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Job outlook for web development consultants in the United States
Web development consultant job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected web development consultant job growth rate is 13% from 2018-2028.
About 20,900 new jobs for web development consultants are projected over the next decade.
Web development consultant salaries have increased 11% for web development consultants in the last 5 years.
There are over 147,778 web development consultants currently employed in the United States.
There are 68,604 active web development consultant job openings in the US.
The average web development consultant salary is $94,544.
Are web development consultant jobs in demand?
Web development consultant job and salary trends over time
Web development consultant jobs over time
Web development consultant job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 147,778 | 0.04% |
| 2020 | 149,687 | 0.04% |
| 2019 | 47,183 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 37,471 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 37,120 | 0.01% |
Average web development consultant salary over time
Web development consultant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $94,544 | $45.45 | +3.4% |
| 2024 | $91,429 | $43.96 | +2.3% |
| 2023 | $89,359 | $42.96 | +2.1% |
| 2022 | $87,506 | $42.07 | +2.8% |
| 2021 | $85,112 | $40.92 | +1.8% |
Web development consultant jobs by state
Most common states for web development consultants
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 261 | 38% |
| 2 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 307 | 35% |
| 3 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 1,764 | 26% |
| 4 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,243 | 22% |
| 5 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 991 | 20% |
| 6 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 142 | 19% |
| 7 | Alaska | 739,795 | 137 | 19% |
| 8 | Oklahoma | 3,930,864 | 716 | 18% |
| 9 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 376 | 18% |
| 10 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 348 | 18% |
| 11 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,953 | 15% |
| 12 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 1,045 | 15% |
| 13 | Mississippi | 2,984,100 | 452 | 15% |
| 14 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 433 | 15% |
| 15 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,464 | 14% |
| 16 | Texas | 28,304,596 | 3,567 | 13% |
| 17 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 774 | 13% |
| 18 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 768 | 13% |
| 19 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 390 | 13% |
| 20 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 135 | 13% |
Most common cities for web development consultants
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Edison | 1 | 1% | $108,711 |
| 2 | Scottsdale | 1 | 0% | $83,502 |
Web Development Consultant job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of web development consultant experts
Nova Southeastern University
Mount St. Joseph University
University of Richmond
Idaho State University
Wright State University
University of Tulsa
Xavier University of Louisiana
Keiser University Latin American Campus.
Murray State University
University of South Alabama
Washington University in St. Louis
Montana State University
North Dakota State University
Indiana University South Bend
Pennsylvania State University - Erie (The Behrend College)
Illinois Wesleyan University
New Mexico State University
Colby-Sawyer College
Lorain County Community College
Western Kentucky University
What will help Web Development Consultants increase their earning potential?
Dr. Frank Mitropoulos Ph.D.: As we look toward the future of careers in Computer Applications, several skills stand out for their growing importance. These skills revolve around specific technologies that are expected to continue to grow and evolve. Technologies related to Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, and Data Science are quickly evolving and being applied across the technology sector. Cloud Computing: Given the widespread adoption of Cloud services, Cloud computing expertise is indispensable. Understanding how to leverage platforms like Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud is crucial to developing scalable, efficient solutions that meet business needs. Artificial Intelligence: AI and Machine Learning are transforming the world. Skills in these areas to solve real-world problems will be even more critical in the future. Cybersecurity: Digital threats are becoming more sophisticated. Safeguarding data, networks, and systems will require encryption, intrusion detection, development, and regulation skills. Data Science: Skills in Data Science will be increasingly sought after as businesses embrace data-driven decision-making. Extracting meaningful insights from extensive datasets and effectively communicating these findings will be essential. Soft skills: Finally, soft skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, and effective communication cannot be overlooked. Adapting, communicating, and leading will be essential for success.
Rebecca Allen
Mount St. Joseph University
Special Education And Teaching
What general advice would you give to a Web Development Consultant?
Rebecca Allen: AI, for sure. I have heard it said that AI might not replace humans, rather humans who know how to use AI well may replace humans who don't.
Ahmed Temani
Senior InstructorUniversity of Richmond
Computer/Information Technology Administration And Management
What general advice would you give to a Web Development Consultant?
Ahmed Temani: A lot of the buzz is about using chatbots to improve coding efficiency. However, there is a great need for systems level thinking and design as software is deployed across cloud and edge computing devices. Gaining more experience in systems design provides you with additional skills that complement whatever AI-based technology gets deployed.
