WordPress powers approximately 43% of all websites globally, making many wonder: is WordPress a good career choice despite the rise of AI? This question is particularly relevant as technology continues to reshape the digital landscape. However, the data paints an encouraging picture for aspiring WordPress professionals.
With an average yearly salary of $84,542 in the United States and projected job growth of 16% to 21% by 2030, WordPress development remains a promising career path. Additionally, the versatility of WordPress careers is impressive – from freelance opportunities charging between AED 180-550+ per hour to enterprise positions offering annual salaries up to AED 475,000+. Is WordPress developer a good career in 2025 and beyond? The statistics certainly suggest so.
In this article, we’ll examine why WordPress continues to thrive as a career option, how AI is transforming the WordPress landscape rather than eliminating it, and what skills you’ll need to stay competitive in this evolving field. We’ll also explore various career paths and provide detailed salary insights to help you determine if WordPress is a good career option for your future.
Why WordPress is still a strong career option
The dominance of WordPress in the web development landscape continues to solidify year after year. First of all, let’s examine why WordPress remains a cornerstone for digital careers despite the emergence of new technologies and AI tools.
WordPress powers over 40% of the web
The remarkable growth of WordPress has transformed it from a simple blogging platform to the undisputed leader in web development. As of June 2025, WordPress powers a staggering 43.5% of all websites globally. This translates to more than 533 million websites running on WordPress, making it the most widely adopted platform on the internet.
When considering only websites with an identifiable content management system (CMS), WordPress’s market share jumps to an even more impressive 61.2%. Its nearest competitors, Shopify and Wix, trail significantly with market shares of just 6.7% and 5.3% respectively. This tremendous gap illustrates WordPress’s unparalleled position in the web development ecosystem.
What’s particularly noteworthy is WordPress’s consistent growth trajectory. Since January 2013, when it powered only 17.4% of all websites, WordPress has more than doubled its market presence. This steady expansion indicates that WordPress isn’t merely maintaining its relevance—it’s actively increasing its footprint across the digital landscape.
Versatility across industries and business sizes
One of the primary reasons behind WordPress’s enduring popularity is its extraordinary versatility. Unlike platforms designed for specific niches, WordPress effectively serves businesses of all sizes across numerous industries.
From global corporations to local boutiques, WordPress offers solutions that scale with business needs. Major brands including The Walt Disney Company, Mercedes-Benz, HubSpot, and Dropbox have all built their online presence using WordPress. Furthermore, WordPress has become crucial in specialized sectors such as healthcare, education, non-profits, and entertainment.
The platform’s adaptability stems from its extensive ecosystem of plugins and themes. With thousands of customization options available, WordPress enables developers to create tailored solutions for virtually any client requirement—whether it’s an e-commerce store, educational platform, corporate website, or content-heavy blog.
Is WordPress developer a good career in 2025?
Given these market trends, is WordPress a good career option in 2025? The evidence strongly suggests yes. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, web development jobs are projected to grow 8% from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations, with approximately 16,500 job openings annually.
The demand for WordPress developers remains robust for several reasons. WordPress’s open-source nature and extensive customization capabilities mean businesses need skilled professionals who can create custom solutions that leverage the platform’s flexibility. Moreover, as WordPress continues evolving with features like block editors and AI integration, opportunities for developers who stay current with these advancements will only expand.
Is WordPress developer a good career in 2025? Unquestionably. The platform’s dominance shows no signs of waning—in fact, its market share continues to grow while competitors struggle to gain ground. As businesses increasingly invest in their online presence, the need for skilled WordPress developers will likely remain strong for years to come.
How AI is changing the WordPress job landscape
Artificial intelligence is reshaping the WordPress career landscape at a remarkable pace. Instead of replacing WordPress professionals, AI is creating new opportunities while transforming existing roles. Let’s examine how these changes are affecting careers in the WordPress ecosystem.
AI tools for content creation and design
AI-powered content creation tools are now integral to the WordPress workflow. According to recent data, 59% of WordPress users rely on AI to update existing pages, while 55% use it for content creation. These impressive adoption rates highlight how quickly AI has become essential for content management.
