The rates charged by WordPress developers vary significantly and are influenced by numerous factors, such as experience level, project complexity, and location. Despite this, it is natural to wonder how much a WordPress developer should be paid to build a project.
This article sheds light on how to hire WordPress developers, which factors influence the rates, how to estimate the cost of your WordPress project, and how to find the proper developer for your needs.
Additionally, we will break down the costs of a WordPress developer in Australia, Europe, and the US. Finding a good agency or freelance developer is difficult, and you must allocate a lot of time for such a process.
Who Can Be a WordPress Developer?
The main problem for genuine WordPress developers and people looking to hire a reliable WordPress developer is that anyone can call themselves a “WordPress developer”. Some so-called developers are in fact good WordPress users who know how to install a theme or a plugin. Others are more experienced and have the skills to improve the site’s performance or enhance its security. However, only a few have coding skills and may handle complex projects.
While there is no precise definition for WordPress developers, it’s generally accepted that junior developers should have the technical skills to tweak a theme or a plugin code. More experienced developers can create a custom WordPress site by developing a theme and potentially a few plugins.
A few specialised freelance marketplaces try to resolve this issue by selecting their members based on a practice test or an interview. This ensures that customers can be confident that the developer they hire is a highly skilled expert. However, the rates of a WordPress expert are higher than average.
It’s mandatory for anyone looking to hire a WordPress developer to describe the task or job requirements as clearly as possible. Sometimes, a proficient WordPress user can fix a problem without writing a single line of code. In other instances, specialised skills are required for theme or plugin development.
The more details you provide to web developers interested in your project, the better for everyone. A detailed job description lets developers understand the project complexity, the skills needed, and the budget allocated. In this context, WordPress experts with the right skill set and expectations are more likely to contact you for further details.
In the next paragraphs, you will learn what to include in a job description to ensure you hire a WordPress developer suitable for your project.
Factors Influencing The Cost to Hire a WordPress Developer
You need time not only to find the right WordPress developer but also to understand the factors that impact WordPress development costs. It is nearly impossible to find the right solution if you disregard these factors.
In a global economy, it’s normal to have many factors influencing the price of WordPress development services. Indeed, it complicates cost estimation for people needing a WordPress website, but the great aspect is that any customer has a large variety of service providers to choose from.
The following factors substantially impact the cost of hiring a WordPress developer, though the list is not exhaustive. Many other aspects may contribute to the costs, but their influence is marginal.
Type of WordPress Projects
It matters a lot to WordPress developers whether your project involves installing a new theme for a basic website or building a complex ecommerce site. Full-stack developers would feel dishonored to be asked to install a theme for your existing website. They have specialised skills and are interested in more complex projects.
On the other hand, junior developers are more likely to accept any job. They are eager to gain developer expertise, and their rates are generally lower. Moreover, junior developers are more numerous than experienced developers.
Evaluate the complexity of your project before hiring anyone. If it’s a simple, single-task job, make this clear in the description. If your project requires ongoing maintenance, specify this aspect clearly; WordPress development agencies will then become interested in your project. If you’re planning to launch a large ecommerce store, emphasise that your project requires experienced developers.
How to Write a Proper Job Description
Writing a detailed job description takes time upfront but saves time and frustration later on. To avoid numerous emails asking for details, include the following in your job description:
Project Complexity: Clearly state the complexity of the project. More complex projects will attract more experienced developers, albeit at higher rates.
Type of website: Specify whether you plan to launch an ecommerce website, a major news outlet, or a personal blog. Some WordPress experts specialise in particular niches and excel in delivering exceptional results within their focused area. Specify the type of WordPress website you need to help developers determine if your project aligns with their skills and expertise.
Type of engagement: Clearly indicate whether the project is a one-time task or an ongoing project. Permanent positions are generally more attractive to all types of WordPress developers.
Freelancer or WordPress agency: If you expect a personalised solution and ongoing communication with the developer, opt for WordPress freelancers, who are typically more flexible. A WordPress development agency is more suitable for large projects and tends to offer less flexibility.
Fixed Rate Project vs. Hourly Rate
Do you want to compensate a WordPress developer with a fixed monthly salary or based on hourly rates? There is no right or wrong decision as each option has its pros and cons.
