Are you thinking about a career in WordPress development? If that’s the case, it’s important to make sure that you’ll be fairly compensated for your work. However, it can be difficult to find out exactly how much you’ll make in this profession. So, how much do WordPress developers make? Let’s dive into the details.
The average WordPress developer salary tends to sit between $52,000 and $64,000. However, entry-level jobs can pay as little as $42,000. Meanwhile, you’ll be paid more in cities like LA, and compensation is higher for those with specialist skills like PHP.
Fortunately, it’s easier to make a decision about your career when you understand the salary expectations. For example, you can find out how your pay may be affected by factors such as experience, location, and specialization.
In this post, we’ll take a closer look at the role of a WordPress developer. Then, we’ll show you how much you can expect to earn in the role. Let’s jump right in!
WordPress powers 43 percent of all websites, making it one of the most popular Content Management Systems (CMSs). The software is free, flexible, and open-source, so it’s a great option for those who want to build a business site or a blog.
However, without the time or knowledge, creating a website might be out of the question for some people. While there are tools (like page builders) that can simplify the process, it’s difficult to design a completely custom website without help. That’s where WordPress developers come in.
As a WordPress developer, you’ll mainly be responsible for building, customizing, and sometimes managing WordPress sites. However, you might also be hired to improve the WordPress core software, or create custom products (usually themes and plugins) for a website.
Additionally, you might be asked to carry out tasks like securing a WordPress site, backing up data, or migrating a website. If you have an eye for design, you could even customize a theme or build custom templates.
Now that you know a bit more about WordPress development, let’s take a look at three factors that can affect your earning potential.
Your experience level is one of the factors that can impact your earnings. When you’re starting out, you’ll likely work as a junior developer. Meanwhile, a senior developer may have additional tasks and even management responsibilities, with their pay reflecting this extra contribution.
According to PayScale, an entry-level web developer can expect to earn around $52,000. Those with 5 to 9 years of development experience can make at least $70,000.
Meanwhile, developers in their late career (10+ years) can expect to make over $75,000:
Indeed reports similar findings, with the average WordPress developer salary being around $64,000 in the United States:
Most WordPress developers will be expected to have at least some knowledge of JavaScript, PHP, and CSS. However, PayScale found that there are certain skills that can boost a web developer’s salary. These include dynamic HTML (DHTML), Microsoft Azure, and UNIX.
In fact, DHTML was found to increase earning potential by 51 percent. The average salary of a web developer with this skill is around $93,000.
While most WordPress developers have a similar understanding of the platform, some may specialize in an advanced area of web development. For example, you might choose to focus on PHP development, LAMP stack, or plugin development.
If you choose to work as a PHP developer, you’ll likely be building websites from scratch. Therefore, you’ll often be hired by clients with very specific website needs.
You can see on Indeed that the average salary of a PHP developer is $87,000. This is a lot higher than the standard pay for WordPress developers.
You may spot a similar trend if you look at freelance work. For example, the rate for WordPress developers on Fiverr starts at $25. At the higher end of the scale, clients pay up to $295:
However, when you change the search to “PHP developer”, you’ll see that some PHP developers charge over $1000. Therefore, by offering a specialized service, you can maximize your earning potential.
Like with any job, salaries may vary from one location to another. Usually, this is a result of shifting job markets and the benefits associated with the role.
According to Indeed, WordPress developers who work in cities like Los Angeles, Denver, and New York earn more. Those in LA have the highest pay, with an average salary of $123,000. Developers based in Denver or New York can expect to earn $82,000 and $70,000 respectively.
At the bottom end of the scale, WordPress developers in Ohio earn around $47,000, while those in Houston are paid around $38,000 per year:
It’s worth noting that only 50 percent of WordPress developers in the U.S. think that their salary is enough to cover the cost of living in their area. What’s more, a developer whose compensation package is more salary-based will earn more than a developer that gets paid leave and other benefits.
You might prefer to find work as a freelancer as you can charge steeper rates to make up for the high costs in your location. However, you’ll be missing out on benefits like health insurance.
