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The 10 Best States for Web Developers in 2026
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, web developers remain a vital component of the American economy. Opportunities for web developers are abundant across the country, dispelling the myth that they are primarily concentrated in tech hubs like California or the South.
At Zippia, we analyzed the latest data to identify the states that offer the best prospects for web developers. This includes factors such as job availability, salary levels, and growth opportunities throughout various career stages.
After thorough research utilizing data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), we compiled this list of the top states for web developers in 2026:
This ranking highlights states where web developers can thrive due to job abundance, competitive salaries, and the potential for career advancement. Curious about how we arrived at this list? Read on for insights into our methodology and details about each state.
If you want to explore more about the job market, check out these resources:
- The 10 Best Cities for Web Developers
- Top Companies to Work for in Seattle, WA
- Companies Hiring the Most in Seattle
How We Determined the Best States for Web Developers
At Zippia, we engage with a diverse range of job seekers and have identified two key factors that most people prioritize in their job search:
- Job availability
- Competitive salaries
To find the best states for web developers, we examined where the job opportunities are and how well web developers are compensated. The following criteria were derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment Statistics for 2023:
- Location quotient: A measure of how prevalent a job is in a given state.
- Average annual salary.
- Average salary for entry-level positions.
- Average salary for experienced professionals.
To provide a fair comparison of salary data across states, we adjusted for the local cost of living. This standardization accounts for differences in living expenses; for example, while the average salary for web developers in California is $86,160, the purchasing power in other states like Illinois may offer a better quality of life.
Each state was ranked across these criteria from 1 to 50, with 1 being the most favorable. The overall Job Score was calculated by averaging these rankings, with the state that received the lowest score recognized as the best for web developers in the U.S.
1. Washington
Total Jobs: 5,880
Average Annual Salary: $94,060
Average Entry Level Salary: $49,760
Average Experienced Salary: $149,780
Location Quotient: 2.05
2. Virginia
Total Jobs: 3,840
Average Annual Salary: $88,850
Average Entry Level Salary: $43,560
Average Experienced Salary: $134,600
Location Quotient: 1.14
3. Minnesota
Total Jobs: 2,780
Average Annual Salary: $79,690
Average Entry Level Salary: $44,110
Average Experienced Salary: $121,910
Location Quotient: 1.1
4. Texas
Total Jobs: 7,830
Average Annual Salary: $74,250
Average Entry Level Salary: $40,660
Average Experienced Salary: $117,150
Location Quotient: 0.73
5. Utah
Total Jobs: 1,980
Average Annual Salary: $69,940
Average Entry Level Salary: $35,780
Average Experienced Salary: $107,430
Location Quotient: 1.55
6. Illinois
Total Jobs: 5,180
Average Annual Salary: $74,420
Average Entry Level Salary: $39,600
Average Experienced Salary: $117,550
Location Quotient: 0.98
7. Georgia
Total Jobs: 2,510
Average Annual Salary: $80,090
Average Entry Level Salary: $43,790
Average Experienced Salary: $121,390
Location Quotient: 0.65
8. North Carolina
Total Jobs: 3,320
Average Annual Salary: $73,610
Average Entry Level Salary: $40,680
Average Experienced Salary: $118,710
Location Quotient: 0.86
9. South Carolina
Total Jobs: 1,310
Average Annual Salary: $77,950
Average Entry Level Salary: $42,000
Average Experienced Salary: $122,570
Location Quotient: 0.72
10. Colorado
Total Jobs: 2,490
Average Annual Salary: $78,790
Average Entry Level Salary: $39,790
Average Experienced Salary: $115,620
Location Quotient: 1.08
Conclusion: The Best States for Web Developers
If you are embarking on a career as a web developer, these states should be at the top of your list. They offer high pay, abundant job opportunities, and pathways for professional growth.
For those interested in the less favorable states for web development, here they are:
Explore more about the job market with these articles:
- The 100 Highest Paying Jobs in Seattle
- The 100 Highest Paying Jobs in Washington
- The 100 Largest Companies in Washington
Detailed List of the Best States for Web Developers
| Rank | State | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $94,060 |
| 2 | Virginia | $88,850 |
| 3 | Minnesota | $79,690 |
| 4 | Texas | $74,250 |
| 5 | Utah | $69,940 |
| 6 | Illinois | $74,420 |
| 7 | Georgia | $80,090 |
| 8 | North Carolina | $73,610 |
| 9 | South Carolina | $77,950 |
| 10 | Colorado | $78,790 |
| 11 | Missouri | $65,090 |
| 12 | Arizona | $70,450 |
| 13 | Delaware | $72,070 |
| 14 | Michigan | $67,000 |
| 15 | Alabama | $67,250 |
| 16 | Kentucky | $71,610 |
| 17 | Pennsylvania | $72,030 |
| 18 | Mississippi | $63,800 |
| 19 | Kansas | $62,850 |
| 20 | New Jersey | $84,500 |
| 21 | Ohio | $64,700 |
| 22 | Maryland | $78,030 |
| 23 | California | $86,160 |
| 24 | New York | $79,880 |
| 25 | Massachusetts | $84,300 |
| 26 | Iowa | $58,340 |
| 27 | Nebraska | $58,500 |
| 28 | Florida | $64,160 |
| 29 | Indiana | $59,870 |
| 30 | Oklahoma | $60,280 |
| 31 | Rhode Island | $71,520 |
| 32 | Tennessee | $61,910 |
| 33 | Oregon | $68,760 |
| 34 | New Mexico | $61,470 |
| 35 | Connecticut | $78,200 |
| 36 | Idaho | $54,720 |
| 37 | New Hampshire | $66,890 |
| 38 | Wisconsin | $53,730 |
| 39 | Wyoming | $64,340 |
| 40 | North Dakota | $59,090 |
| 41 | South Dakota | $54,410 |
| 42 | Maine | $60,290 |
| 43 | Vermont | $60,790 |
| 44 | Montana | $49,510 |
| 45 | Arkansas | $50,930 |
| 46 | West Virginia | $55,580 |
| 47 | Nevada | $59,320 |
| 48 | Louisiana | $55,310 |
| 49 | Alaska | $59,990 |
| 50 | Hawaii | $62,710 |
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