Many leading WordPress platforms have integrated AI capabilities. SeedProd’s AI website builder, for instance, can generate entire websites or landing pages based on simple business descriptions. Likewise, Divi AI allows users to set preferred fonts and colors before generating designs that match brand guidelines.
For WordPress professionals, these tools are changing job requirements. Rather than spending hours on content creation, developers now need expertise in prompt engineering and AI configuration. Essentially, the focus has shifted from manual production to strategic oversight of AI-generated assets.
Automation in theme and plugin development
Theme development has undergone significant transformation through AI automation. Traditional themes often restricted designers to preset layouts, but AI code generators now write custom CSS and JavaScript in seconds. This capability enables truly custom sites without building from scratch.
Plugin development is similarly evolving. As one developer noted after using AI to build a WordPress plugin: “I could build something I’ve never built before completely from scratch with AI, and it not only worked but was better than I would have done on my own, and completed quicker”.
Nevertheless, AI-generated code isn’t yet production-ready. The same developer acknowledged: “This code isn’t shippable… Taking this from a functional prototype to an actual plugin that I’d be proud of would require a real plugin dev to polish it”. Consequently, human expertise remains crucial for refining AI-generated solutions.
New roles emerging from AI integration
Perhaps most notably, entirely new job roles are emerging within the WordPress ecosystem:
- AI prompt moderators and supervisors who manage and optimize AI prompts for efficient results
- Security experts specializing in protecting WordPress sites integrated with multiple AI tools
- API specialists creating custom solutions connecting WordPress with AI technologies
- Performance optimization specialists focusing on sites running multiple AI integrations
In response to these changes, WordPress has formed an official AI Team to “coordinate cross-team efforts to explore AI-powered features responsibly and inclusively”. This initiative aims to ensure WordPress remains competitive among modern AI-powered CMS platforms while maintaining its open, interoperable approach.
For career prospects, the shift is toward specialized expertise rather than replacement. As one industry expert noted: “Custom plugin development is where the sweet spot is. Businesses need solutions that do more than just the basics — they want sophisticated eCommerce features, smart content management, and advanced analytics. These aren’t cookie-cutter problems you can solve with an AI prompt”.
At this point, it’s clear that is WordPress a good career question has a nuanced answer—AI isn’t eliminating WordPress jobs but transforming them into roles requiring both technical skill and strategic oversight of increasingly powerful AI tools.
Skills you need to stay competitive
To succeed as a WordPress professional in the AI era, staying current with evolving technical skills is absolutely essential. As the platform continues to mature and incorporate new technologies, the bar for professional competency keeps rising. Let’s explore the critical skills that will keep you competitive in this rapidly changing landscape.
Core web development skills (HTML, CSS, PHP, JS)
Mastering foundational web technologies remains non-negotiable for WordPress professionals. Every website’s character, image, and page has underlying code that WordPress auto-generates, and understanding this foundation gives you a significant advantage. Beyond basic site building, you’ll need:
- HTML and CSS knowledge to understand how child themes function and create custom layouts
- PHP syntax skills for WordPress-specific development tasks
- JavaScript proficiency for frontend development and dynamic functionality
- Database management abilities for setting up, securing, and managing hosting environments
While you can create simple WordPress sites without writing code, professional opportunities require advanced technical skills. Even when working with basic WordPress functions, knowing how to use WP_Query or phpMyAdmin for editing database content elevates your capabilities dramatically.
Understanding Gutenberg and block-based editing
The WordPress block editor (Gutenberg) has fundamentally transformed how content is created and managed. Each piece of content—from paragraphs to galleries—functions as an independent block that can be added, arranged, and rearranged visually.
For post types to work with Gutenberg, they must have the REST API enabled with the setting “show_in_rest” = true. This integration between the block editor and API demonstrates how interconnected WordPress technologies have become.
Understanding block-based editing isn’t merely about using the interface—it’s about comprehending the architectural shift toward modular content. As Matt Mullenweg advised in 2015, learning JavaScript “deeply” has become increasingly important as WordPress features like Gutenberg, Full-site Editing, and Calypso rely heavily on JavaScript frameworks.