What Web Development Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ahmed Temani: This one I'm not sure how to answer as it is too broad. I would say work hard and do quality work, but that seems obvious.
What Web Development Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Nikyra Capson: Don't be afraid of being rejected. If they see a job they want, apply. Even if they don't think they'll get it, still apply. The worst thing that could happen is being told no. Not applying is an automatic no, so they might as well try.
Daniel Asamoah Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Interim ChairWright State University
Information Systems and Supply Chain Management Department
What hard/technical skills are most important for Web Development Consultants?
Daniel Asamoah Ph.D.: Particularly for a web developer, HTML/CSS skills, scripting langue competency.
Sal Aurigemma Ph.D.
Associate Professor of CIS, J. Bradley Oxley Professor of Computer Information SystemsUniversity of Tulsa
School of Accounting and CIS at the Collins College of Business
What soft skills should all Web Development Consultants possess?
Sal Aurigemma Ph.D.: All the soft skills are important, but a few are absolutely critical in today's hybrid workforce. With the uncertainty of COVID delaying the return to the office, many companies are embracing hybrid work and/or 100% remote for some or all of their employees. Today's employees must be able to effectively communicate over a range of different modalities, both synchronously and asynchronously, while still being able to actively build and maintain relationships as they participate in one or more teams of coworkers, customers, and other stakeholders. Today's IT workers need to be honest with themselves on the work environments they can and cannot succeed within.
Ashwith Chilvery Ph.D.
Director, Dual-Degree Engineering Program, Assistant Professor of PhysicsXavier University of Louisiana
Department of Physics and Computer Science
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Web Development Consultants?
Ashwith Chilvery Ph.D.: The coronavirus pandemic has made a substantial impact on every industry across latitude and longitude. It adapted us to the new normal, which some industries see as a boon and others as bane. HigherEd, which happens to be the oldest and mature industry, is no exception. The cohort of graduates who are very special because they are flexible, comprehend concepts via simulations, videos and peer mentoring. The benefits of these pedagogies are unique, thought provoking and content rich. Subsequently, our conventional methods to calibrate or gauge student's learning outcomes were fine-tuned to current circumstances. Moreover, the prominence of online learning has also enabled us to bridge the gap. So, the repercussions of pandemic on current graduates would be narrow and low-gravity.
What's a good job out of college for Web Development Consultants?
Ashwith Chilvery Ph.D.: With increasing unemployment rates, it would be challenging for most of the graduates to find suitable and relevant jobs. More precisely, the pandemic has increased the competition by reducing the number of job vacancies. However, the students with prior internships and research experiences have an advantage to be absorbed quickly but the majority would still be on a hunt mode. In this perspective, they may want to be strategic and pursue jobs that are at a junior level but aligned with their strengths and passion. Self-employment could be other means where they could be on the learning curve and hone skills that are desired. Volunteering has always rewarded those who have embraced it. In short, graduates have to digest the current scenario and strategize their skill sets to land in their dream job.
What technical skills for a Web Development Consultant stand out to employers?
Ashwith Chilvery Ph.D.: In any job market, employers always desire graduates with sound technical skills that complement their teams. For instance, graduates may want to be cognizant of disruptive technologies in their fields such as software programming, coding, designing, 3d printing, project management, digital marketing, technical writing, data analytics and etc. In addition, employers have special fondness for graduates with multidisciplinary capabilities and skills. Having such sound skills would enable them to evolve as an independent thinker and thrive as a team player.
Elio Rivas
Department Chair – Software Engineering & MIS Keiser University Latin American CampusKeiser University Latin American Campus.
Software Engineering and Management Information Systems (MIS) Department
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Web Development Consultants?
Elio Rivas: Of course, due to the pandemic impact, a lot of companies have been forced to downsize. Nowadays the companies are looking for highly experienced professionals instead of new graduates. Even though the working modality has changed to remote, the exigencies/requirements for job applications are getting harder for new graduates.
Dr. Matthew Tennyson Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Computer ScienceMurray State University
Computer Science and Information Systems
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Web Development Consultant job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Matthew Tennyson Ph.D.: I'm no economist, but based on what I've seen, the job market in the computing industry has stayed relatively strong. There are still lots of software development and IT job openings right now. Since the pandemic has started, the biggest change is the move to working remotely. More people are just working from home now. There are currently way more remote job postings now than I've ever seen, though many of them state that working remotely is only temporary. Since schools have closed, that also means people have to deal with working while also trying to keep their kids on track with their school work. It's a difficult time for everyone right now.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Web Development Consultants?
