When you hear web developer salary 2025, the average pay for professionals who build and maintain websites and web applications. Also known as software developer pay, it varies wildly depending on experience, location, and the tech you use. In the UK, it’s not just about knowing HTML and CSS anymore—your earnings depend on whether you’re building simple sites with WordPress or managing full-stack apps with React and Node.js.
freelance web developer rates, how much independent developers charge per hour or per project. Also known as web development freelance pricing, they range from £25/hour for beginners to over £100/hour for experts who can handle complex systems. If you’re working full-time for a company, salaries start around £28,000 for juniors and climb to £65,000+ for senior roles in London. Outside the capital, you’ll see lower numbers—but often lower living costs too. The biggest jump? Learning JavaScript, the core language powering most interactive websites and front-end frameworks. Also known as JS, it’s the one skill that opens doors to higher-paying roles in both agencies and tech startups. Companies don’t just want someone who can make a site look good—they need people who can fix performance issues, integrate APIs, and make sites work smoothly on every device.
What you earn also depends on what you’re building. A developer who works with Shopify or WordPress might make less than someone who builds custom backends with Python or Node.js. And if you’re good at web developer salary 2025 research, you’ll notice that those who combine design skills with coding—like knowing Figma and React together—get paid more. It’s not about knowing every tool. It’s about solving real problems: speeding up slow sites, fixing broken mobile layouts, or helping businesses make more money online.
You’ll find real examples below—from what a beginner in Manchester earns after three months of freelancing, to how much a senior developer in Edinburgh makes managing a team. We’ve pulled data from actual job postings, client contracts, and developer surveys across the UK. No guesses. No fluff. Just what people are getting paid right now.
Web developers are still in high demand in 2025, but the skills needed have evolved. AI hasn't replaced them-it's raised the bar. Learn what employers really want and how to break into the field.
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