Here is a comprehensive career guide for Web Developers considering a move to Akron, Ohio.

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Web Developer Career Guide: Akron, OH

As a career analyst who has watched Akron's tech scene evolve from the shadows of the old tire factories to a burgeoning hub for software and web development, I can tell you this: Akron offers a unique value proposition. It’s a city where your paycheck stretches further than almost anywhere in the Midwest, yet you’re never far from major metropolitan opportunities in Cleveland or Columbus. For a web developer, it’s a place to build a career without the crushing cost of coastal tech hubs.

This guide uses hard data and local insights to help you decide if Akron is the right launchpad—or landing spot—for your career.

The Salary Picture: Where Akron Stands

Let’s get the numbers out of the way first. Akron’s tech market is competitive but affordable. The median salary for a web developer here sits at $90,746 per year, with an hourly rate of $43.63. This is slightly below the national average of $92,750, but that gap is more than compensated by Akron’s low cost of living.

The job market is stable, with approximately 377 web developer jobs in the metro area. The 10-year job growth projection is 16%, which aligns with the national trend, indicating a healthy, expanding demand for digital skills.

Experience-Level Breakdown

Experience is the primary driver of salary in Akron. While entry-level roles are competitive, the ceiling is high for those who specialize.

Experience Level	Typical Years	Salary Range (Akron)	Key Local Demand
Entry-Level	0-2 years	$55,000 - $70,000	Full-stack fundamentals, CMS platforms (WordPress, Drupal)
Mid-Level	3-5 years	$75,000 - $95,000	JavaScript frameworks (React, Vue), API integration, UX/UI basics
Senior-Level	6-10 years	$95,000 - $120,000+	System architecture, team leadership, legacy system modernization
Expert/Lead	10+ years	$120,000 - $150,000+	DevOps, cloud infrastructure, technical strategy for large firms

Comparison to Other Ohio Cities

Akron sits in a sweet spot, offering a higher salary-to-cost ratio than many Ohio peers.

City	Median Salary	Cost of Living Index (US Avg=100)	Value Proposition
Columbus	$97,500	95.0	Higher salary, but a hotter, more expensive market.
Cincinnati	$91,000	89.5	Similar salary, slightly lower COL. Comparable job market.
Cleveland	$89,500	92.5	Slightly lower salary, similar living costs. Stronger healthcare sector.
Akron	$90,746	92.8	Best balance of salary and affordability in the region.
Dayton	$85,000	88.0	Lower salary and COL. More defense/aerospace focused.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

A salary is just a number until you see what’s left after essentials. Akron’s affordability is its biggest draw. With a median salary of $90,746, your monthly take-home pay (after estimated federal, state, and FICA taxes) is approximately $5,500 - $5,800.

Let’s build a realistic monthly budget for a single web developer living in Akron.

Expense Category	Monthly Cost (Akron)	Notes
Taxes (Federal, OH, FICA)	~$1,750	Varies by deductions, but a safe estimate.
Take-Home Pay	~$5,550	Based on $90,746 annual salary.
Rent (1BR Average)	$816	Below national average. Can range from $650-$1,200.
Utilities (Electric/Heat/Internet)	$200	AKRON is affordable; winter heating is the biggest variable.
Groceries	$400	Standard for one person.
Transportation (Car/Gas/Ins.)	$450	Car is essential. Public transit is limited.
Health Insurance (Employer Share)	$250	Typically $150-$350/month for a single plan.
Discretionary (Dining, Fun, Savings)	$1,434	This is the key. You have significant disposable income.

Can they afford to buy a home? Absolutely. With $1,434 in discretionary funds, a down payment is feasible. The median home price in Akron is around $150,000 - $180,000. A 20% down payment ($30,000-$36,000) could be saved in 2-3 years, even while renting comfortably. A monthly mortgage payment (including taxes/insurance) on a $160,000 home could be $1,000 - $1,200, often less than renting a comparable apartment.

