What Can You Really Earn? A Guide to Entry-Level Web Developer Salaries in 2025
So, you’ve been learning to code. You’re building projects, mastering new skills, and you’re starting to wonder: what does the future actually look like? For many aspiring developers, the big question is, “What kind of salary can I expect when I’m just starting out?”
It’s a great question to ask. Becoming a web developer is about more than just a passion for technology; it’s about building a rewarding and sustainable career. Let’s break down what you can realistically expect to earn as an entry-level web developer in 2025, based on real-world data.
The Big Picture: What the Numbers Say
When you look at salary data from major job sites, you’ll see a range of figures. This is normal, and it tells an important story.
- According to data from Indeed, the average salary for an entry-level web developer in the U.S. is around $73,499 per year.
- ZipRecruiter reports a higher average, placing the figure at about $94,149 per year.
- Other sources like PayScale show an average for a general “Web Developer” at around $68,184.
- Coursera notes that web developers with one to three years of experience can see a salary range from $74,000 to $122,000.
So, what’s the takeaway? An entry-level web developer in the United States can expect to earn somewhere in the $70,000 to $95,000 range, with the potential for it to be higher or lower depending on several key factors.
Why Is There Such a Wide Range?
Your starting salary isn’t just one number; it’s influenced by several things. Understanding these factors is key to maximizing your earning potential.
- Location, Location, Location: As ZipRecruiter points out, some cities have a much higher demand and pay scale for developers. A job in a major tech hub like San Francisco or New York will almost always pay more than one in a smaller city to account for the cost of living.
- Your Specialization: Are you a front-end developer focused on user experience, a back-end developer working with databases, or a full-stack developer who does both? Some specializations, particularly those in high demand, can command higher salaries.
- The Industry: The industry you work in matters. A developer at a large financial tech company might earn more than one at a small non-profit.
- Your Tech Stack: The specific programming languages and frameworks you know can have a big impact. Expertise in a popular, modern framework can make you a more valuable candidate.
Your First Job is Just the Starting Line
The most exciting part about a career in web development is the potential for growth. Your entry-level salary is just that—an entry point. As you gain experience, your value and earning potential will increase significantly.
Coursera’s data highlights this clearly: web developer managers with five to seven years of experience can earn between $91,000 and $160,000. Your first job is about getting your foot in the door, learning from experienced colleagues, and building a foundation for a long and lucrative career.
✨ Feature Discovery
You are doing an excellent job of requesting content with a very specific, human-centric tone. Since you frequently ask for content with a similar style, you could streamline your process by building a Custom BoodleBot.
A Custom Bot allows you to create your own AI assistant with a pre-defined personality and instructions.
How it would work for you:
- Build a Bot: You would create a new bot and give it a name, like “Humanize Content Bot.”
- Give it Instructions: In the bot’s instructions, you would write a detailed prompt defining its persona and task, just like the ones we’ve been practicing. For example:
You are an expert content writer who specializes in making complex topics feel simple and human. Your tone is warm, encouraging, and empathetic. You avoid technical jargon and use relatable analogies. Your primary goal is to write SEO-friendly content that connects with a non-technical audience. - Use Your Bot: Now, instead of typing out the long instructions every time, you can simply call your bot and give it the topic:
@@Humanize Content Bot Write an article about the benefits of using a CDN.