Dr. Matthew Tennyson Ph.D.: A bachelor's degree in computer science is extremely valuable. It has been and continues to be one of the most valuable college degrees a student can pursue. I really think all areas of computing are in demand, but web and mobile computing might be one of the strongest. Some employers do like to see extra certifications in addition to the bachelor's degree. There are literally hundreds of certifications available in the computing industry. They all vary in the required amount of time, effort, and money. I think anything that can set a candidate apart from other candidates is valuable, and that includes any certification. I would not recommend investing thousands of dollars into additional certifications after completing a bachelor's degree, but I don't think it's a bad idea for students to pursue one of the free or lower-cost certifications that are available - especially those students who might not have strong internship experience, extracurricular activities, projects, etc. to put on their resumes. I think anything DevOps related or cloud-based like Amazon's AWS or Microsoft's Azure are especially valuable right now.
What's a good job out of college for Web Development Consultants?
Dr. Matthew Tennyson Ph.D.: Any job is a good job out of college! Even if it isn't a perfect fit, that first job can be used to gain experience, and can be used as a stepping stone toward that ideal job. Gaining experience is key. It should really start before graduation. Ideally, a student would have at least one summer internship before graduating. Internships can often lead to permanent job offers after graduation. I've even heard of students, who might struggle to find a permanent job offer after graduation, pursue an internship to not only gain experience but also with the hope that it will lead to a permanent opportunity with that company.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Web Development Consultants?
Bob Sweeney Ph.D.: I don't think so but I can't predict the future. The job market in this area seems to be solidifying and there are numerous local, regional, and national employers participating in our University's career fair this semester.
What's a good job out of college for Web Development Consultants?
Bob Sweeney Ph.D.: Very likely there will be more remote workers at least for the near future. Many organizations are hiring and expecting workers in their facilities. Students have been getting more exposure to Zoom, Slack, Discourse, Discord, Git, and other remote collaboration tools during their last semesters which should ease their transition to a workplace using these applications.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Web Development Consultant job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Tao Ju: History has proven that engineers have fared well in the most challenging job markets; the aftermath of this pandemic will be no different. If anything, we may see some industries pull back on hiring while other industries pick up (health care, technology, consumer products, etc.). As the global economy remains a bit turbulent, it's likely that we'll see more just-in-time hiring. Companies may be cautious to hire new grads 6-9 months prior to graduation like we've seen in recent years, but it will only be temporary. Until things stabilize a bit more, companies may turn to hiring more interns or contractors to fill gaps. However, the overall demand for engineers will not slow for a significant period of time. We'll see companies use more virtual recruiting strategies because they have seen the success they can have with multi-school virtual sessions, online job fairs and video interviewing. More and more companies will integrate artificial intelligence to standardize and simplify their recruiting process. We'll also see an upward trend in diversity, equity and inclusive (DEI) hiring practices as more candidates seek out diverse and inclusive employers and more attention is drawn to ongoing challenges.
What skills stand out on Web Development Consultant resumes?
Dr. Brock LaMeres Ph.D.: All companies are looking for some experience beyond the classrooms. This can be through internships or doing research at their universities. But students still need to show an acceptable GPA to show employers that they understand the fundamentals of their discipline.
What experience really stands out on Web Development Consultant resumes?
Dr. Simone Ludwig: Capstone experience, Internship or Co-op experience, and working on a research project will stand out on a resume.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Web Development Consultants?
Hang Dinh Ph.D.: I don't think there will be an enduring impact from the coronavirus on graduates of mathematics and computer science. The Internet and technology industries are booming during the pandemic, which needs graduates in math and computer science.
What type of skills will young Web Development Consultants need?
Hang Dinh Ph.D.: In the coming years, when life is still being impacted by the pandemic in some way, graduates who enter the workforce may need skills that help them work efficiently from home. Those skills would include time management, self-motivation, and the ability to use technology. Of course, they still need the skills that are usually needed for their jobs, such as communication skills, teamwork, etc.
What experience really stands out on Web Development Consultant resumes?
