What Does A Web Developer Do (including Their Typical Day at Work)

Stan T.Career, Overview

Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Web Developers

Web Developers design, create, and modify Web sites. Analyze user needs to implement Web site content, graphics, performance, and capacity. May integrate Web sites with other computer applications. May convert written, graphic, audio, and video components to compatible Web formats by using software designed to facilitate the creation of Web and multimedia content.

Salary
$85490
Becoming One
Medium
Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality
Interest Match


What they do

Web Developers design, create, and modify Web sites. Analyze user needs to implement Web site content, graphics, performance, and capacity. May integrate Web sites with other computer applications. May convert written, graphic, audio, and video components to compatible Web formats by using software designed to facilitate the creation of Web and multimedia content.

  • 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.
  • Write, design, or edit Web page content, or direct others producing content.

Typical day

On a daily basis, Web Developers back up files from websites to local directories for instant recovery in case of problems. They write, design, or edit web page content, or direct others producing content.

A typical day for a Web Developer will also include:

  • Design, build, or maintain Web sites, using authoring or scripting languages, content creation tools, management tools, and digital media.
  • Write supporting code for Web applications or Web sites.
  • Respond to user email inquiries, or set up automated systems to send responses.
  • Confer with management or development teams to prioritize needs, resolve conflicts, develop content criteria, or choose solutions.
  • Identify problems uncovered by testing or customer feedback, and correct problems or refer problems to appropriate personnel for correction.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Web Developers also perform Web site tests according to planned schedules, or after any Web site or product revision. They may also communicate with network personnel or Web site hosting agencies to address hardware or software issues affecting Web sites.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Web Developers develop or implement procedures for ongoing website revision. They might also confer with management or development teams to prioritize needs, resolve conflicts, develop content criteria, or choose solutions.

In addition, they identify or maintain links to and from other websites and check links to ensure proper functioning.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them provide clear, detailed descriptions of website specifications, such as product features, activities, software, communication protocols, programming languages, and operating systems software and hardware.

To some Web Developers, it is also their responsibility to recommend and implement performance improvements.

What is the job like

Job satisfaction

High

Is this job meaningful

Low

70% said they were satisfied with their job and 46% said they found their job meaningful.


Happy Cog

Each morning I look at the tickets that are assigned to me to determine what I’ll be working on for that day. Home workspace During our daily Dev Stand-Up, each developer states what projects they worked on the previous day and what they plan to work on for the current day. If any issues need … Read More


Pricelisto.com

I am a web developer working for multiple companies and each requires a different mindset and approach to solve problems. In my regular day-to-day activities, I am often approached by marketing or business managers if the sales are down for the day to check if everything is working properly on the technical side. In the … Read More


Pros

Suitable for people who like to follow routines.

Suitable for people who want independence and like to work on their own and make decisions.

This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.

It is not too difficult to get into this career. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.

Demand for this career is growing very fast.

Cons

Not suitable for people who like to help and teach others.

Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week).

How much do they make

Average salary

$85490 per year

Average hourly wage

$41 per hour

Entry-level Web Developers with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $40,750 to $55,390 per year or $20 to $27 per hour.

Salary by experience Annual Hourly
Highest (Top 10%) $146,430 $70
Senior (Top 25%) $107,620 $52
Median $77,200 $37
Junior (Bottom 25%) $55,390 $27
No experience (Bottom 10%) $40,750 $20

This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Web Developers based on their average annual salary.

Salary by industry Annual Hourly
Software Publishers $132760 $63.83
Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities $106690 $51.29
Credit Intermediation and Related Activities $102200 $49.13
Monetary Authorities-Central Bank $100860 $48.49
Scheduled Air Transportation $100010 $48.08
Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing $96420 $46.36
Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution $95220 $45.78
Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing $94340 $45.36
Insurance Carriers $93980 $45.18
Employment Services $93390 $44.90

View more salary by industries here.

Where can they work

Where can Web Developers work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Web Developers including the average salary in that industry.

Employers Total Employed Annual Salary Hourly Wages
Computer Systems Design and Related Services 30290 $83070 $39.94
Software Publishers 15070 $132760 $63.83
Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services 9490 $75200 $36.16
Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services 8320 $77830 $37.42
Other Information Services 8220 $88830 $42.71
Management of Companies and Enterprises 8150 $88620 $42.60
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools 5890 $70450 $33.87
Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services 5630 $80830 $38.86
Electronic Shopping and Mail-Order Houses 5210 $82780 $39.80
Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers 3390 $75920 $36.50

What is the work day like

Working hours

Less than 40 hours
4%

40 hours
33%

More than 40 hours
63%

Working schedule

75%

25%

0%

Email

How often do you use email in this job?

