Web Developers
Also called: Web Architect, Web Design Specialist, Web Developer, WebmasterDevelop 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.
On a phone, press and hold a picture to save it to Photos.
opens your phone's share sheet, where you can save both to Photos
What the data says: AI could halve the time on 28 of its 29 tasks, yet jobs are projected to grow 3.8% by 2035. In the most exposed occupations, the squeeze shows up first among early-career workers. How to think about this →
About this projection
BLS builds AI into its projections where the research supports it: “BLS generally applies adjustments based on this research conservatively, where there is convincing evidence for a change.”
It also notes a limit: “BLS projection methods are not designed to capture extremely rapid technological change.”
On its AI exposure groups, BLS says exposure “does not imply job loss.”
Recent conditions
- In 2024, 4.6% of people in this work were unemployed, against 3.8% across all occupations Census ACS 2024
- From Sep 2025 to Aug 2026, 7.9 hires for every 10 job openings in professional and business services, which employs about 53% of people in this work, against 7.3 across all industries BLS JOLTS
One box per opening, filled for each hire; hires beyond the openings are added in a lighter shade. Higher can mean openings get filled, or that people leave often; lower, that jobs go unfilled, or hiring is slow.7.9 this industry7.3 all industries
Median pay by state BLS OEWS May 2025, state estimates
Tap a state for its figures.
Median pay in every state
| State | Median | Middle half earn | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | not published | not published | 930 |
| Arizona | $76,230 | $59,180 to $105,010 | 1,010 |
| Arkansas | $50,550 | $45,190 to $67,290 | 400 |
| California | $119,570 | $80,620 to $159,040 | 7,320 |
| Colorado | $85,950 | $63,520 to $106,320 | 1,680 |
| Connecticut | $85,930 | $64,460 to $106,950 | 750 |
| Delaware | $76,020 | $69,800 to $89,290 | not published |
| District of Columbia | $114,690 | $91,840 to $137,650 | 430 |
| Georgia | $90,340 | $64,560 to $107,060 | 1,500 |
| Hawaii | not published | not published | 310 |
| Idaho | $79,290 | $61,240 to $97,010 | 220 |
| Illinois | $84,820 | $71,990 to $117,100 | 4,310 |
| Indiana | $80,870 | $62,310 to $100,140 | 860 |
| Iowa | $64,210 | $57,720 to $89,920 | 420 |
| Kansas | $73,590 | $59,600 to $96,980 | 500 |
| Kentucky | $82,630 | $66,320 to $103,870 | 270 |
| Louisiana | $85,330 | $66,340 to $89,350 | 490 |
| Maine | not published | not published | 170 |
| Maryland | $112,690 | $84,550 to $129,840 | 1,960 |
| Massachusetts | $98,470 | $80,520 to $135,110 | 1,940 |
| Michigan | $98,470 | $62,830 to $117,880 | 1,580 |
| Minnesota | $101,020 | $72,510 to $128,470 | 1,200 |
| Mississippi | not published | not published | 190 |
| Missouri | $103,750 | $83,120 to $125,610 | 1,160 |
| Montana | $62,060 | $62,060 to $68,650 | 550 |
| Nebraska | $80,350 | $56,170 to $100,690 | 230 |
| Nevada | $83,220 | $55,060 to $121,240 | 340 |
| New Hampshire | $78,260 | $61,480 to $110,190 | 470 |
| New Jersey | $95,180 | $55,580 to $124,560 | 2,250 |
| New Mexico | $68,120 | $54,930 to $86,880 | 130 |
| New York | $98,580 | $56,320 to $132,820 | 3,990 |
| North Carolina | $96,610 | $72,890 to $122,540 | 2,030 |
| North Dakota | $72,190 | $60,580 to $82,750 | not published |
| Ohio | not published | not published | 1,690 |
| Oklahoma | $78,580 | $54,070 to $96,130 | 410 |
| Oregon | $64,460 | $50,690 to $93,280 | 1,140 |
| Pennsylvania | $86,380 | $61,520 to $104,700 | 1,670 |
| Puerto Rico | $46,020 | $36,560 to $72,400 | 210 |
| Rhode Island | $98,140 | $93,290 to $104,530 | not published |
| South Carolina | $78,190 | $61,760 to $102,100 | 710 |
| South Dakota | $51,100 | $47,540 to $59,280 | 390 |
| Tennessee | $74,760 | $57,710 to $104,270 | 1,620 |
| Texas | $85,800 | $61,960 to $118,980 | 4,910 |
| Utah | $100,170 | $66,010 to $131,220 | 1,280 |
| Vermont | $84,550 | $79,120 to $110,130 | 70 |
| Virginia | $128,380 | $99,990 to $161,190 | 4,590 |
| Washington | $130,440 | $98,830 to $131,030 | 4,430 |
| West Virginia | $78,240 | $63,060 to $79,280 | 400 |
| Wisconsin | $90,630 | $66,510 to $119,860 | 1,180 |
| Wyoming | $68,410 | $59,400 to $69,990 | 50 |
Nationally: $92,650. Shades run from the lowest state median to the highest; a territory below that range takes the lightest. How to read this
How AI touches the work
What AI could speed up, task by task, and where people already use it.
