Web developer workforce and salary statistics

How many web developers are there in the US?

• The US had about 86,000 web developers in 2024, per the BLS.
• Including the roughly 128,900 web and digital interface designers, the broader group totals about 215,000.
• Most work full time, often blending programming and design skills.
• Education ranges from a high school diploma to a bachelor’s degree.
• BLS also counts some self-employed workers, but official occupation totals still depend on how web development work is classified.

The headcount depends on definition. BLS counts about 86,000 in the narrow “web developer” role, while the broader web developer and digital designer category totals about 215,000 jobs.

What is the average web developer salary?

• The median web developer earned $90,930 a year as of May 2024.
• Web and digital interface designers earned a higher median of $98,090.
• Both sit well above the all-occupation median of $49,500.
• The top 10% of web developers earned more than $162,870 annually.
• Pay varies widely by location, skills and experience.

Web development remains a well-paid career. At nearly double the national median wage, it rewards a skill set that ranges from coding to design, with the top 10% of earners clearing $160,000 as they specialize or move into senior roles.

How fast is web developer employment growing?

• Combined employment for web developers and digital designers is projected to grow 7% from 2024 to 2034.
• That is more than double the 3% average for all occupations.
• About 14,500 openings are projected each year over the decade for the combined occupation.
• The current projection still points to faster-than-average growth, but it is more moderate than some earlier web-development outlooks.
• Growth is driven by e-commerce, mobile and businesses moving online.

The field is still growing faster than most. The current 2024-2034 outlook points to demand from ecommerce expansion and continued mobile web use.

How many software and web developers are there worldwide?

Note: global developer counts vary enormously by definition, so these are estimates from different studies.

• Estimates of the global developer population range widely by source and definition.
• An older Evans Data projection expected the professional-developer population to reach 28.7 million by 2024, while a later Evans Data 2024 release put the worldwide developer population at about 27 million.
• SlashData’s broader 2025 estimate puts the global developer population at about 47.2 million.
• SlashData separately estimates about 36.5 million professional developers as of early 2025, up from 21.8 million in 2022.
• SlashData estimates Greater China at about 5.8 million developers in 2025, nearly tripling since 2022, while South Asia is about 7.5 million.

The wide range comes down to who counts as a developer. Narrow definitions count only professionals, while broader ones include students, hobbyists and part-time coders, which is why global figures can nearly double depending on the study.

How does web developer pay vary by state and experience?

• Web developer pay varies by state, metro area, industry, skill set and experience.
• BLS reported a $90,930 median annual wage for web developers in May 2024.
• The lowest 10% earned less than about $48,560.
• The highest 10% earned more than $162,870.
• For state and metro comparisons, use the current BLS OEWS or O*NET state wage tables, since local pay data updates separately from the OOH profile.

Geography, industry, skill set and experience can all affect pay. BLS reports a wide national wage range for web developers, from less than $48,560 for the lowest 10% to more than $162,870 for the highest 10%. See our cost to build a website research.

What is the job outlook for web developers?

• The outlook is positive, with 7% combined growth projected through 2034.
• Roughly 14,500 openings are expected each year for the combined occupation.
• Many openings come from replacing workers who leave the field.
• BLS expects demand to be supported by ecommerce expansion and continued mobile web use.
• Workers with current programming, design and problem-solving skills are best positioned for the changing web-development market.

The career remains solid but competitive. BLS still projects faster-than-average growth for web developers and digital designers, with openings coming from both employment growth and the need to replace workers who leave the occupation. See our how many websites research.

Sources & additional resources

• US Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Web Developers and Digital Designers.” Occupational Outlook Handbook.
• US Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Web Developers Occupational Employment and Wages.” BLS OEWS.
• O*NET OnLine. “Web Developers.” O*NET OnLine.
• Evans Data. “Worldwide Developer Population Grows to 27 Million.” Evans Data Corporation.
• Evans Data. “Worldwide Professional Developer Population of 24 Million Projected to Grow amid Shifting Geographical Concentrations.” Evans Data Corporation.
• SlashData. “Global Developer Population Trends 2025: How Many Developers Are There?.” SlashData.
• Statista. “Worldwide Developer Population.” Statista.
• US Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Computer and Information Technology Occupations.” Occupational Outlook Handbook.

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