How to Become a WordPress Developer

As of 2025, WordPress powers 43.5% of all websites on the internet. That’s a big number. This shows how popular and useful WordPress is. Because of this, many people have been able to build a career using WordPress. We are sharing this post to help you do the same.

In this post, we’ll share what you need to know to become a WordPress developer. We’ll also include tips from Paul Bearne’s session, “Finding your WordPress lifestyle – insider insights from a veteran coder,” at WordCamp Europe 2022.

What is a WordPress Developer?

A WordPress developer is someone who works with the WordPress platform. They know how it works and how to make it better. They might build new tools like themes and plugins. They might also help others set up and manage their WordPress sites.

Some developers create things for WordPress itself. Others work with people or companies to build and fix websites. Many developers do both.

You may ask — if WordPress is easy to use, why do people need developers?

While WordPress is simple for basic tasks, it can get tricky when users want to change a lot of things. People may need help to keep their site safe, back up their data, or fully change how their site looks. That’s where a WordPress developer comes in.

In short, developers handle the harder jobs that many users can’t do on their own.

What Does a WordPress Developer Do?

A WordPress developer works on either the front-end (what users see), the back-end (how things work), or both. They often create custom themes and plugins. These help websites look and work the way the client wants.

They may also:

• Build the layout for a new site.
• Move an old site to WordPress.
• Improve a site’s SEO and design.

Some developers don’t work for clients. Instead, they work on the WordPress software itself. They fix bugs and add new features to make WordPress better for everyone.

This is just a small part of what WordPress developers do. To really understand the job, let’s look at an example.

How Much Do WordPress Developers Make?

If you are thinking about becoming a WordPress developer, it’s good to know how much money WordPress developers usually make.

From what we’ve seen, WordPress is used all over the world. Because of that, income can change depending on where we live and where the company is based.

There are a few main things that affect how much we can earn:

• The type of job. For example, if we work as a freelancers or full-time.
• Our location. In general, developers in the U.S. earn more.
• Our skills and experience. The more we know, the more we can earn.
• Still, looking at data can help us get a general idea of what to expect.

WordPress Developer Salary for Full-Time Jobs

Here’s what we found about full-time WordPress salaries in the U.S.:

• ZipRecruiter: Average salary is $84,542. Most people earn between $60,500 and $99,500.
• Glassdoor: Median pay is $87,000. The range is between $65,000 and $116,000.
• Indeed: Average base pay is $61,808. Most people earn between $34,398 and $111,061.
• Built In: Average pay is $74,278. The range is between $55,000 and $96,000.

Salaries can change a lot depending on the location. For example, Indeed says WordPress developers in Boston, Massachusetts make about $93,500, which is higher than the national average.

WordPress Developer Freelance Hourly Rate

Freelance developers are paid by the hour. These rates also change a lot.

On Codeable (a WordPress-specific site), developers earn between $80 and $120 per hour.

On Upwork (a general freelance site), the rates are lower — between $15 and $28 per hour.

The amount we can charge depends on our skills, how well we can sell our service, and how good we are at working with people.

Where Do WordPress Developers Work?

WordPress developers can work in different ways. This is one reason why many people enjoy this career.

Let’s look at the main options:

In-House

We can work full-time with one company. This is called an in-house job.

Many large companies that use WordPress hire developers to help with their websites. Some developers also work for companies that make WordPress themes, plugins, or hosting services. These jobs can be remote or in the office, depending on the company.

Agency

Many developers work at agencies. These agencies build and manage websites for other companies.

Agencies can be big or small. Some well-known ones are Human Made and 10up. Just like in-house jobs, agency work can also be remote or in-person.

Freelance or Consultant

We can also work as freelancers or consultants. This means we work for ourselves and choose which projects to take.

We might work with clients directly or work with agencies that need extra help.

Freelancers can work from anywhere, which gives us more freedom. There are two main ways to find freelance work:

• Direct clients: We build a website or portfolio and find our own clients. This can be slow at first, but we keep all the money we earn.
• Freelance sites: We can join marketplaces like Codeable, Upwork, or Toptal to find work.

Solopreneur or Small Business Owner

Some developers create and sell their own WordPress themes or plugins. We can start as a one-person business (solopreneur) and sell our products online. Some choose to grow their business and hire a team later. This can be a great way to earn money and have full control over our work.