AI could halve the time on 28 of its 29 tasks
| AI rating | Its main tasks | Share of Claude conversations May 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| AI + software | Write supporting code for Web applications or Web sites. | 0.51% |
| AI + software | Design, build, or maintain Web sites, using authoring or scripting languages, content creation tools, management tools, and digital media. | 0.22% |
| AI + software | Select programming languages, design tools, or applications. | 0.01% |
| AI + software | Back up files from Web sites to local directories for instant recovery in case of problems. | Not published |
| AI alone | Perform or direct Web site updates. | 0.06% |
| AI alone | Evaluate code to ensure that it is valid, is properly structured, meets industry standards, and is compatible with browsers, devices, or operating systems. | under 0.01% |
See all 29 tasks
| AI alone | Perform Web site tests according to planned schedules, or after any Web site or product revision. | under 0.01% |
| AI + software | Maintain understanding of current Web technologies or programming practices through continuing education, reading, or participation in professional conferences, workshops, or groups. | Not published |
| AI + software | Analyze user needs to determine technical requirements. | 0.06% |
| AI + software | Respond to user email inquiries, or set up automated systems to send responses. | 0.08% |
| AI + software | Develop databases that support Web applications and Web sites. | under 0.01% |
| AI + software | Document test plans, testing procedures, or test results. | under 0.01% |
| AI + software | Confer with management or development teams to prioritize needs, resolve conflicts, develop content criteria, or choose solutions. | Not published |
| AI alone | Recommend and implement performance improvements. | 0.04% |
| AI alone | Develop or implement procedures for ongoing Web site revision. | 0.02% |
| AI + software | Collaborate with management or users to develop e-commerce strategies and to integrate these strategies with Web sites. | Not published |
| AI alone | Renew domain name registrations. | Not published |
| AI + software | Document technical factors such as server load, bandwidth, database performance, and browser and device types. | Not published |
| AI + software | Communicate with network personnel or Web site hosting agencies to address hardware or software issues affecting Web sites. | Not published |
| AI alone | Provide clear, detailed descriptions of Web site specifications, such as product features, activities, software, communication protocols, programming languages, and operating systems software and hardware. | 0.10% |
| AI + software | Establish appropriate server directory trees. | under 0.01% |
| AI + software | Create Web models or prototypes that include physical, interface, logical, or data models. | under 0.01% |
| AI + software | Research, document, rate, or select alternatives for Web architecture or technologies. | under 0.01% |
| AI + software | Develop system interaction or sequence diagrams. | 0.04% |
| AI + software | Monitor security system performance logs to identify problems and notify security specialists when problems occur. | under 0.01% |
| Not much | Evaluate or recommend server hardware or software. | under 0.01% |
| AI alone | Install and configure hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) servers and associated operating systems. | Not published |
| AI + software | Design and implement Web site security measures, such as firewalls and message encryption. | Not published |
| AI alone | Incorporate technical considerations into Web site design plans, such as budgets, equipment, performance requirements, and legal issues including accessibility and privacy. | under 0.01% |
Ordered by how important O*NET's respondents rate each task (1 to 5) times the share who say it is part of their job. The ordering is ours. O*NET hasn't rated 2 of the tasks, so they come last, in O*NET's own order. 20 of the 29 have a published share of Claude conversations; “not published” means too few conversations for Anthropic to publish a figure.
Where people already use AI
The tasks above say what AI could speed up. This shows what people are using it for. Its 29 tasks fall under 21 work activities that many occupations share, and Microsoft counted how often each one came up in 200,000 conversations with its Copilot assistant in 2024.
- #4 Maintain current knowledge in area of expertise
- #11 Provide information to guests, clients, or customers
- #14 Create visual designs or displays
- and 5 more, in the table below
| Work activity | This occupation's tasks under it | People asked AI for help in 10,000 conversations |
AI did it for them in 10,000 conversations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Process digital or online data | |||
| Advise others on the design or use of technologies | |||
| Coordinate with others to resolve problems | |||
| Develop technical specifications for products or operations | |||
| Design computer or information systems or applications | |||
| Document technical designs, procedures, or activities | |||
| Set up computer systems, networks, or other information systems | |||
| Test performance of computer or information systems |
Show all 21 activities
| Implement security measures for computer or information systems | |||
| Maintain current knowledge in area of expertise | |||
| Provide information to guests, clients, or customers | |||
| Create visual designs or displays | |||
| Evaluate the characteristics, usefulness, or performance of products or technologies | |||
| Research technology designs or applications | |||
| Program computer systems or production equipment | |||
| Develop models of systems, processes, or products | |||
| Develop operational or technical procedures or standards | |||
| Evaluate designs, specifications, or other technical data | |||
| Monitor operation of computer or information technologies | |||
| Communicate with others about business strategies | |||
| Design databases |
How people in this work use Claude
What people in this work made with Claude % of conversations
- An app or website44%
- A document or report10%
- Code fixes or debugging6%
- A script or snippet6%
- An email or message5%
How they worked with Claude
71% of these conversations were about work. Anthropic Economic Index, May 2026.
