Do you want to be a freelance web developer? If so, you’re probably wondering how much money you can earn. The truth is, it’s difficult to give a precise answer because many factors come into play. But in this article, we will do our best to provide you with an idea of what to expect. We will discuss the factors that affect freelance web developer salaries, how to get started, the skills and educational requirements, and more. So read on for all the details!
How much can you expect to earn as a freelance web developer?
Average salaries for Freelance web developers operating within the United States are $80,702 yearly. Broken down, that’s approximately $6,725 a month, $1,681 a week, and $42.25 per hour. However, this is just an average.
Most freelance web developers earn annual wages ranging from $27,500(Bottom 20th Percentile) to $148,250(Top 90th Percentile). This obviously means there’s a pretty significant difference in how much freelance web developers earn, with the top earners making over five times more than the bottom 20 percentile.
That being said, it’s essential to understand that the average earning potential for freelance web developers can vary widely depending on several factors. These factors include a developer’s unique skill set, experience, location, and industry. Data from HandyHubb suggest that location and experience are two of the most critical factors that affect freelance web developer salaries.
| Location | Annual Salary | Monthly Income | Weekly Income | Hourly Rate |
| New York | $70,000 | $5,833 | $1,458 | $36.45 |
| Seattle | $79,100 | $6,591 | $1,647 | $41.20 |
| Miami | $69,021 | $5,751 | $1,437 | $35.95 |
| Austin | $97,702 | $8,141 | $2,035 | $50.87 |
| Chicago | $74,471 | $6,205 | $1,551 | $38.79 |
| Atlanta | $63,652 | $5,304 | $1,326 | $33.15 |
| Boston | $89,561 | $7,463 | $1,865 | $46.65 |
| Los Angeles | $71,775 | $5,981 | $1,495 | $37.38 |
| Washington D.C. | $75,375 | $6,281 | $1,570 | $39.26 |
| Freelance Web Developer Experience | Average Salary |
| Early Career (1 year) | $60,701 |
| Mid-Career (1 to 2 years) | $59,554 |
| Experienced (6 to 9) | $78,797 |
| Top-Level (10 years+) | $85,865 |
Education requirements:
Freelance web developers aren’t required to have a formal education. Still, having a degree or certificate in web development, computer science, or a related field can be helpful. There are many ways to learn the necessary skills without attending a traditional college, such as coding boot camps or online courses such as those offered by Codecademy or Treehouse.
Six essential skills you must have as a freelance web developer:
1.) Coding knowledge and experience- A good web developer must be well-versed in the various coding languages required to build a website, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
2.) Design skills- A freelance web developer needs to have a good eye for design to create visually appealing and user-friendly websites.
3.) Understanding of user experience (UX)- A freelance web developer must understand the needs of the user and design websites that are easy to navigate and use.
4.) Search Engine Optimization knowledge- SEO knowledge is vital for web developers because it helps your clients’ websites rank higher in search results.
5.) Graphic design skills are essential because web developers are typically responsible for creating a website’s overall look and feel.
6.) Project management skills- freelance web developers often wear many hats and must be able to juggle multiple projects at once. Therefore, strong project management skills are essential to keep everything organized and on track.
Different types of web development jobs and their salaries:
- Back-end Developers
Salary: $99,752
Back-end developers focus on a website or application’s server-side development. They use server-side programming languages like PHP, Ruby, and Python. The role of a back-end developer is to make sure a website or application can handle requests quickly and efficiently.
You’ll also be responsible for managing a website or application’s databases. MySQL, MongoDB, and Oracle are examples of database management systems (DBMS). Back-end developers sometimes need to create APIs too.
- Front-end Developers/ Web designer
Salary: $81,275
Front-end developers, also known as web designers, focus on a website’s or application’s client-side development. They use programming languages and frameworks like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The role of a front-end developer is to make sure a website or application looks and feels great for the user.
You’ll also need to ensure the code you write is optimized for performance. That way, a website or application can load quickly and run smoothly.
- Full Stack developer
Salary: $100,281
Full-stack developers are responsible for both front-end and back-end development. They need to have a comprehensive understanding of coding and be able to build a website or application from start to finish.
Full-stack developers typically use JavaScript, CSS, and HTML for front-end development. They use server-side languages like PHP, Ruby, and Python for back-end development.
- Mobile application developer
Salary: $98,957
Mobile application developers focus on developing apps for mobile devices. They need to have a strong understanding of programming and be able to create code that is optimized for performance.
Mobile application developers typically use frameworks like React Native and Swift. They also need to be familiar with UI and UX design principles to create apps that are easy to use and have a great user experience.
- DevOps Engineer
Salary: $87,911
DevOps engineers focus on developing and managing software development infrastructure. They need to have a strong understanding of code management tools like Git and Jenkins.
DevOps engineers must also be familiar with cloud computing platforms like AWS and Azure. They need to be able to automate software development processes and deploy code changes quickly and efficiently.
- Game Developer
Salary: $97,481
Game developers focus on developing video games. They need to have a strong understanding of programming and be able to create code that is optimized for performance. Game developers typically use game engines like Unity and Unreal Engine. They must also be familiar with 3D modeling and animation software like Maya and Blender.
| Web Development Jobs | Annual Salary | Monthly Income | Weekly Income | Hourly Rate |
| Back-end Developers | $99,752 | $8,312 | $2,078 | $51.95 |
| Front-end Developers | $81,275 | $6,772 | $1,693 | $42.33 |
| Full Stack Developers | $100,281 | $8,356 | $2,089 | $52.23 |
| Mobile App Developers | $98,957 | $8,246 | $2,061 | $51.54 |
| DevOps Engineers | $87,911 | $7,325 | $1,831 | $45.79 |
| Game Developers | $97,481 | $8,123 | $2,030 | $50.77 |
These are just a few of the many web development jobs, but it’s vital to do your research to figure out which niche is the best fit for you.
A Step-By-Step guide on how to become a freelance web developer
- Select your web development niche- the first step to becoming a freelance web developer is to select your niche. Do you want to specialize in front-end, back-end, or full-stack development?
- Get educated– once you have selected your development niche, the next step is to get educated. If you don’t have a coding background, then you will need to take some time to learn the basics. You can do this by taking an online course, attending a coding boot camp, or taking classes at a local university.
- Get some experience- Next, you will need some experience. The best way to do this is to find a freelance development project or two and work on them in your spare time. This will allow you to hone your skills and build your portfolio.
- Build up your freelance development portfolio– Once you have experience, the next step is to build up your freelance development portfolio. This is a collection of your previous work that you can show to potential clients. Include projects that showcase your skills and highlight your experience. Be sure to update your portfolio regularly as you take on new projects.
- Find clients and market your services– The final step is to find clients and market your freelance development services. You can find clients by networking, cold-emailing, or freelance job boards. Once you have found some potential clients, send them a well-written proposal outlining your services. Be sure to include your rates, previous work, and any other relevant information.
How to find clients as a freelance web developer
One way is to network with other professionals in the industry. Attend industry events and meet-ups to connect with other developers. These connections can lead to potential clients.
Another way to find freelance work is to cold-email potential clients. This involves reaching out to companies and businesses you think could benefit from your services. Include a link to your portfolio in your email so potential clients can see your previous work
Finally, you can also use freelance job boards to find clients. These job boards are an excellent resource for freelance developers interested in working full-time or on specific projects, with a great option being our own HandyHubb!
Things to be aware of as a freelance web developer
A few things you need to be mindful of as a freelance web developer are scope creep, deadlines, client expectations, and scope changes.
-Scope creeps is when a client asks for more work to be done than what was initially agreed upon. This can often lead to missed deadlines and a lot of extra work.
-Deadlines are essential to both you and the client. Set realistic deadlines and communicate with the client if there are any delays.
-Client expectations can often be unrealistic. Be sure to set clear expectations with the client from the start and manage their expectations throughout the project.
-Scope changes are when a client changes the scope of a project after you have already started working on it. This can be a huge problem because it can cause you to miss deadlines and go over budget.
Is Freelance web development a good career field to get into?
If you’re interested in learning a new skill and are considering web development as an option. In that case, you’re probably wondering if it’s a good career field to get into. Explore More.
The short answer is yes! Web development is a growing field with plenty of opportunities for those with the necessary skills. According to prnewswire.com, the web development industry is expected to grow by a CAGR of 13.7% from 2018 to 2028. This is much higher than the average for many other occupations.
So, if you’re looking for a freelance career with good growth potential and plenty of opportunities, web development is a great option. Just be sure to brush up on your skills and keep your portfolio up-to-date. Good luck!
