What Web Developers Do

Web developers design and create websites. They are responsible for the look of the site. They are also responsible for the site’s technical aspects, such as its performance and capacity, which are measures of a website’s speed and how much traffic the site can handle. In addition, web developers may create content for the site.

Work Environment

About 1 in 7 of web developers were self-employed in 2014. Non-self-employed developers work primarily in the computer systems design and related services industry.

How to Become a Web Developer

The typical education needed to become a web developer is an associate’s degree in web design or related field. Web developers need knowledge of both programming and graphic design.

Job Outlook

Employment of web developers is projected to grow 27 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. Demand will be driven by the growing popularity of mobile devices and ecommerce.

Growth & Trends

This occupation supported 141,400 jobs in 2012 and 148,500 jobs in 2014, reflecting an increase of 5.0%. In 2012, this occupation was projected to increase by 20.2% in 2022 to 169,900 jobs. As of 2014, to keep pace with prediction, the expected number of jobs was 147,100, compared with an observed value of 148,500, 1.0% higher than expected. This indicates current employment trends are about on track with the 2012 trend within this occupation. In 2014, this occupation was projected to increase by 27.9% in 2024 to 188,000 jobs. Linear extrapolation of the 2012 projection for 2022 results in an expected number of 175,600 jobs for 2024, 6.6% lower than the 2014 projection for 2024. This indicates expectations for future employment trends are much better than the 2012 trend within this occupation.

Web Developers Employment and Labor Information 2023

Web Developers Employment Brief:

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.

Web Developers Job Description

Here is a Job Description an employer might post for potential Web Developers.

Web Developers Responsibilities and Duties:

• Develop system interaction or sequence diagrams.
• Back up files from Web sites to local directories for instant recovery in case of problems.
• Evaluate code to ensure that it is valid, is properly structured, meets industry standards, and is compatible with browsers, devices, or operating systems.
• Establish appropriate server directory trees.
• Communicate with network personnel or Web site hosting agencies to address hardware or software issues affecting Web sites.
• Install and configure hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) servers and associated operating systems.
• Provide clear, detailed descriptions of Web site specifications, such as product features, activities, software, communication protocols, programming languages, and operating systems software and hardware.
• Write supporting code for Web applications or Web sites.
• Create Web models or prototypes that include physical, interface, logical, or data models.
• Document technical factors such as server load, bandwidth, database performance, and browser and device types.

Typical Daily Tasks of Web Developers:

• Working with Computers: Configure computer networks. Create electronic data backup to prevent loss of information. Implement security measures for computer or information systems. Install computer hardware. Update website content. Write computer programming code.
• Getting Information: Conduct research to gain information about products or processes.
• Thinking Creatively: Create databases to store electronic data. Design websites or web applications. Develop diagrams or flow charts of system operation. Develop models of information or communications systems. Develop specifications or procedures for website development or maintenance.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Update knowledge about emerging industry or technology trends.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems.
• Processing Information.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Collaborate with others to develop or implement marketing strategies. Collaborate with others to resolve information technology issues.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events.
• Analyzing Data or Information: Analyze project data to determine specifications or requirements.

Web Developers Skills and Requirements:

• Technology Design Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs.
• SpreadsheetsUsing a computer application to enter, manipulate, and format text and numerical data; insert, delete, and manipulate cells, rows, and columns; and create and save worksheets, charts, and graphs.
• Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• Programming Writing computer programs for various purposes.
• Quality Control Analysis Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
• Installation Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.
• Negotiation Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
• Systems Evaluation Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
• Monitoring Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Operations Monitoring Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Web Developers Education and Training:

Typical education for include: Bachelor's degree.

Web Developers Salary, Wages, and Salary and Job Outlook

Web Developers average pay is: $37.78 per hour according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employees who work in Software Publishers are the highest paid making $64.70, while Computer Systems Design and Related Services make the least at $38.20 per hour.Here are the top city/metro areas with the highest paying salaries for a Web Developers: