The demand for web development professionals has surged in recent years and is projected to grow even further in the coming years. And because of that, web developer salaries are much higher than many other professions.
If you've been thinking about pursuing a tech career in website development and were wondering ''Is web development for me?'', this guide will be a good starting point for you. Continue reading to find out what the average entry-level web developer salary is.
Entry Level Web Developer Salary: How Much Does a Beginner Web Developer Make?
Based on information from indeed.com, the average salary of a web developer in the United States is $58,130 per year. On the other hand, according to glassdoor.com, the average salary for an entry-level web developer is $65,397. However, these numbers aren't that accurate because not all web developers perform the same job.
Typically, web developers specialize in either front-end or back-end website development, and the salaries of each of these specializations aren't the same. For instance, a front-end web developer's average salary in the United States could be around $76,929, while a junior back-end web developer's average salary might be $101,619.
As you can tell, the salary prospects for a back-end developer are better than that of a front-end developer. Some web developers are familiar with both disciplines, and in that case, the job title is "Full Stack Web Developer". Full-stack developers usually make more than web developers who niche in only front end or back end website development.
Keep in mind that many variables that affect these numbers, like state, city, and industry. It's also worth noting that even entry-level web developer jobs may require several years of experience, even if that experience is in the form of internships or freelancing gigs.
An average entry-level web developer could make anywhere from $40,000 per year all the way up to $120,000 per year in the United States, based on skills, experience, and industry. The location of the business matters, too. For instance, an entry-level developer earns $65,000+ per year in Chicago and New York, while the average web developer salary in Minneapolis hovers around $53,000 per year.
Also, skills matter. For instance, a developer who has mastered 4-5 languages will make more than an entry-level web developer with one or two languages.
What Is a Good Entry Level Salary for Web Developers?
A decent entry-level salary for developers in the United States shouldn't be less than $43,000 per year. Nevertheless, as we've mentioned earlier, many factors come into play, especially the industry you want to work in. For example, working as a web developer for a real estate company earn you a higher salary than designing a website for a small e-commerce store.
What About Senior Web Developers?
As you progress through your career, your salary as a web developer will increase as you learn new things and work on more projects.
Based on statistical data analysis conducted by glassdoor.com, the average senior web developer salary in the United States hovers around $87,700 per year, which is $20,000+ more than what an entry-level web developer makes. Of course, this number varies depending on the number of years of experience.
Is There a High Demand for Web Developers?
Web and software developers are highly in demand in almost all parts of the world, explaining why this field's salaries have skyrocketed. Businesses have realized that they'll never be able to grow and scale without having a robust presence on the web through both websites and social media channels.
It's also worth noting that geographical boundaries don't restrict web and software development. A web developer can work remotely with an overseas company.
Starting a Career in Website Development in the United States
Just like with any other profession, employers look for specific soft and hard skills that web development candidates must possess. If you want to get started with an entry-level web developer job, here are some of the most sought after skills that companies need:
Soft Skills
There are several soft skills that you must have if you want to build a successful website development career in the United States, including:
Creativity and Problem Solving
A web developer is a creator, and creating unique websites continuously isn't something you can master without developing your creative thinking skills. Don't be afraid to test new ideas and tackle problems differently because problems in the tech world usually don't have a straightforward solution.
Communication & Collaboration
Web developers almost never work alone. As a web developer, you'll be working with other web developers, clients, cross-functional team members, and stakeholders. Being able to communicate effectively with all these parties is essential for success.
English Proficiency
Web developers work with clients and companies worldwide, which means that English proficiency is a must in this field, and that applies to both written and spoken English. That's especially so if you're intending to focus purely on remote work or freelancing.
Eagerness to Learn
Website development is changing and evolving at a swift pace. It's not something that you can learn in a defined period and forget about it. That's why you need to develop a continuous learning mindset to stay competitive.
Hard Skills
Along with soft skills, here are the most prominent web development hard skills in the United States that would give you an edge in the world of web development:
Mastering Programming Languages
Being proficient in languages like HTML, CSS, PHP, and JavaScript is key to a successful website development career. Countless online programs that teach these languages – just make sure to apply what you learn because you can't learn coding by merely watching videos and tutorials.
Testing and Debugging Skills
Coding a website isn't a simple as writing a few lines of code. It's undeniable that your code will have many bugs, which means you need to test and debug your website throughout various development stages. Learning about Agile and Scrum best practices can help you write cleaner code more efficiently.
Familiarity With Graphic Design
While web developers rarely need to use graphic design software, web developers often need to collaborate with web designers in mega projects.
Basic Understanding of SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
SEO is all about optimizing a website to make it user-friendly for search engines to rank it in the top results. As a web developer, you need to be aware of SEO's technical aspects to give the website maximum organic visibility in search engine results.
Responsive Design Skills
Responsive design is about creating websites that can be viewed on desktop and mobile devices with various screen sizes and resolutions without affecting the user experience. With a considerable portion of all web traffic coming from mobile devices, designing responsiveness and mobile-friendly websites has become necessary.
Website Development Jobs and Career Prospects in the United States
Website development job openings aren't always in the form of full-time vacancies. In fact, many web developers work as freelancers or contractors. Here are the 3 most common web development job titles in the United States:
Front End Web Developer
A front-end web developer is concerned with coding what the user actually sees when they visit the website. Elements like pages, forms, and menus are all coded by front-end web developers using programming languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Back End Web Developer
Unlike front-end developers, back-end developers focus on the back end of a website, consisting of the database, server, and application.
Full Stack Web Developer
A full-stack web developer is familiar with both front-end and back-end website development, so you shouldn't give one attention over the other.
Do You Need a College Degree to Get a Website Development Job With a Good Salary?
There's a common misconception that decent website development vacancies are available only for degree holders, but that's not true. Many web developers are self-taught and still get jobs that pay well.
The field is more dependent on application than theory, which explains why a college degree isn't the only way in. Employers are willing to pay high salaries to skilled web developers whether they have a college degree or not.
You can teach yourself website development with online learning courses and programs. To make sure that you research each course well, look for information about its learning outcomes and whether the students who took the college could find jobs later on or not. Best way to go is to check out our web development courses reviews.
Final Thoughts
That's it for now! We hope that you've developed better awareness about the beginner-level web developer salary range. It's essential to take the time to research the job market before deciding on a career path like web development, and knowing the average salary or compensation for juniors and seniors according to years of experience, companies, and locations is an excellent place to start.
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