Web Developers
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.
BLS SOC 15-1254 · O*NET-SOC 15-1254.00 · BLS 2025–2035 · O*NET 31.0
Median annual wage, 2025
$92,650
Projected change, 2025–2035
3.8%
2025–2035 annual average openings
5,300
AI exposure
Very high
Editorial analysis
A website can appear in minutes. A good one still takes judgment.
AI website builders and coding assistants can now generate layouts, components, copy, CSS, forms, and basic application logic from a description. That puts real pressure on the simplest end of web development, particularly sites whose main requirement is to look acceptable and publish information.
The gap between a demo and a durable website
Production websites still have to work across devices, load quickly, remain accessible, survive content changes, protect user information, integrate with outside services, rank in search, and stay maintainable after the person who created them moves on. Those details are where automatically generated sites can become surprisingly expensive.
Web developers may therefore move toward higher-value integration and ownership work while AI absorbs more page assembly. Developers who understand performance, accessibility, analytics, security, APIs, content systems, and user behavior can use generation tools as accelerators rather than substitutes.
- Simple brochure-style development faces more competition from automated tools.
- Custom applications and integrations remain substantially more complex.
- Design-to-code workflows are becoming faster.
- Maintenance and technical quality become important differentiators when generating the first version is easy.
Labor-market picture
Two measures, different questions
These measures offer two different ways to understand the occupation: BLS projections show how national employment may change over time, while relative AI exposure highlights where tasks may intersect with AI-related capabilities. Read them with the work profile and your local context to decide what deserves closer investigation.
Employment
- Employment, 2025
- 87,400 jobs
- Projected employment, 2035
- 90,600 jobs
- Projected change, 2025–2035
- 3,300 jobs (3.8%)
Relative AI exposure
BLS category: Very high. This is a relative task-exposure classification, not a forecast of employment change, automation, wages, or worker replacement.
Relative AI exposure · Very high
Work profile
Representative tasks
These task statements come from O*NET 31.0. They are source facts, not labels assigned by the AI exposure measure.
- Write supporting code for Web applications or Web sites.
- Design, build, or maintain Web sites, using authoring or scripting languages, content creation tools, management tools, and digital media.
- Back up files from Web sites to local directories for instant recovery in case of problems.
- Select programming languages, design tools, or applications.
- Evaluate code to ensure that it is valid, is properly structured, meets industry standards, and is compatible with browsers, devices, or operating systems.
- Develop databases that support Web applications and Web sites.
Skills that matter
Skills in the source profile
Importance uses O*NET's 1–5 scale. Level uses its 0–7 scale. Select a skill to see its source definition and reported values.
Technology and tools
These technology records come from O*NET and show software or tools reported in the occupation profile. They describe work context, not a required checklist for every employer.
- Word processing software
- Document management software
- Development environment software
- Video creation and editing software
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Web page creation and editing software
- Web platform development software
- Desktop publishing software
Preparation
- Typical entry education
- Bachelor's degree
- Related experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- None
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Source provenance
Labor-market and exposure facts: bls-ep-2025-35. Work profile: onet-31.0. Verify release details on the Sources page.