Once a week
4%

Every day
92%

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Once a week
42%

Every day
42%

Group discussions

How often do you have group discussions in this job?

Once a week
17%

Every day
67%

Public speaking

How often does this job require you to do public speaking?

Never
29%

Once a year
50%

Once a month
17%

Once a week
4%

Every day
0%

Level of competition

How much competitive pressure is in this job?

Not competitive at all
0%

Slightly competitive
8%

Moderately competitive
17%

Highly competitive
58%

Extremely competitive
17%

What is the work environment like

Office-style environment

Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition

Never
8%

Once a year or more
8%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
4%

Every day
79%

Warehouse-style environment

Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse

Never
92%

Once a year or more
8%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
0%

Outdoors

Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions

Never
96%

Once a year or more
4%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
0%

Outdoors – Under Cover

Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)

Never
92%

Once a year or more
8%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
0%

How to become one

Difficulty to become one

Medium
You will need previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience. Most careers in this difficulty category require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an Associate’s degree, and one or two years of on-the-job training. Similar careers include Travel Agents, Agricultural Technicians, Court Reports, and Medical Assistants.

Required level of education

What level of education do you need to perform the job?

Less than a High School Diploma
4%

High School Diploma or equivalent
8%

Post-Secondary Certificate
17%

Some College Courses
4%

Associate’s Degree or similar
17%

Bachelor’s Degree
46%

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
4%

Master’s Degree
0%

Post-Master’s Certificate
0%

First Professional Degree
0%

Doctoral Degree
0%

Post-Doctoral Training
0%

Relevant majors

Computer Science

A program that focuses on computer theory, computing problems and solutions, and the design of computer systems and user interfaces from a scientific perspective. Includes instruction in the principles of computational science, computer development and programming, and applications to a variety of end-use situations.

Web Page, Digital/Multimedia and Information Resources Design

A program that prepares individuals to apply HTML, CSS, XML, JavaScript, graphics applications, and other authoring tools to the design, editing, and publishing (launching) of documents, images, graphics, sound, and multimedia products on the World Wide Web. Includes instruction in Internet theory, web page standards and policies, elements of web page design, user interfaces, vector tools, special effects, interactive and multimedia components, search engines, navigation, morphing, e-commerce tools, and emerging web technologies.

Web/Multimedia Management and Webmaster

A program that prepares individuals to develop and maintain web servers and the hosted web pages at one or a group of web sites, and to function as designated webmasters. Includes instruction in computer systems and networks, server installation and maintenance, web page design and editing, information resources management, web policy and procedures, Internet applications of information systems security, user interfacing and usability research, and relevant management and communications skills.


Computer Programming

A program that focuses on the general writing and implementation of generic and customized programs to drive operating systems and that generally prepares individuals to apply the methods and procedures of software design and programming to software installation and maintenance. Includes instruction in software design, low- and high-level languages and program writing; program customization and linking; prototype testing; troubleshooting; and related aspects of operating systems and networks.

Relevant work experience

How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?

None
13%

1 month
0%

1 to 3 months
0%

3 to 6 months
0%

6 months to 1 year
21%

1 to 2 years
29%

2 to 4 years
25%

4 to 6 years
13%

6 to 8 years
0%

8 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
0%

On The Job Training

How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?

None or short demonstration
13%

1 month
29%

1 to 3 months
17%

3 to 6 months
17%

6 months to 1 year
13%

1 to 2 years
8%

2 to 4 years
4%

4 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
0%

Should you become one

Best personality type for this career

The Organizer

People with this personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.

The Builder
62%

People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.


The Thinker
71%

People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.


The Artist
57%

People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.


The Helper
14%

People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.


The Leader
48%

People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.


The Organizer
76%

People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.


You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tend to like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

They also like working with ideas and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.

Work Values

Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?

Achievement
71%

You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.

Working Conditions
76%

You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.

Recognition
71%

You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.

Relationships
57%

You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.

Support
62%

You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.

Independence
81%

You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.

FAQ


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