Career profile · 15-1254
Web Developers
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.
What the work can involve
- 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.
Selected core tasks from O*NET 31.0. Responsibilities vary by employer, specialization and experience.
Preparation and entry routes
This broad O*NET group commonly involves vocational training, related experience or an associate-level route. It does not mean every course in a related subject meets the requirements.
Check the route for the specific occupation where you plan to work. Education, employer experience requirements, occupational licensing and industry certification can be separate steps.
Understand the different credentials →Skills used in this occupation
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
- Active Listening
- Speaking
Selected from the highest importance ratings available in O*NET 31.0. These describe the occupation, not a particular school's curriculum.
Knowledge to build
- Computers and Electronics
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Communications and Media
- Customer and Personal Service
Selected from the highest importance ratings available in O*NET 31.0. These describe the occupation, not a particular school's curriculum.
Common work activities
- Working with Computers
- Getting Information
- Thinking Creatively
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Selected from the highest importance ratings available in O*NET 31.0. These describe the occupation, not a particular school's curriculum.
Training subjects to investigate
The federal education-to-occupation crosswalk connects this role to the subjects below. These links do not endorse a school or guarantee that any particular award qualifies a graduate for the job.
Working conditions to consider
These are the most common published responses to selected O*NET work-setting questions. They describe occupation-level survey findings, not every employer or a particular job.
| Work-setting question | Most common response | Share giving that response |
|---|---|---|
| Contact With Others | Constant contact with others | 37.5%07/2017 · sample 24 |
| Exposed to Contaminants | Never | 91.7%07/2017 · sample 24 |
| Exposed to Disease or Infections | Never | 95.8%07/2017 · sample 24 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Conditions | Never | 100.0%07/2017 · sample 23 |
| Spend Time Sitting | Continually or almost continually | 79.2%07/2017 · sample 24 |
| Spend Time Standing | Less than half the time | 50.0%07/2017 · sample 24 |
| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | Continually or almost continually | 41.7%07/2017 · sample 24 |
| Time Pressure | Once a week or more but not every day | 58.3%07/2017 · sample 24 |
| Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets | Never | 95.8%07/2017 · sample 24 |
| Work Schedules | Regular (established routine, set schedule) | 75.0%07/2017 · sample 24 |
O*NET 31.0 Work Context, selected topics. Only unsuppressed source responses with sample size at least 10 are shown. A most-common response need not be a majority. Sampling uncertainty applies; source dates vary. Ask employers about actual schedules, accessibility, protective equipment and working conditions.
Software used in the workplace
Use these O*NET examples to ask how a course builds practical digital skills. They are workplace examples, not a required shopping list or confirmation of a school’s curriculum.
- Analytical or scientific software: IBM SPSS Statistics, SAS, The MathWorks MATLAB
- Application server software: Atlassian Bitbucket, Docker, GitHub, Kubernetes
- Business intelligence and data analysis software: IBM Cognos Impromptu, MicroStrategy, Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition, Qlik Tech QlikView
- Cloud-based data access and sharing software: Dropbox, Google Drive, Slack
- Cloud-based management software: Amazon Web Services AWS CloudFormation, Google Cloud software, IBM WebSphere, Splunk Enterprise
- Communications server software: IBM Domino
- Computer based training software: Moodle
- Configuration management software: Chef, Perforce Helix software, Puppet
- Content workflow software: Atlassian JIRA, Sitecore CMS
- Customer relationship management CRM software: Oracle Eloqua, Salesforce software
- Data base management system software: Amazon DynamoDB, Amazon Kinesis, Apache Cassandra, Apache Hadoop
- Data base reporting software: Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services SSRS, SAP Crystal Reports
Selected categories and examples from O*NET 31.0 Software Skills. Products and employer requirements change. These examples are not endorsements; check the complete official occupation profile.
Pay & employment outlook
Salary estimates for web developers
The median divides workers into two equally sized groups by pay. It is not a starting salary, a school’s graduate outcome or a promise of employment. Lower percentiles are not automatically new graduates.
National outlook: 2025–2035
- Typical education for entry
- Bachelor's degree
- Related work experience
- None
- Typical on-the-job training
- None
BLS national employment projections, 2025–2035. Openings include people leaving occupations or the labor force; these are not advertised vacancies. Education categories describe typical entry, not legal eligibility or a guarantee that any specific program is sufficient.
