being able to work independently allows you to score more gigs in addition to your full-time job. The opportunity will enable you to create more web applications, themes, digital products and website which you can monetize.
In fact, even an extra hour or two a day can be enough to create WordPress themes, and even land gigs on freelancing marketplaces such as Upwork, Freelancer and Fiverr. You have the opportunity to work at your own schedule, choose important projects, and set your own rates.
You can sell your work online
As a developer, there’s no need to ship or package your products to your customers. All you have to do is push your code to the host server. Then, run it from there.
Moreover, you can do remote consulting work, creating websites from scratch and selling them to different marketplaces. Making your own digital products such as WordPress themes gives you the chance to sell them online.
As web technologies have matured, it has become relatively straightforward to publish an application to mobile app stores such as the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. As of October 2026, Google charges a one-time US$25 registration fee for a Play developer account, and the Apple Developer Program costs US$99 a year. It allows you to access a huge market out there, with endless business opportunities.
Once launched, a successful product can become a source of passive income, although most products need ongoing updates, support and marketing to keep earning.
To top it off, you’ll eventually learn to master your web applications and web development skills.
You can make use of plenty of framework and tools that fit your style
Tools and frameworks make it easy for you to get the job done in a variety of ways. Of course, this can also depend on the type of platform that you choose.
But in general, major web development platforms have supportive communities that can give you plenty of support and tools to help you hone your craft. As a result, beginners can find tutorials, documentation and help forums for almost any problem, which makes it easier to start a career in web development.
The bottom line
There are plenty of opportunities waiting for you if you want to pursue a career in web development. Either you want to be an entrepreneur, a freelance website designer, or a full-time website developer, the web development industry has a lot to offer.
So, if you want to go down this career path, you have to learn as many skills as you can to pursue a successful career in web development.
What Does a Web Developer Do?
A web developer builds and maintains websites and web applications. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) groups the work into a few distinct roles:
- Back-end web developers are responsible for the overall technical construction of a website: they create its basic framework and make sure it works as expected.
- Front-end web developers create the technical features for a site’s look, building the layout and integrating graphics, applications such as a retail checkout tool, and other content.
- Webmasters maintain and update websites and test for errors such as broken links.
- Web and digital interface designers create the look and feel of a site or interface: photos, color, fonts, graphics and layout.
Developers who work across both the front end and the back end are commonly called full-stack developers. For a look at the server-side tools involved, see our guide to the best back-end frameworks for web development.
Web Developer Salary and Job Outlook
The figures below come from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook (page last modified August 2026) and describe the United States. Pay in other countries differs considerably.
| Measure (BLS) | Web developers | Web and digital interface designers |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage, May 2025 | $92,650 | $104,000 |
| Lowest 10% earned less than | $48,100 | $53,750 |
| Highest 10% earned more than | $162,290 | $201,550 |
| Share self-employed | 18% | 13% |
| Largest employer group | Computer systems design (21%) | Information (27%) |
Taken together, the occupation had 220,100 jobs in 2025 and a combined median pay of $99,520 a year ($47.85 an hour). The BLS projects employment to grow 5% from 2025 to 2035, adding 11,300 jobs, with about 13,600 openings a year once retirements and job changes are included.
Industry matters. According to the BLS, web developers in the information sector earned a median of $119,940 in 2025, against $88,690 in computer systems design. Digital interface designers in finance and insurance earned a median of $133,260.
How to Become a Web Developer
- Learn the core technologies. Start with HTML for structure, CSS for styling and JavaScript for interactivity. Mozilla’s free MDN Learn Web Development curriculum covers HTML, CSS, JavaScript, accessibility, design for developers, version control and a JavaScript framework (React).
- Pick a direction. Decide whether front-end, back-end or full-stack work suits you, then learn a back-end language and framework if you go beyond the front end.
- Use version control. Git and a public code repository let employers see how you work.
- Build a portfolio. The BLS notes that education requirements range from a high school diploma to a bachelor’s degree, and that some candidates substitute prior work experience or projects for formal credentials if they can demonstrate their abilities.
- Choose a learning route. A computer science degree, a coding bootcamp or self-study can all work; compare options in our guide to the best bootcamps for coding.
- Develop soft skills. The BLS lists communication, creativity, customer service, attention to detail and problem-solving as important qualities for the role.
Is Web Development Still Worth It With AI?
Web development remains a growing occupation, but the BLS states that advances in web development tools and the adoption of artificial intelligence may moderate hiring growth by making each worker more productive. In practice, developers benefit from learning to use these tools well and from building skills that automation handles poorly, such as understanding client needs, accessibility, security and design judgment. Our article on how AI is changing career paths and job skills looks at this shift in more detail.
Freelance vs Full-Time Web Development
| Factor | Full-time employee | Freelancer |
|---|---|---|
| Income | Regular salary, often with benefits | Varies with clients and rates |
| Schedule and location | Set by the employer | Chosen by the freelancer |
| Finding work | Handled by the employer | Marketplaces, referrals and networking |
| Extra tasks | Mostly technical work | Invoicing, taxes, contracts and sales |
If freelancing appeals to you, read about the essential skills for freelance web developers and compare the best freelancing websites before you start bidding for projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is web development a good career?
Web development is a good career for many people. The BLS reports a 2025 median pay of $99,520 for web developers and digital designers and projects 5% job growth from 2025 to 2035, faster than average, though AI and better tools may moderate hiring.
How much do web developers earn?
Web developers in the US earned a median of $92,650 in May 2025, according to the BLS. The lowest 10% earned less than $48,100 and the highest 10% more than $162,290.
Do you need a degree to become a web developer?
A degree is not always required. The BLS says a bachelor’s degree is typical, but requirements range from a high school diploma upward, and some employers accept prior work experience or projects instead of formal credentials.
What languages should a beginner web developer learn first?
A beginner web developer should learn HTML, CSS and JavaScript first. These three technologies form the core of Mozilla’s free MDN Learn Web Development curriculum, which then moves on to accessibility, version control and the React framework.
Can web developers work as freelancers?
Yes, web developers can work as freelancers. The BLS reports that 18% of web developers were self-employed, and marketplaces such as Upwork, Freelancer and Fiverr connect freelancers with clients.
What is the difference between front-end and back-end development?
Front-end development covers what users see, such as layout, graphics and interactive features. Back-end development covers the technical construction behind the site, creating its basic framework and making sure everything works as expected.