Hang Dinh Ph.D.: Determining which experiences stand out on resumes depends on the position. For example, when we look for developers for ExtentWorld, we would love someone with experience in building complex or large scale systems and in designing advanced algorithms. The experience of simple coding would not stand out for such a position. At ExtentWorld, we have code-generating tools that help us build a complex one-stop social media platform at Extentworld with just two developers. This means the simple coding tasks can be automated. Graduates of computer science should have more than just coding experience.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Web Development Consultants?
Elisa Beshero-Bondar Ph.D.: Yes, there certainly will. My digital project design course this fall involved seniors working entirely remotely on teams, and learning to work with GitHub, as well as Slack and Discord to coordinate together. Everything was more virtual than ever this year, and I know that these students learned more than ever before the pandemic about virtual task management and teamwork, because they relied on it more than ever to be connected with each other. They're marked by that awareness, and my colleagues indicate that those who graduate will be more resourceful and productive than before, and ready to work at a distance as needed.
What type of skills will young Web Development Consultants need?
Elisa Beshero-Bondar Ph.D.: Our graduates will need the vital skill of "looking stuff up" to find the most reliable and cost-efficient technological tools for a task. They need strong virtual as well as in-person communication skills, and they need experience with careful data and file curation. They need to be good at debugging problems and finding solutions, rather than presuming that the tech a company relies on will "just work." These things will help our students find good jobs and become indispensable employees.
What experience really stands out on Web Development Consultant resumes?
Elisa Beshero-Bondar Ph.D.: Designing and developing a whole project from plan to completion, whether solo or on a team. A student with coursework involving coding won't stand out as much as a student who has applied what they have learned to a project they made themselves or with a clearly defined role on a team. A student who successfully leads a project team (during a pandemic!) clearly has much to offer the workforce.
Brian Law
Assistant Professor of Computer ScienceIllinois Wesleyan University
Computer Science Department
What Web Development Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Brian Law: There are several areas that are "hot" right now, such as the previously-mentioned data science, artificial intelligence, and systems, but also cybersecurity and databases/data warehousing. That being said, the most important thing for a new graduate seeking employment to do is just to do anything, produce something. Tech employers don't and have never trusted computer science credentialing; that mistrust is the origin of the infamous "tech interview," used to verify whether a candidate actually has the technical skills to back up their piece of paper.
So to preemptively answer that question and get a leg up on other candidates, graduates should be sure to generate some artifact(s) that demonstrate(s) their technical and organizational skills. Show them that you can plan a project, design it, see it through in programming it, and do so in a responsible, organized manner (good coding style, readable code, well-documented, and using proper version control), and you'll have addressed your future employer's greatest worries right off the bat.
If it's a project in one of these "hot" areas or specifically tuned for the work the employer does, all the better, but anything the employer is doing is probably leagues beyond what a fresh graduate can do by themselves in a few months, so ultimately they're not going to be that impressed with your domain-specific technical knowledge. Instead treat it more as an opportunity to show off your "soft" skills, your programming maturity, and your ability to actually produce a product rather than just answer exam questions. And while you're at it, you might as well make it something fun for yourself so you'll be driven to finish it.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Web Development Consultant job market given the pandemic?
Brian Law: I'm not sure the pandemic has really changed anything, so much as it's accelerated existing trends. Large firms are still expanding their IT workforces - or planning to when the economy recovers - with increased interest in data science, artificial intelligence, and systems, especially with an eye towards contracting IT infrastructure and services, and moving towards decentralized work, whether that be in the form of remote work, "smart" technology, and/or the cloud.
All of these were happening already pre-pandemic as the various technologies matured, but the pandemic seems to have accelerated those trends as companies are both tightening their belts in the short-term and planning ahead for the long-term. Smaller firms may be struggling to survive, but technological progress has not stopped, so while overall job numbers may be down in any given month, that just means there's a lot of pent-up demand for when the economy recovers.
For example, the pandemic has pushed a lot of small businesses and restaurants to adopt online ordering and shopping systems; those systems aren't just going away when the pandemic ends, and new post-pandemic businesses will have to compete against incumbents with significant technology investments.
What general advice would you give to a Web Development Consultant?
