Web developers design, build, and maintain websites and web applications. You'll work with code and creative problem-solving every day. Most roles require a bachelor's degree, but the field values what you can build and demonstrate.
Pathly builds you a free, personalized roadmap and helps your counselor champion you along the way.
Web developers write code to create and update websites and applications that people use every day. You'll spend time thinking through design challenges, researching new tools and languages, and making decisions about how to solve technical problems. The work involves reading and understanding existing code, communicating with team members and clients about what's needed, and staying current with how technology changes. You'll test your work, fix bugs, and make sure everything runs smoothly.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Web Developers earn a median of $92,650 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is strong. Employment is projected to grow 8 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than average for all occupations, with about 5,400 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
Most web developer roles expect a bachelor's degree in computer science, web development, or a related field. During your studies, you'll learn programming languages, web design principles, and how to work with databases and servers. Beyond the degree, building a portfolio of projects you've created matters. Many developers also pursue ongoing learning through online courses and certifications to keep up with new frameworks and tools. Starting with internships or entry-level positions helps you gain real-world experience.
You can pursue a traditional four-year degree or explore accelerated programs and bootcamps, depending on your timeline and learning style. Talk through what path fits your situation with your counselor, then use Pathly can map the web developer path that fits you to map out the steps ahead.
You do not need a license to work as a web developer, but professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
You're detail-oriented and systematic in how you approach problems. You like working with data and processes, and you communicate clearly in writing and conversation.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
Start with a quick quiz and assessments that surface your personality, your EQ, and what really motivates you, so your next steps are built around who you actually are.
Your free AI guide weighs this career against your strengths and goals, and surfaces the colleges, trades, and scholarships that match, so you know if it truly fits before you commit.
Get a personalized, step-by-step plan to reach this career, with the training, coursework, and credentials tracked in one place. Link your school or IEC and your counselor in the loop.
Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).