How to read this
Work activities come from O*NET, which links every task to the broader activities it involves. Microsoft's figures are for the activity across everyone who used Copilot, not for web developers specifically. Copilot is a general chat assistant; dedicated coding tools are not included, so programming help is under-counted here. Activities are listed by how many of this occupation's tasks fall under them.
The task ratings say whether AI could halve the time a task takes: on its own (“AI alone”), or with software built on it (“AI + software”). They were made by people in 2023 (Eloundou et al.). Claude's share is the task's share of all Claude.ai conversations in May 2026; Anthropic doesn't publish a task with too few conversations. None of these add up to the BLS exposure group, which combines five research measures.
More in the Guide: task ratings · task order · work activities · Copilot figures · Claude
High exposure doesn't mean fewer jobs
BLS projects most occupations in its two most exposed groups to grow: 141 of 206 rated Very high and 165 of 206 rated High. Each dot is one of the 831 occupations BLS rates.
Career moves into and out of this occupation
From moves between occupations found in online resumes, 2002–2016. Career changes only: a first job after school isn't a move.
Where people moved next
of 245,488 moves out
- 1 Software Developers, Applications (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 13%
- 2 Computer Occupations, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 8%
- 3 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 4%
- 4 Management Analysts Very high +10.1% 4%
- 5 Graphic Designers Very high -1.7% 4%
Where people moved in from
of 202,017 moves in
- 1 Software Developers, Applications (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 12%
- 2 Computer Occupations, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 8%
- 3 Graphic Designers Very high -1.7% 5%
- 4 Computer User Support Specialists Very high -3.5% 4%
- 5 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 3%
The resume data uses 2010 occupation codes. This occupation comes from “Web Developers”, which today also includes “Web and Digital Interface Designers”, so these figures cover it too. Resumes over-represent younger, white-collar job-seekers and moves into management. Schubert, Stansbury and Taska (resume data).
Education and training for the occupation
O*NET survey of workers in this occupation
- 4% less than high school
- 8% high school
- 17% postsecondary certificate
- 4% some college
- 17% associate's
- 46% bachelor's
- 4% post-bachelor's certificate
O*NET 31.0 survey of workers in this occupation · 24 people answered.
Census survey (American Community Survey)
- 2% less than high school
- 7% high school
- 17% some college
- 7% associate's
- 52% bachelor's
- 15% master's
- 1% professional degree
Census ACS 2024, all workers in this occupation · 846 people surveyed.
Why the two can differ
O*NET asks about 20 people in each occupation, which makes its shares uncertain, but it reports the exact occupation and counts certificates. The Census survey reaches thousands, but it groups some occupations together and counts degrees only. More in the Guide
Median pay by highest degree full-time, year-round · Census ACS 2024, all workers in this occupation
4 programs, such as Computer Programming/Programmer, General, Computer Science and Web Page, Digital/Multimedia and Information Resources Design.
See all
- Computer Programming/Programmer, General
- Computer Science
- Web Page, Digital/Multimedia and Information Resources Design
- Web/Multimedia Management and Webmaster
Jobs that require a credential BLS Occupational Requirements Survey 2023
<25% this occupation
45.3% all occupations
| By kind | This occupation | All occupations |
|---|---|---|
| a license | not published | |
| a certification | not published | |
| an educational certificate | not published |
Share of jobs whose employer requires it. BLS doesn't say which credential. How to read this
Look up certifications, training and licenses U.S. Department of Labor
- Certification Finder ↗ certifications CareerOneStop lists for this occupation
- Training Finder ↗ schools and programs, nationwide; narrow the place there
- License Finder ↗ licenses by state
- Apprenticeships: DOL's list of apprenticeable occupations doesn't include this one.
These open in a new tab and send only the occupation's public code. More in the Guide
BLS AI exposure categories (Aug 2026) · BLS Employment Projections 2025–35 · O*NET 31.0 · Task ratings: Eloundou et al., Science (2024) · Microsoft "Working with AI" v1.1 · Anthropic Economic Index (2026-06-26) · Schubert, Stansbury and Taska · NCES CIP–SOC · Census ACS 2024 · BLS JOLTS · Brynjolfsson, Chandar and Chen, Stanford (Aug 2026)
See it online, and explore any career: https://www.pathmosaic.com/card/15-1254.00