Paying a fixed salary provides hired WordPress developers with peace of mind, allowing them to fully focus on their job. The contract should include performance objectives to motivate employees; otherwise, productivity may suffer.
Paying an hourly rate is becoming more attractive for both employers and employees. Hourly rates are convenient for employers because they have control over the work done by employers. WordPress developers appreciate hourly rates because they are compensated based on the actual work completed.
Modern software enables effective management of the hours worked by each individual. Additionally, these tools provide useful information such as productivity metrics, including number of clicks, typed words, and more.
Freelance WordPress Developers vs. Agencies
Choosing between freelance developers and agencies is a common dilemma for those needing WordPress development services. The right choice largely depends on project complexity and budget. Opt for WordPress agencies if you require custom plugin and theme development, high-level technical expertise, or plan to launch multiple WordPress websites.
Usually, a WordPress agency includes project managers, web developers, coders, and even an affiliate marketer or SEO expert. The core concept is that an agency aims to fulfill all customer needs comprehensively. While development costs are higher, you can be assured that an entire team of WordPress experts is dedicated to your project.
May a talented full stack developer with good SEO and marketing skills replace a full WordPress agency? It depends on the developer and the agency, but it might happen. However, this scenario is rare and often an exception. Such developers typically do not bid on projects through general freelance marketplaces because they are usually occupied with serious client work. To attract their attention, you would typically need a significant and serious WordPress project.
Therefore, while a freelance WordPress developer may be capable of handling complex WordPress development projects, a team is generally more suitable for such tasks. Freelancers often offer more reasonable average hourly rates and specialise in specific WordPress development skills such as theme development, site performance optimisation, online security, or site migration.
General vs. Specialised Freelance Marketplaces
Many people complain on Reddit, X (formerly Twitter), or LinkedIn about problems with weak WordPress developers. They often share similar stories: they hired a WordPress developer to accomplish a task, paid part of the cost upfront, and the developer delivered subpar work. These fake developers are essentially scammers, offering low prices to attract people on a tight budget.
General freelance marketplaces often lack a vetting process, allowing any member to claim themselves as the best WordPress designer, web development guru, or PHP master.
Taking into account their low cost to hire, naive customers often pay for their services. The outcome is predictable: these so-called developers lack the necessary skills to complete the customers’ WordPress projects.
On the other hand, most WordPress developers on freelancing platforms are well-intentioned and skilled. They are kind to their existing clients and open to dialogue with prospects. To avoid scammers and identify the right freelancer for your WordPress development project, review their ratings, customer reviews, and past experiences.
Another solution to avoid issues is to hire WordPress developers from specialised freelance marketplaces like TopTal and Codeable. These platforms rigorously vet their members, ensuring only highly qualified professionals can offer their services. For example, TopTal markets itself as a platform that selects only the top 3% of applicants.
The only negative aspect is that any freelance web developer charges substantially more than the average. For example, a web developer rates start at $60 per hour. It’s logical; highly skilled WordPress developers aren’t cheap at all. However, you can be assured of the quality of the work done.
Local vs. Remote
These days, it’s not unusual for a customer from Australia to hire a developer from South America. People, especially those on a tight budget, often prefer to select developers from other regions and continents due to the more competitive cost to hire.
The remote work culture, along with multiple messaging apps and payment solutions, streamlines collaboration between customers and developers regardless of their physical location. Even WordPress agencies include members scattered all over the globe. Of course, this setup has its pros and cons.
By hiring a remote WordPress developer you have a big chance to get a more affordable average hourly rate. Furthermore, WordPress experts from different regions can offer unique perspectives on your online business. A more inclusive business approach helps in targeting a global audience.
However, a language barrier may impact your collaboration with remote freelancers. It requires having a good English command to communicate with freelance WordPress developers. Besides, the experts you hire might not be native English speakers, which could lead to challenges in understanding your requirements.
Local freelancers or WordPress development agencies can eliminate communication barriers and may even be available for in-person meetings, which can be advantageous for some projects. However, in these cases, WordPress developer hourly rates tend to be higher, especially in developed countries.