Job Outlook for WordPress Developers

As people working in the WordPress field, we sometimes feel unsure about the future. One reason is that in early 2025, the leaders of WordPress said there would only be one new release this year. This change made us a bit worried.

Even so, WordPress is still very popular today, and that is a good sign for jobs. While its share in the CMS market dropped slightly, WordPress still powers 61.3% of websites that use a known CMS, according to W3Techs in April 2025.

Also, WordPress is used by 43.4% of all websites in W3Techs’ data. The second most used CMS is Shopify, but it powers only 4.8% of websites.

So, even if growth has slowed a little, WordPress is still used on a huge number of websites. That means there are still many job chances for WordPress developers.

What about AI WordPress coding tools?

While WordPress is strong now, we do think that AI tools could change the future. These tools can help write code for WordPress and some are made just for WordPress tasks.

We’ve even seen people create full plugins using only AI tools like CodeWP or other coding assistants. That’s pretty amazing.

We don’t think AI will fully replace WordPress developers yet. But AI can help developers do more in less time, so companies may need fewer developers.

If you want to start a career in WordPress development, here are two helpful tips about using AI:

• If you’re a freelancer or consultant, offering great customer service can help you stand out from others.
• Don’t ignore AI tools. Instead, learn how to use them. This will make your work faster and help you become more valuable.

Fields Related to WordPress Development

WordPress development is a big area, and it connects with many other fields. Let’s take a look at some of the fields that are closely linked to WordPress development.

Front-end Web Developer:

Front-end development is one of the most common parts of WordPress work. In this role, we turn a design into a real website. We may change an existing theme or build a new one. Sometimes, we also build custom plugins or blocks to help with the front end of a WordPress site.

Plugin Developer:

As plugin developers, we can work with a company, an agency, or directly with clients as freelancers. We can also build our own plugins and sell them. But to do this well, we may also need to know about marketing or team up with someone who does.

Theme Developer:

Theme development is a lot like plugin development. We can work in-house, join an agency, or freelance. We can also create our own themes and sell them. For example, Tom Usborne made the GeneratePress theme, which became very popular.

WooCommerce Development:

WooCommerce is used to build online stores with WordPress. Because it needs many features, WooCommerce work can feel like a separate field. There are many types of WooCommerce jobs, such as:

• Working on WooCommerce’s main software
• Creating online stores for clients
• Joining a WooCommerce agency
• Building plugins that add extra features
• Creating and selling WooCommerce themes

WordPress Implementer:

There is often a debate about the difference between WordPress developers and implementers.
In short:

• Implementers use ready-made tools like themes and plugins to build websites.
• Developers write their own code to create custom tools and solutions.
• Even if we don’t know how to code, we can still work as implementers and help clients build websites.
• This can be a great way to learn more before moving into full development work.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO):

Even though SEO might seem like a different topic, it’s still closely linked to WordPress. Many people use WordPress to rank well on search engines.

As WordPress developers, we can help with SEO and use tools like programmatic SEO. Learning basic SEO can also help us stand out from other developers.

How to Become a WordPress Developer

Step 1: Learn the basics of coding

WordPress is known for being easy to use, even without coding. But if we want to be developers (not just implementers), we need to learn how to code.

Learn PHP:
WordPress is mostly built with PHP, so it’s an important language to learn. If we’ve never used PHP before, we can try free lessons like Codecademy’s PHP course. We can also read helpful posts like:

• How to make a WordPress plugin
• How to fix PHP errors in WordPress
• How to change the PHP memory limit
• How to turn on WordPress debug mode

Learn HTML and CSS:
HTML and CSS are also important for building WordPress sites, especially for front-end work. We can start with free courses on Codecademy, such as:

• HTML and CSS basics
• Beginner projects for HTML
• CSS classes and how to use them
• Adding CSS to HTML

Learn JavaScript:
JavaScript has become more important since WordPress launched the new block editor and Site Editor. Learning JavaScript will help us work better with these tools. Codecademy also has a free course to get started with JavaScript.

Step 2: Read up on WordPress specifically

After we learn the basic coding skills, the next step is to read about WordPress itself. This will help us understand what makes WordPress special as a CMS.