Learning headless WordPress and REST APIs
Headless WordPress represents a major architectural shift that separates content management from presentation. The WordPress REST API provides an interface for applications to interact with WordPress sites by sending and receiving data as JSON objects—enabling powerful new development approaches.
Undeniably, this approach creates opportunities for frontend developers who don’t write PHP to work with WordPress. The REST API acts as the foundation for the block editor and enables themes, plugins, or custom applications to implement new interfaces for managing and publishing content.
Keeping up with AI-enhanced workflows
AI tools are rapidly becoming essential components of the WordPress developer toolkit. From generating code to automating routine tasks, artificial intelligence is reshaping development processes.
Tools like CodeWP now provide customized AI solutions specifically for WordPress development, with expert-level understanding of PHP, JS, CSS, and SQL. Additionally, plugin development can be accelerated using AI, although human expertise remains crucial for refining AI-generated solutions.
The most competitive WordPress professionals recognize which tasks to automate and which require human expertise. By mapping your everyday tasks and identifying where AI can handle routine work, you can focus on strategic decision-making and complex problem-solving—skills that truly differentiate top professionals in the field.
Job opportunities and career paths
The WordPress ecosystem offers diverse career paths with substantial income potential. Beyond simply building websites, professionals can pursue several specialized tracks based on their preferences and skills.
Freelance WordPress development
Freelance developers enjoy remarkable flexibility in choosing projects and setting their rates. On platforms like Codeable, freelancers work on short-term jobs (typically lasting up to 1 week), complex projects (1-6 months), or ongoing retainers (3-6 months average). Financially, freelance WordPress developers typically charge between AED 180-550+ per hour depending on expertise. Platforms such as Toptal connect freelancers with leading Fortune 500 companies and startups, enabling remote work with flexible schedules.
Working with agencies or startups
Agency positions provide consistent income coupled with valuable team collaboration. These roles offer salaries ranging from AED 220,000-AED 360,000+ annually, along with mentorship opportunities and professional development. For many developers, agencies serve as excellent training grounds where they can build impressive portfolios while enjoying financial stability. Job postings regularly seek WordPress specialists in development, design, and support roles.
Enterprise-level WordPress roles
Large organizations increasingly rely on WordPress for their digital presence. In-house enterprise positions command AED 295,000+ annually with additional benefits. Automatic, WordPress’s parent company, hires across 88 countries with employees speaking 114 different languages. These roles often feature fairly flat organizational structures while encouraging leadership development through coaching and mentorship programs.
Teaching or creating WordPress products
Many professionals generate income by creating educational resources or commercial WordPress products. One-on-one training sessions and live WordPress seminars enable experts to help newcomers while establishing additional revenue streams. Meanwhile, developing themes, plugins, or extensions for niche markets creates potential passive income opportunities. Indeed, extension development success depends on understanding market demands and maintaining regular updates to sustain customer satisfaction.
Overall, is WordPress a good career question receives affirmative answers across multiple tracks. The market demonstrates consistent demand for WordPress expertise from businesses ranging from small local companies to Fortune 500 corporations, making it a viable career option for 2025 and beyond.
WordPress developer salary insights
Salary considerations often become decisive factors when evaluating is WordPress a good career path. The financial outlook for WordPress professionals varies dramatically based on several key factors, making it essential to understand the compensation landscape.
Entry-level vs experienced developer pay
Generally, WordPress developers see substantial salary growth as they gain experience. Entry-level developers with 0-3 years of experience typically earn between PKR 9,718,860 to PKR 13,884,086 annually. As developers advance to mid-level positions (3-5 years), their compensation increases to PKR 13,884,086 to PKR 20,826,129. Senior developers with 5+ years of experience command significantly higher salaries ranging from PKR 22,214,538 to PKR 33,321,806.
Across the United States, the average WordPress developer earns approximately PKR 21,520,333 annually, though this figure fluctuates based on location and specialization. Interestingly, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 13% growth for web developers between now and 2030, suggesting continuing strong demand for WordPress skills.