When you’re in the market for a WordPress developer role, understanding the salary landscape is essential for several reasons.
First, knowing the typical salary range allows you to gauge your own market value. By having a clear idea of what others in similar roles are earning, you can set realistic expectations for your income.
Benefits of Salary Comparison:
In conclusion, salary comparisons are not just a financial tool but a strategic instrument for career advancement and decision-making.
.When freelancers decide how much to charge per hour, they need to consider a few important things to make sure they’re paid fairly for their work. Here’s a breakdown:
By considering all these factors, freelancers can figure out a fair hourly rate that reflects their worth, keeps their business running smoothly, and helps them stand out in their industry.
1. You Constantly Feel Overworked
One of the clearest signs that it might be time to increase your rates is when you’re consistently overloaded with projects. If you’re juggling too many tasks and constantly feeling drained, it’s an indication that demand for your skills exceeds supply. Raising your rates can help manage your workload better while ensuring you’re compensated fairly for your efforts.
2. Your Close Rate is Nearly 100%
If almost every client you pitch decides to hire you, it’s a strong sign that your current rates might be too low. High close rates can indicate that clients view your services as a bargain, and they are eager to take advantage of your undervalued pricing. Increasing your fees can balance the demand and attract clients willing to pay what you’re truly worth.
3. Your Hourly Rate is Decreasing
As you gain more experience and hone your skills, the value you provide to clients increases. If you notice that your effective hourly rate is stagnating or dropping despite gaining expertise, it’s a clear indicator that you should reassess your pricing. More experience and better results warrant higher pay.
Experts suggest that, if you charge hourly, you start at no less than $50 per hour for WordPress development. This can be adjusted to $60 per hour as a beginner baseline, moving up to $75 per hour within a year and potentially reaching $100 per hour after two years of experience.
Keeping these guidelines in mind will help ensure you’re compensated fairly and can sustain your freelance career comfortably.
Understanding how much seasoned freelancers earn can be incredibly empowering for those just starting out in the freelance world. When new freelancers learn that their experienced counterparts are charging, let’s say, $100 per hour for similar services, it gives them a valuable benchmark for setting their own rates. This knowledge helps them establish higher financial standards right from the get-go, rather than settling for low-paying gigs.
By knowing what top earners are making, new freelancers can set their sights higher and negotiate with greater confidence. They realize that their skills are valuable and deserve fair compensation, making them less likely to sell themselves short. Armed with this understanding, they can turn down lowball offers and focus on finding clients who recognize and are willing to pay for quality work.
In essence, knowing the going rates in the industry not only strengthens a new freelancer’s ability to negotiate but also shapes their perception of their own value and the worth of their work in the market. This foundational knowledge is essential for building a career that is both fulfilling and financially rewarding.
Curious if your salary as a WordPress developer measures up? Knowing the average pay for your role is crucial for ensuring you’re compensated fairly. Here’s how to determine if you’re getting your due:
Ensuring you’re paid fairly isn’t just about knowing averages—it’s about recognizing your unique value and advocating for it effectively.
Transitioning from a regular job to freelancing takes some careful planning, especially when it comes to figuring out how much to charge per hour. Here’s a simple guide for freelancers to determine their hourly rate:
Following these steps will help you come up with a fair hourly rate that covers all your expenses and reflects your true worth as a professional. Remember, being precise about your hours and costs will help you avoid financial headaches down the road.
When considering hiring a specialized freelance WordPress developer, platforms like Codementor and Codeable are popular choices. Here’s a breakdown of the hourly rates you can expect:
These rates provide a clear understanding of the cost implications for hiring specialized WordPress developers on these platforms.
Before making a big career decision, it’s important to understand the earning potential of your desired role. As a WordPress developer, your salary can be impacted by various factors.
Here’s how much you can expect to earn as a WordPress developer, based on different criteria:
Do you have any questions about how much WordPress developers make? Let us know in the comments section below!
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