For example, we need to learn about WordPress actions, filters, hooks, and how the WordPress database works. Here are some helpful resources for different steps in becoming a WordPress developer:

• WordPress Codex: This is the official guide made by the WordPress team. It explains everything from simple site building to advanced topics, like how to add AJAX to a custom plugin.
• Envato Tuts+: This website offers tutorials, courses, and ebooks on WordPress. It covers many topics like the Codex but also has pictures and videos, which help if we like to learn by seeing.
• WordPress Developer Resources: WordPress gives a list of developer tools, like code references and handbooks for APIs, plugins, themes, and the block editor. This is important as we get better at development.
• Know the Code: For those who like video lessons, this site offers courses for plugin and theme developers. It teaches how to build plugins and themes from the beginning and is good for advanced learners.

Step 3: Choose a focus area

WordPress development has three main areas: the core software, plugins, and themes. We can choose to focus on one or work across all three. With the block editor becoming popular, block development is now a fourth important area. This overlaps with themes and plugins. Paul Bearne, a WordPress core contributor, said skills in one area can often be used in the others.

Here is a quick look at the four areas:

• Core Development: This means working on the WordPress software itself. Anyone can join this work by checking code, fixing bugs, or adding new code. There is an official guide for core developers.
• Theme Development: Here, we build custom themes for clients, give them away for free, or sell them on other sites. There is also a guide for theme developers.
• Plugin Development: This is about making custom plugins. Like themes, plugins can be made for clients, shared for free, or sold. There is a handbook for plugin developers too.
• Block Development: If we know JavaScript well, we can build custom blocks for the block editor or create plugins that add new blocks. There is a handbook for block developers.

These are the main areas, but others exist too. For example, working with APIs is growing and can be a good way to earn money. When choosing, we should pick what fits our skills, interests, and how much we want to earn.

Step 4: Create a development environment for testing

Setting up a development environment is very important for every developer. It helps us work faster and usually leads to a better result. We can set up a local or remote environment. This is where we keep WordPress core files, plugins, and theme files.

With this setup, we can test and see changes right away in a web browser. It will look like a normal website, but the files come from our own computer, not from the real site on the internet. This makes it easier to work with a team and fix any problems before we share our custom themes, plugins, or security updates with users.

We can use any basic local environment, but it is simpler to use tools made just for WordPress. Some good free tools we like are DevKinsta and Local. Both work on different computers, such as Windows and Mac.

Step 5: Become an active member of the WordPress community

When we compare WordPress to Joomla, Drupal, and other CMSs, WordPress has the biggest community in the world. This is one of the best things about WordPress. We can talk with millions of members through support forums, Slack chats, or meet them in real life at WordCamps and other events. Being part of this community helps us fix software problems, learn about updates, and meet new people.

Join the online communities:
To start, we should join the Make WordPress Slack channel. This is a live chat where we can talk to many WordPress users. We can also join comment threads on Make WordPress and help out in the WordPress.org support forums. Besides these official groups, other communities like Post Status are helpful too. Post Status is for WordPress professionals. It costs money, but the networking is worth it.

Attend an in-person event:
Talking online is good, but one thing we love about WordPress is the many in-person events. These events help us meet others and build connections. There are big WordCamp events in the U.S., Europe, and Asia, plus many smaller local WordCamps. To see all events, we can visit WordCamp Central. There are also smaller meetups where WordPress users meet in cafes or other places. We can find these on Meetup.com by searching for our local area.

WordPress Developer Lifestyles

As WordPress developers, we have many choices for where and how we work. Some jobs are very different from others.

Let’s look at the types of workplaces we can join and what to expect in each one. These ideas are shared from a session by Bearne at WCEU.

1. Corporate Company

Working at a corporate company is like working for a large office or government group. We work normal hours and follow set rules. Most projects have clear plans and long deadlines.

Skills and Requirements

• Formal training or a degree
• Good writing skills
• XML knowledge may be needed

Pros

• Steady salary and benefits
• Good place to start our career
• Chance to learn from others

Cons

• May need to travel
• Less freedom to be creative

2. Staffing Agencies:

These agencies find jobs for us in different companies. The agency pays us, but another company gives us tasks. It’s good to stay in touch with the agency staff.

Skills and Requirements:

• Skills needed can be very different for each job.

Pros:

• Flexible work
• Can ask for better pay

Cons:

• May or may not get time off or benefits.

3. Media Company:

Media companies move fast and need strong websites. We must work well with others and handle busy days.

Skills and Requirements:

• Teamwork
• Good social skills

Pros:

• Fun, fast-moving job
• May get perks like event tickets

Cons:

• Tight deadlines
• Lots of pressure

4. Small Agencies:

Small agencies often work with local clients. They are usually based outside big cities. This is a good choice if we like small towns.