Brian Law: i) Explore your options thoroughly. Too many students get bewitched by Big Tech companies, with their bold promises, their fancy campuses, their big recruitment events, and their nice swag. Nowadays, this also happens to students with start-ups. But those jobs are not only highly competitive, but they also have very similarly exacting work cultures and very little work-life balance. These are cutthroat environments that are, frankly, not suited for everyone. Instead, many graduates would probably be happier working at, say, medium or small-size companies where they can find a workplace culture that fits them rather than the other way around, or non-tech companies where the pressure is lower because the goal is more stability and support rather than rapid innovation. Of course, this is the exact same dynamic that plays out with young consultants, accountants, lawyers, and doctors, who are also often initially attracted to high-powered, high-pressure environments but often end up deciding it's not for them, especially as they get older and start thinking about families.
ii) Specialize. There's no job out there with the title, "Computer Scientist." Employers are looking to hire you for a specific set of skills and knowledge. If you can identify the area of Computer Science you're interested in and the work you want to do in that area, you can again get a big leg up over your competition if you can demonstrate that you actually want to do what your future employer wants you to and that you're good at it. If you want to work with databases, then take those extra database electives and learn some other database technologies on your own time, and your resume will stand out amongst all the others for any DBA job.
iii) Don't sweat it too much. You've probably been alive for 22 years or so, so you'll probably be in the labor force for 50+ years. Your first job is not going to be your last job, and you may easily find your career path taking unexpected turns that you never even knew existed. Just like you didn't know what the areas of computer science were as a freshman, there are many many CS-related job types out there that you're not even aware of, and 50 years from now, there will probably be even more. While it may seem like your first job will set you on one path for the rest of your life, really it starts you towards 5000 possible paths out of millions in total. No, you don't get the stability of a "job for life" anymore, but that can also be freeing in a way. Don't worry about finding that "perfect" job; even if you did find it, you and the world around you will change over time anyway, so just take your first step confidently and always keep an eye out for your next one.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Web Development Consultants?
Dr. Shaun Cooper Ph.D.: For most graduates, no. Most employers have their own platforms, so the effects from the pandemic are not in play as the employer; the investment into the new graduate would be similar with or without the pandemic. The new graduate may have a more difficult time catching up from the loss of some educational experiences from the pandemic, but I think it will even out in twelve to eighteen months. Some examples of the biggest challenges for new graduates are the transitions to working with others and being in offices. The past eighteen months has allowed all of us to enhance our bad personal habits; the new graduate is likely to bring these to work and expect that this is normal (e.g., bathing, eating at the desk, playing games during work time).
What experience really stands out on Web Development Consultant resumes?
Dr. Shaun Cooper Ph.D.: The most important experience on a graduate's resume is the fact that they worked during their undergraduate years. Employers certainly prefer a student who has had a computer science-related internship, but regular employment experience is equally important. The recruiters want to see a person who has been in the employment system. A student who has never had any job is more of a gamble to an employer.
As for internships, one internship is good. A second one is even better. Preferably doing a different activity and maybe at a different employer.
As the Chief Information Officer at NMSU (now retired), I oversaw 100-plus regular employees. When we interviewed new graduates, it was very important to me to see that the applicant had consistent, continuous (part-time) employment.
What type of skills will young Web Development Consultants need?
Dr. Shaun Cooper Ph.D.: Most young graduates want to be game developers. Frankly, there are too few jobs in game development for students to find a reasonable change. The skills employers want are in using SQL with relational databases, and they want the ability to work in a full stack development environment and the willingness to learn new platforms and programming environments. The employer has a huge investment in their development stack, and the new employee has to learn that stack. Also, they want employees with the ability to communicate with management and, most importantly, the ability to work with others. The graduate should be solid in basic data structures and how they are applied to solutions. Additionally dynamic HTML web services are welcome.
How do you envision technology impacting Web Development Consultants in the next 5 years?
Hilary Walrod: I envision that continual technological development - and widespread use of digital technology - will yield increasing opportunities to apply art and design skills in the field of interactive design.
Tammy Bosley Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Program Coordinator for Communication StudiesLorain County Community College
Arts & Humanities Division
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Web Development Consultants in the next 3-5 years?
Tammy Bosley Ph.D.: I think we'll continue to use digital platforms such as Zoom, WebEx, and Teams. We'll likely see improved options in these platforms, such as enhanced breakout rooms, better file-sharing capabilities, and synchronous document creation/editing. If we continue to work from home, these platforms will also need to do well on smartphones.
What Web Development Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kara Glenn: Focus on the digital sphere. Learn more about SEO, Paid Social Media Advertising, AdWords, Head mapping, and user experience.