Where the Jobs Are: Akron's Major Employers

Akron’s tech jobs aren’t just at tech startups. The largest employers are in healthcare, manufacturing, and insurance, all undergoing massive digital transformation.

1. The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company: A global HQ here. Their digital transformation is aggressive, with needs for e-commerce, supply chain web portals, and internal tools. They hire for both in-house teams and contractors.
2. Akron Children’s Hospital: A major regional healthcare provider. They maintain patient portals, public websites, and internal systems. Stability and benefits are top-tier here.
3. FirstEnergy / Ohio Edison: One of the largest electric utilities in the U.S. Their IT department is massive, with constant needs for web developers to manage customer portals, outage maps, and internal reporting systems.
4. The University of Akron: A huge employer and a hub for innovation. The university hires developers for its online learning platforms, research portals, and administrative systems. They also foster startups through the Bounce Innovation Hub.
5. Progressive Insurance (Nearby in Cleveland): While not in Akron proper, Progressive’s massive campus is a 45-minute drive and is a top employer for Akron-region developers. They are legendary for their tech culture and competitive salaries.
6. Regional Banks & Financial Services (e.g., Huntington, KeyBank): These institutions have significant IT operations in Northeast Ohio, focusing on secure, responsive web applications for both customers and internal staff.
7. Marketing & Digital Agencies: Akron has a growing scene of mid-sized agencies (like Skidmore Studio or Thunder::Tech in Cleveland) that serve local and national clients, offering project-based work and portfolio variety.

Hiring Trends: There’s a strong shift toward hybrid roles. You’ll need to be comfortable with both front-end and back-end (full-stack). Knowledge of cloud platforms (AWS, Azure) is increasingly expected, even for pure web dev roles. Security and accessibility (WCAG) are major concerns for healthcare and finance employers.

Getting Licensed in Ohio

Good news: Web development is not a state-licensed profession in Ohio. There is no mandatory state license, certification, or exam to practice. Your portfolio and experience are your credentials.

However, there are recommended paths to bolster your resume:

• Formal Education: A bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or Web Development from the University of Akron or Kent State University is highly valued by large employers like Goodyear and FirstEnergy. An associate’s degree from Stark State College or Cuyahoga Community College is a solid, cost-effective alternative.
• Certifications: While not required, certifications prove specialized skill. Consider:
  • AWS Certified Developer - Associate: For cloud-focused roles.
  • Google Analytics Individual Qualification (GAIQ): For roles with a marketing component.
  • Scrum Master Certification (CSM): For roles in agile team environments.
• Timeline & Cost: A 4-year degree takes 4 years and costs $40,000+ (in-state tuition). A coding bootcamp (like one from the University of Akron’s LeBron James Family Foundation School of Business) takes 6-12 months and costs $10,000 - $20,000. Self-taught paths are common and cost nothing but time and discipline.

Best Neighborhoods for Web Developers

Akron is a city of distinct neighborhoods. Your choice depends on your lifestyle and commute to where the jobs are (typically downtown, the northern suburbs, or nearby Fairlawn).

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Rent (1BR Avg)	Why It's a Good Fit
Downtown Akron	Urban, walkable, walkable to bars, restaurants, and the Civic Theatre. Commute to downtown offices is walkable or a short drive.	$900 - $1,300	Perfect for young professionals who want an active social scene. The University of Akron and Goodyear are nearby.
Fairlawn/Bath	Suburban, safe, family-friendly. Home to many corporate offices (FirstEnergy, regional HQs). Easy highway access.	$850 - $1,100	Ideal for a quiet, stable life. Commute to most job centers is under 15 minutes. High quality of life.
Cuyahoga Falls	Historic, scenic, near the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Main Street has great local businesses. A 15-20 minute commute to Akron.	$750 - $1,000	Great for developers who love the outdoors. A strong community feel without being in the city center.
West Akron (Firestone Park)	Older, established neighborhood with large homes and mature trees. Very affordable, slightly longer commute to downtown.	$650 - $900	Excellent value for space. Good for those who want a house with a yard without the price tag of the suburbs.
Highland Square	Eclectic, artsy, and diverse. Known for its indie music scene and local shops. A 5-10 minute drive to downtown.	$700 - $1,000	The "cool" neighborhood. Perfect for creative types who want a unique, non-corporate atmosphere.