Freelance hourly rates
Freelance WordPress developers enjoy flexible pricing structures that often exceed full-time compensation. On specialized platforms like Codeable, freelancers earn a minimum of PKR 16,660 hourly, with rates typically ranging from PKR 16,660 to PKR 24,991 per hour. Comparatively, rates on general freelance marketplaces vary widely—67% of WordPress developers on People Per Hour charge under PKR 4,165 hourly, whereas only 2% command over PKR 16,660.
Accordingly, experience level creates substantial rate differentials: junior freelancers typically charge PKR 5,554 to PKR 13,884 hourly, while senior freelancers may bill PKR 41,652 to PKR 69,420 for specialized expertise.
Factors that influence salary: location, skills, niche
Geographic location remains among the most significant salary determinants. Developers in Washington, DC earn approximately PKR 18,691,034 annually, whereas those in Chicago make around PKR 15,598,493. Globally, North American developers typically charge PKR 16,939 to PKR 22,215 hourly, while those in Australia and New Zealand command PKR 22,492 to PKR 27,768.
Specialization markedly affects earning potential. Developers with expertise in high-demand areas like WooCommerce or custom WordPress themes earn premium rates. Furthermore, those skilled in SEO optimization or website performance can negotiate higher compensation packages due to the specialized knowledge they bring to projects.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Despite the rise of AI, WordPress clearly remains a robust career choice with promising growth opportunities. The platform’s dominance—powering over 43% of all websites—creates steady demand for skilled professionals across diverse industries. Therefore, aspiring developers can expect substantial financial rewards, with salaries ranging from PKR 9,718,860 for beginners to PKR 33,321,806 for seasoned experts.
The evolution of AI tools has transformed rather than diminished WordPress careers. These technologies now handle routine tasks while creating new specialized roles in prompt engineering, security, and API integration. Consequently, success demands continuous skill development—mastering core technologies like PHP and JavaScript while embracing newer concepts such as Gutenberg and headless WordPress architectures.
Career flexibility stands out as another significant advantage in the WordPress ecosystem. From freelancing with hourly rates of PKR 16,660+ to enterprise positions offering comprehensive benefits, professionals can chart personalized career paths. Additionally, teaching opportunities and product development provide alternative revenue streams for those seeking entrepreneurial ventures.
The projected 13% job growth through 2030 underscores WordPress’s lasting relevance in web development. Certainly, those who combine technical expertise with strategic AI implementation will find themselves well-positioned for long-term success. For those interested in exploring this dynamic field further, I recommend you read more similar articles about emerging WordPress trends and specialized career opportunities.
Ultimately, the data confirms what many industry insiders already know—WordPress careers continue to thrive not despite technological advancement but because of it. The platform’s adaptability ensures that skilled WordPress professionals will remain valuable assets in an increasingly digital business landscape for years to come.
FAQs
Q1. Is WordPress development still a viable career option in 2025? Yes, WordPress development remains a strong career choice in 2025. With WordPress powering over 40% of websites globally, there is consistent demand for skilled developers. The field offers diverse opportunities, from freelancing to enterprise-level positions, with salaries ranging from entry-level to six figures for experienced professionals.
Q2. How is AI impacting WordPress development? AI is transforming WordPress development rather than replacing it. It’s creating new opportunities in areas like content creation, theme development, and plugin automation. Developers now need to focus on strategic oversight of AI tools, prompt engineering, and integrating AI capabilities into WordPress sites.
Q3. What skills do I need to stay competitive as a WordPress developer? To remain competitive, focus on core web development skills (HTML, CSS, PHP, JavaScript), understand Gutenberg and block-based editing, learn headless WordPress and REST APIs, and keep up with AI-enhanced workflows. Additionally, specializing in areas like e-commerce or custom theme development can increase your value.
Q4. What are the career paths available for WordPress developers? WordPress developers can pursue various career paths, including freelance development, working with agencies or startups, taking on enterprise-level WordPress roles, or creating and selling WordPress products like themes and plugins. Some developers also transition into teaching or consulting roles within the WordPress ecosystem.
Q5. What is the salary range for WordPress developers? Salaries for WordPress developers vary based on experience, location, and specialization. Entry-level developers can expect to earn around $50,000-$70,000 annually, while experienced developers can command salaries of $100,000 or more. Freelance rates typically range from $50 to $150+ per hour, depending on expertise and project complexity.
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