web developer
Snapshot
Are you passionate about crafting engaging online experiences? As a web developer, you’ll build and maintain the websites and applications that connect businesses with their audiences, playing a vital role in shaping the digital landscape.
Web developers are responsible for translating design concepts into functional, user-friendly web applications. Working closely with designers and stakeholders, they develop, implement, and document web-accessible software, ensuring alignment with business strategy. This role demands a blend of technical skill, problem-solving abilities, and a keen eye for detail. You'll be constantly evaluating and improving existing applications to enhance performance and user satisfaction.
- • Developing and implementing web-based software solutions based on design specifications.
- • Troubleshooting and resolving software defects and technical issues.
- • Documenting code and development processes for maintainability and collaboration.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Deeper colour: reported the same way in more consecutive years.
Figures cover Information and communications technology professionals — 75 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Netherlands and 2 more.
Longest-running shortage: Cyprus, 4 years.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
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Find your career path and explore the science behind our recommendations.
Could web developer fit you?
Answer three quick questions. This is not a full assessment — it is a teaser to help you decide whether to compare your profile.
Do you enjoy tasks that require Dependability?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Attention to Detail?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Analytical Thinking?
Future Outlook for web developer
The outlook for web developer reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could web developer change as AI adoption grows?
Several task areas may shift toward AI-assisted workflows, so reskilling becomes more important.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How could web developer change as AI adoption grows?
Several task areas may shift toward AI-assisted workflows, so reskilling becomes more important.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
Most tasks here are AI-assistable rather than purely human-led.
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- use an application-specific interface
- use e-services
- develop digital content
Tasks most exposed to automation
- collect customer feedback on applications
- use software libraries
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Digital Technology
A typical day as a web developer
09 09:00 · Morning analyse software specifications
10 10:30 · Mid-morning interpret technical texts
12 12:00 · Midday debug software
14 14:00 · Afternoon develop software prototype
15 15:30 · Late afternoon use an application-specific interface
17 17:00 · Wrap-up implement front-end website design
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
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domain name service
Naming database which maps internet domain names to Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. The Domain Name System allows internet users to utilise names such as website titles instead of remembering numeric IP addresses used by computers to locate a concrete website
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ICT debugging tools
The ICT tools used to test and debug programs and software code, such as GNU Debugger (GDB), Intel Debugger (IDB), Microsoft Visual Studio Debugger, Valgrind and WinDbg.
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integrated development environment software
The suite of software development tools for writing programs, such as compiler, debugger, code editor, code highlights, packaged in a unified user interface, such as Visual Studio or Eclipse.
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Joomla
The open-source web-based software system written in PHP, used for creating, editing, publishing and archiving blogs, articles, corporate or small business websites, social networking websites or press releases.
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tools for software configuration management
The software programs to perform configuration identification, control, status accounting and audit, such as CVS, ClearCase, Subversion, GIT and TortoiseSVN perform this management.
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web based collaborative platforms
Online tools which facilitate communication and collaboration among Internet users in real time. Platforms with a range of functionalities created to facilitate organisational team work or promote productive workflow among other features.
- computer programming
- content development processes
- style sheet languages
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use markup languages
Utilise computer languages that are syntactically distinguishable from the text, to add annotations to a document, specify layout and process types of documents such as HTML.
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debug software
Repair computer code by analysing testing results, locating the defects causing the software to output an incorrect or unexpected result and remove these faults.
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develop software prototype
Create a first incomplete or preliminary version of a piece of software application to simulate some specific aspects of the final product.
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analyse software specifications
Assess the specifications of a software product or system to be developed by identifying functional and non-functional requirements, constraints and possible sets of use cases which illustrate interactions between the software and its users.
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use e-services
Participate in society through the use of public and private digital services. Seek opportunities for self-empowerment and for participatory citizenship through appropriate digital technologies.
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develop digital content
Create and edit digital content in different formats, express oneself through digital means.
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use an application-specific interface
Understand and use interfaces particular to an application or use case.
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use software design patterns
Utilise reusable solutions, formalised best practices, to solve common ICT development tasks in software development and design.
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translate requirements into visual design
Develop visual design from given specifications and requirements, based on the analysis of the scope and target audience. Create a visual representation of ideas such as logos, website graphics, digital games and layouts.
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collect customer feedback on applications
Gather a response and analyse data from customers to identify requests or problems in order to improve applications and overall customer satisfaction.
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interpret technical texts
Read and understand technical texts that provide information on how to perform a task, usually explained in steps.
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use software libraries
Utilise collections of codes and software packages which capture frequently used routines to help programmers simplify their work.
Skill DNA
Work personality traits and values that define this role
See whether this role fits your Career DNA
Take the free Career DNA assessment to see how web developer aligns with your interests, work style, and future path. In less than 10 minutes, you will get a personalized fit signal and a roadmap for what to do next.
Scan to continue on mobileGrowth Pathways & Similar Roles
Explore typical career progression paths, adjacent skills, and similar roles to plan your next transition.
Where does web developer fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
Frequently asked questions
- What skills are most important for a web developer?
- Strong coding skills in languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript are essential. Familiarity with frameworks like React, Angular, or Vue.js is also highly valuable. Beyond coding, problem-solving, attention to detail, and the ability to work collaboratively are crucial.
- Can I become a web developer without a formal computer science degree?
- Yes! While a degree can be beneficial, many successful web developers are self-taught or have completed coding bootcamps. Building a strong portfolio of projects is key to demonstrating your skills to potential employers.
- What does it mean to 'align the client's web presence with its business strategy'?
- This means ensuring the website or application reflects the brand's identity, supports its marketing goals, and provides a user experience that drives business results. It's about more than just aesthetics; it's about functionality and achieving specific business objectives.
- Web Developer — is there a shortage in Europe?
- Yes. In the 2025 ELA/EURES edition, a shortage was reported in 6 of the 11 European countries that assessed this occupation group: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Netherlands and 2 more. Cyprus has reported one for 4 consecutive years. These assessments are published per occupation group rather than per job title.
- Web Developer — what does it pay in the United States?
- $90,930 a year at the median, as of 2025-05. State medians run from $46,020 to $130,440. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a United States figure and not a projection for Europe.