Skills and Requirements:

• Able to do many kinds of work
• Need to explain things to clients

Pros:

• Friendly and family-like workplaces

Cons:

• Work depends on client needs, not always our choice

5. Large Agencies:

These are big, fancy companies in large cities. They work with major brands. We may work here as freelancers or contractors.

Skills and Requirements:

• Handle pressure
• Build strong work relationships

Pros:

• Interesting and new types of work
• Chance to grow skills
• Meet many new people

Cons:

• Very fast-paced
• Can get tired or burned out

6. Government Digital Services:

This feels like a design agency but with a bigger purpose. We work on projects that help the public.

Skills and Requirements:

• Work with people from other teams
• Push ideas even when it’s hard

Pros:

• Work that helps many lives.

Cons:

• Ideas may get rejected often.

7. Freelance:

As freelancers, we pick our own clients. We have more freedom but also more work. We need money for tools and a home office.

Skills and Requirements:

• Good time management
• Comfortable working alone
• Business experience helps

Pros:

• Can connect with another freelancer
• Can build our own agency

Cons:

• Need to find our own clients
• Hard to take time off
• Lots of admin tasks

8. Premium Plugin or Theme Development:

We can make our own plugins or themes and sell them. This can be fun and earn money, but it’s also a lot of work. Bearne made a plugin called Matador Jobs with a partner.

Skills and Requirements:

• Sales and admin skills
• Help customers after launch

Pros:

• Earn money regularly
• It can be something we enjoy

Cons:

• Takes time to build
• Support work never ends

9. Freelance Platform:

Sites like Arc or Code Mentor help us find freelance jobs. Some people use these when their own work is slow.

Skills and Requirements:

• Need the right skills for each platform
• Manage time well
• Okay working alone

Pros:

• Some platforms give support
• Can meet new people

Cons:

• Lots of competition
• Payments in USD can be hard for non-US users

10. Distributed Agency:

This is a remote agency with top-level work and clients. We work from home but stay connected through video calls and chat.

Skills and Requirements:

• Clear and friendly communication

Pros:

• Less admin work
• Part-time options
• Can get event support or WordPress Core help

Cons:

• Work from home only
• No in-person meetings

WordPress Theme Development

WordPress themes are not part of the main WordPress system. They are groups of files that change how a website looks without changing the core WordPress software.

This is helpful because when we update WordPress, the look of our website stays the same. If themes were part of the core files, we would lose all our custom work every time we update.

Themes are popular because they let us change the design without needing to know how to code. Some themes are free, and others cost between $60 and $200.

One good example is Tom Usborne’s GeneratePress theme, which is used on over 600,000 websites. He also sells a paid add-on starting at $59.

As theme developers, we can build themes for ourselves, for clients, or for public use. If we choose to share with the public, we can post it on the WordPress directory for free or sell it on websites like ThemeForest.

Every developer has their own style. Some choose a ready-made theme and make changes using the built-in settings.

With the new Site Editor, building themes is easier now. Tools like theme.json and the Style Manager help us design with blocks. If we know JavaScript, we can create even better custom blocks.

No matter our reason, building themes helps us improve our HTML, CSS, PHP, and JavaScript skills.

WordPress Plugin Development

WordPress plugins are small software tools that we add to our site to give it more features. Like themes, plugins do not change the core WordPress software. This is great because our site stays safe during updates.

Plugins are perfect for adding new tools to our websites. There are over 59,000 free plugins in the official WordPress directory. There are also many premium plugins on other websites.

Plugins can make small or big changes. For example, we can add a WhatsApp share button, or even make a site with more than one language.

There are plugins that can check for broken links, run tests, improve contact forms, make image sliders, back up sites, collect emails, and more.

Even though there are many plugins already, there is still room to create new ones. If we build a plugin that solves a problem in a better way, people will use it.

For example, in early 2025, Ryan Howard launched a plugin called Website LLMs.txt. It already has over 29,000 downloads and is used on more than 8,000 websites.

Starting a New Career Path

Learning to become a WordPress developer can be fun and rewarding. We do need to spend time learning and trying new things. But it can lead to good income and flexible work.
There are some challenges, like AI coding tools and changes in the WordPress leadership. But WordPress is still very popular, so developers are still needed.