Insider Tip: Traffic in Akron is minimal. A "bad" commute is 25 minutes. Living in a cheaper suburb like Cuyahoga Falls or Tallmadge and driving 15 minutes to a downtown job is a very common and financially smart choice.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Akron is a fantastic place to build a foundational career and then leverage it.

• Specialty Premiums: The highest premiums are for DevOps/Cloud Engineering (20-30% above standard web dev) and Cybersecurity for web applications (especially for healthcare/finance). Full-stack developers with strong back-end (Java, .NET, Python) skills command the top of the salary range.
• Advancement Paths: The path typically goes: Junior Developer → Mid-Level (Full-Stack) → Senior Developer → Team Lead or Technical Architect. The jump to management often requires strong soft skills and experience with project management tools (Jira, Asana).
• 10-Year Outlook: The 16% growth indicates a strong future. The rise of IoT (Internet of Things) is huge here, given Akron’s industrial heritage. Companies like Goodyear are building smart tires and connected systems, requiring web developers to build the dashboards and interfaces. The healthcare sector will continue to grow, demanding secure, user-friendly patient portals.

Insider Tip: After 5-7 years in an Akron company, your experience in a stable, large-scale environment makes you a prime candidate for remote roles with national companies or for senior positions in Cleveland or Columbus, where salaries jump to $110,000+. Akron is a perfect launchpad.

The Verdict: Is Akron Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Extremely Low Cost of Living	Car is Mandatory (public transit is weak)
High Disposable Income	Less Vibrant "Tech Scene" (fewer meetups than Columbus)
Stable, Major Employers (Healthcare, Finance, Industry)	Winter Weather (lake-effect snow, gray skies Nov- March)
Easy Commute & Short Drive to Cleveland/Columbus	Limited High-End Dining/Entertainment compared to bigger cities
Strong Work-Life Balance Culture	Can Feel "Closed" if you're not from Ohio (social circles are established)

Final Recommendation:
Akron is an excellent choice for web developers who prioritize financial stability and quality of life over the frenetic pace of a coastal tech hub. It’s ideal for:

• Early-career developers looking to build a solid resume without crushing debt.
• Developers starting families who want affordable housing and good schools.
• Mid-career professionals seeking a lower-stress environment with a high standard of living.

If you crave constant networking events, the latest startups, and a 24/7 urban buzz, you might find Akron too quiet. But if you want a career where your income affords you a comfortable life—with money left over for savings, hobbies, and travel—Akron delivers in spades.

FAQs

1. What is the tech community like in Akron?
It’s smaller than Cleveland’s but active. Groups like Akron Web Devs and Akron Coffee Code host meetups. The Bounce Innovation Hub at the University of Akron is the epicenter for startups and networking events.

2. Do I really need a car?
Yes. While downtown is walkable, most employers (Goodyear, FirstEnergy, hospitals) are in suburban campuses. The bus system (METRO RTA) exists but is not reliable for a daily commute. Budget for a car and insurance.

3. How competitive is the job market?
Moderately competitive. Entry-level roles can be tough to land without a degree or strong portfolio. However, the demand for experienced mid-to-senior developers is consistent. Tailor your resume to the specific industries (healthcare, manufacturing) that dominate the region.

4. Is it easy to switch jobs within Akron?
Yes, but the market is smaller. The 377 job openings mean there are options, but you may need to consider roles in Cleveland (45 min away) for more variety. Building a network at local meetups is crucial.

5. What’s the biggest challenge for new developers in Akron?
The "first job" hurdle. The large employers prefer candidates with some experience. Internships during college (at companies like Goodyear or FirstEnergy) are the golden ticket. If you’re self-taught, contributing to open-source projects or building a robust portfolio of locally relevant projects (e.g., a tool for small businesses, a local event app) is essential to stand out.