To wrap up, be prepared to collaborate with people from all over the world for your WordPress website to get a competitive hourly rate. Go locally to avoid language barriers, but be aware that in some instances, this means that developers will quote a higher rate per hour.
WordPress Development Prices
The following paragraphs will help you gain a better understanding of WordPress development prices in Australia, the US, India, and Europe. It’s crucial to remember that WordPress developer hourly rates vary based on experience, the type of WordPress sites to be created, and economic conditions, such as high inflation.
WordPress Developer Costs in Australia
Australia is one of the most developed economies with a very high cost of living, which is reflected in the rates for WordPress developers. We have aggregated information from multiple sources to determine WordPress developer rates in Australia.
According to Indeed, the average WordPress developer salary in Australia is $95,000 USD per year. The highest salaries are found in Sydney and Melbourne, while they are below average on the Gold Coast. Glassdoor reports lower salaries, with an average base salary ranging from $62,000 to $80,000 per year. However, when adding various perks and performance bonuses to the salaries provided by Glassdoor, the total compensation aligns more closely with the numbers from Indeed.com.
Rates per Hour
The rates for WordPress developers in Australia start at $50 per hour, while a senior WordPress developer may charge up to $250 per hour if you prefer to pay based on hourly contributions.
WordPress Developer Costs in the US
The salary difference is pretty big depending on the state. For example, the average salary in Minnesota is 136,500 USD per year while in Rhode Island it’s USD 45,760 per year. Talent.com says that the average WordPress developer salary is 77,500 USD per year.
According to Computer Carreer’s data, the average WordPress developer salary is 101,928 USD per year, and the top paying states are Washington (119,882 USD) and Delaware (118,456 USD) while Porto Rico is the lowest paying area.
Rates per Hour
The average rate per hour of a WordPress developer in the US is 50 USD and goes north depending on the expertise of the freelancer.
WordPress Developer Salary in India
Asia is a huge continent with multiple countries and cultures, therefore an average salary isn’t quite relevant. However, it’s worth mentioning the contribution of Indian developers who are the most numerous on Fiverr, Upwork, and other similar freelance marketplaces. Broadly, the average rate on these platforms is similar to the rates asked by Indian developers.
Rates per Hour
Fiverr’s average hourly rate is $10-$30, while Upwork’s average is $15-$40 per hour. These rates are close to the Indian rates for WordPress projects. Beginners often ask for even lower rates to attract their first customers.
WordPress Developer Salary in Europe
WordPress development cost is moderate in Europe, but varies substantially, especially from the western to the eastern part. According to Payscale aggregated data, the average WordPress developer’s salary in Western Europe (Germany, France, Netherlands) is in the €25,000-€50,000 range.
It’s more profitable to hire a developer based in Central (Poland, Hungary) or Eastern Europe (Romania, Bulgaria). The average salaries are in the €18,000- €30,000 range.
Obviously, the salaries go up depending on the skills or seniority of the developer.
Recap
It’s not simple to compile all of the above factors when you have to hire a WordPress developer. Don’t forget that the purpose of your project matters a lot. Juniors are always available and ready to accomplish simpler tasks like customising free themes or installing complex plugins. However, you need a genuine code master or a WordPress development agency for complex tasks like setting up an ecommerce store or a membership site.
A freelance WordPress developer charges less money than an agency, but you won’t get the same large array of services. It’s natural to hire a freelancer for particular jobs like security enhancement or speed optimisation. A WordPress development agency fits better for custom website development, maintenance of a large ecommerce store, or setting up a large media outlet.
Custom development isn’t cheap, so you might consider hiring developers based in other regions or continents. Even big tech companies outsource some of the work, so you shouldn’t worry if you hire a developer in a different timezone. However, pay attention to potential language and cultural issues.
Indian developers are among the cheapest alternatives, are talented, and communicate well. However, some may exaggerate their skills or be unable to complete your custom development project.
North American and Australian developers have relatively similar hourly rates but are considerably more expensive. European developers expect moderate salaries, more than Indian developers but less than North Americans and Australians.
Conclusions
Finally, don’t forget that it’s not simple to hire a developer, and it takes time to find the right freelancer or WordPress development agency. Altogether, the above tips will help you make the proper decision.