Hourly Wages of Developers

© 2012 by Aurelio Locsin.

Software developers create computer software that enables systems to run or allows users to perform tasks. They typically work in comfortable offices, though some are able to work at home through telecommuting. About a quarter worked more than 40 hours a week in 2010 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Developers who specialize in system software earned a mean $48.28 per hour, which equals $110,420 per year. This is as of May 2011, according to the BLS. However, the lowest-earning 10 percent made less than $30.03 per hour and the highest-paid received over $70.69 per hour. They earn their wages by developing and testing software that allows computer hardware to function. They also handle compilers and network distribution software. Most worked in computer systems design at mean wages of $47.66 per hour. But their best pay was in other schools such as those for fine arts, sports and recreation, exam preparation and languages. Mean salaries here ran $64.69 per hour.

Applications developers received a mean $44.27 per hour or $92,080 per year in 2011, with a range of $26.43 to $65.62 per hour in 2011 states the BLS. They create software with which users can perform tasks such as organizing customer records, preparing corporate budgets, writing school reports and playing games. They may work individually or as part of a team, and may supervise computer programmers. Most worked in computers systems design to earn mean wages of $44.25 per hour. However, their highest pay was in animal slaughtering and processing, with averages at $72.34 per hour.

Front-end web developers working full-time earned a median $30 per hour, or $60,000 per year, according to the 2011 salary survey compiled by the American Institute of Graphic Design. The 25^th percentile made $25 per hour and the 75^th percentile earned $37.50 per hour. Front-end specialists creates the interactive parts of a web page such as buttons, drop-downs and text boxes that users can use to enter information. Websites can then use the entries to display related data or to create database records. Independent web developers earned a median $60 an hour. This rate is higher because freelancers have to pay for their own benefits, such as health insurance, and must account for time not spent working, such as during marketing.

Full-time back-end web developers made median $35 per hour with a range of $27.50 to $40 per hour in 2011, states the AIGA salary survey. They develop code that processes web information unseen by the user. This includes the Internet databases that records customer purchases or programming interfaces that links web entries with software on user systems. Freelance web developers made a median $60 per hour.