Compare wages across 49 state/DC estimates
| State | Annual median | Hourly median | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Not published | Not published | 930 |
| Arizona | $76,230 | $36.65 | 1,010 |
| Arkansas | $50,550 | $24.30 | 400 |
| California | $119,570 | $57.48 | 7,320 |
| Colorado | $85,950 | $41.32 | 1,680 |
| Connecticut | $85,930 | $41.31 | 750 |
| Delaware | $76,020 | $36.55 | Not published |
| District of Columbia | $114,690 | $55.14 | 430 |
| Georgia | $90,340 | $43.43 | 1,500 |
| Hawaii | Not published | Not published | 310 |
| Idaho | $79,290 | $38.12 | 220 |
| Illinois | $84,820 | $40.78 | 4,310 |
| Indiana | $80,870 | $38.88 | 860 |
| Iowa | $64,210 | $30.87 | 420 |
| Kansas | $73,590 | $35.38 | 500 |
| Kentucky | $82,630 | $39.73 | 270 |
| Louisiana | $85,330 | $41.03 | 490 |
| Maine | Not published | Not published | 170 |
| Maryland | $112,690 | $54.18 | 1,960 |
| Massachusetts | $98,470 | $47.34 | 1,940 |
| Michigan | $98,470 | $47.34 | 1,580 |
| Minnesota | $101,020 | $48.57 | 1,200 |
| Mississippi | Not published | Not published | 190 |
| Missouri | $103,750 | $49.88 | 1,160 |
| Montana | $62,060 | $29.84 | 550 |
| Nebraska | $80,350 | $38.63 | 230 |
| Nevada | $83,220 | $40.01 | 340 |
| New Hampshire | $78,260 | $37.63 | 470 |
| New Jersey | $95,180 | $45.76 | 2,250 |
| New Mexico | $68,120 | $32.75 | 130 |
| New York | $98,580 | $47.39 | 3,990 |
| North Carolina | $96,610 | $46.45 | 2,030 |
| North Dakota | $72,190 | $34.71 | Not published |
| Ohio | Not published | Not published | 1,690 |
| Oklahoma | $78,580 | $37.78 | 410 |
| Oregon | $64,460 | $30.99 | 1,140 |
| Pennsylvania | $86,380 | $41.53 | 1,670 |
| Rhode Island | $98,140 | $47.18 | Not published |
| South Carolina | $78,190 | $37.59 | 710 |
| South Dakota | $51,100 | $24.57 | 390 |
| Tennessee | $74,760 | $35.94 | 1,620 |
| Texas | $85,800 | $41.25 | 4,910 |
| Utah | $100,170 | $48.16 | 1,280 |
| Vermont | $84,550 | $40.65 | 70 |
| Virginia | $128,380 | $61.72 | 4,590 |
| Washington | $130,440 | $62.71 | 4,430 |
| West Virginia | $78,240 | $37.62 | 400 |
| Wisconsin | $90,630 | $43.57 | 1,180 |
| Wyoming | $68,410 | $32.89 | 50 |
Metropolitan and nonmetropolitan wages
Search the 202 published local-area estimates for this occupation. Metropolitan areas can cross state lines; a city’s postal name is not necessarily the statistical area’s name.
Sources: BLS May 2025 OEWS public downloads and 2025–2035 employment projections, retrieved September 9, 2026. Unpublished estimates stay unavailable. “+” means BLS’s upper reporting threshold ($239,200 annually or $115 hourly). Wages exclude self-employment and nonwage benefits. How to interpret these figures.
Compare the route and prepare for work
Questions to test the fit
- What does an entry-level working day look like, and how does it differ from the experienced role described here?
- Which tasks, work environments and schedules would I enjoy or find difficult?
- What education, supervised practice and credentials do local employers actually request?
- Can I speak with someone in the occupation or arrange a suitable workplace visit?
- How does the complete training cost compare with my realistic budget and available routes?
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Related through shared training-subject mappings. Entry requirements can differ substantially.
Sources and attribution
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. Trade School Guides selects and organizes the material and adds explanatory guidance. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these modifications. Occupation code: 15-1254.00.
Training connections: CIP 2020–SOC 2018 crosswalk. Snapshot: September 8, 2026. See the methodology.