Web Developers

Web Developers score 93 out of 100, which is very high exposure to AI. That ranks #9 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 29 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 25 on its own and 4 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 20 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

93/ 100

Very high

Rank: #9of 923 jobs
US workers: 70,190BLS, May 2025
Median pay: $92,650a year
In real AI use: 20 of 29tasks, April–May 2026

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Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

AI can speed this up on its own: 25 (86%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 4 (14%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 0 (0%)

Write supporting code for Web applications or Web sites.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Design, build, or maintain Web sites, using authoring or scripting languages, content creation tools, management tools, and digital media.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Back up files from Web sites to local directories for instant recovery in case of problems.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Select programming languages, design tools, or applications.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Evaluate code to ensure that it is valid, is properly structured, meets industry standards, and is compatible with browsers, devices, or operating systems.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Develop databases that support Web applications and Web sites.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Perform Web site tests according to planned schedules, or after any Web site or product revision.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Perform or direct Web site updates.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Analyze user needs to determine technical requirements.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Respond to user email inquiries, or set up automated systems to send responses.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Renew domain name registrations.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Communicate with network personnel or Web site hosting agencies to address hardware or software issues affecting Web sites.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Document test plans, testing procedures, or test results.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Establish appropriate server directory trees.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Recommend and implement performance improvements.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Document technical factors such as server load, bandwidth, database performance, and browser and device types.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Develop or implement procedures for ongoing Web site revision.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Create Web models or prototypes that include physical, interface, logical, or data models.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Provide clear, detailed descriptions of Web site specifications, such as product features, activities, software, communication protocols, programming languages, and operating systems software and hardware.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Evaluate or recommend server hardware or software.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Install and configure hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) servers and associated operating systems.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task
Research, document, rate, or select alternatives for Web architecture or technologies.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task · Seen in real AI use
Develop system interaction or sequence diagrams.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task · Seen in real AI use
Design and implement Web site security measures, such as firewalls and message encryption.AI can speed this up on its own
Incorporate technical considerations into Web site design plans, such as budgets, equipment, performance requirements, and legal issues including accessibility and privacy.AI can speed this up on its own · Seen in real AI use
Maintain understanding of current Web technologies or programming practices through continuing education, reading, or participation in professional conferences, workshops, or groups.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Confer with management or development teams to prioritize needs, resolve conflicts, develop content criteria, or choose solutions.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Collaborate with management or users to develop e-commerce strategies and to integrate these strategies with Web sites.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Monitor security system performance logs to identify problems and notify security specialists when problems occur.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task · Seen in real AI use

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Questions about web developers and AI

Will AI replace web developers?

Probably not entirely, but the job is likely to change a lot. Web Developers score 93 out of 100 (very high exposure), #9 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 29 of the job's 29 tasks, 25 of them on its own. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which web developers tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Write supporting code for Web applications or Web sites"; "Design, build, or maintain Web sites, using authoring or scripting languages, content creation tools, management tools, and digital media"; "Back up files from Web sites to local directories for instant recovery in case of problems".

Which web developers tasks are hardest for AI?

Every task in this job has some AI exposure, though 4 of them need extra software built around the AI.

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 20 of the 29 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as web developers, and what do they earn?

About 70,190 people in the US, with median pay of $92,650 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.