Web Developer in Bryan, TX

The Salary Picture: Where Bryan Stands

As a local, I can tell you that Bryan, Texas, offers a surprising value proposition for web developers. It's not Austin or Houston, but the cost of living is friendlier, and the tech scene is quietly growing. Let's look at the numbers to understand where you fit in.

First, the hard data: The median salary for web developers in the Bryan-College Station metro area is $90,162/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $43.35/hour. This is slightly below the national average of $92,750/year, but the real story is in the local cost of living. With a Cost of Living Index of 90.7 (US average = 100), that salary stretches further here than in many other tech hubs.

The job market is modest but stable. There are approximately 179 web developer jobs in the metro area, and the 10-year job growth is projected at 16%. This isn't explosive growth, but it's steady, indicating a sustainable demand for tech skills, especially in web development supporting local industries.

Here’s how salaries typically break down by experience level in Bryan. Keep in mind these are estimates based on local job postings and industry data, aligned with the median.

Experience Level	Estimated Annual Salary Range	Key Responsibilities in Bryan
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	$65,000 - $78,000	Basic front-end development, maintaining existing sites, working with CMS like WordPress, supporting senior developers.
Mid-Level (3-5 years)	$80,000 - $95,000	Full-stack capabilities, building custom web applications, API integrations, independent project ownership.
Senior-Level (5-8 years)	$95,000 - $115,000	Leading projects, architecture decisions, mentoring juniors, deep expertise in frameworks (React, Vue, Laravel).
Expert/Lead (8+ years)	$115,000+	Technical leadership, managing development teams, strategic planning, specialized skills (e.g., enterprise systems, DevOps).

How does this compare to other Texas cities?

• Austin: Median salary is higher (over $110k), but the cost of living and rent are drastically higher. The tech scene is far more competitive and saturated.
• Houston: Median salary is comparable (~$95k), but the metro area is massive. Commutes can be long, and the job market is more diversified, not just tech-focused.
• Dallas/Fort Worth: Similar salary range to Houston, but with even more competitive traffic and a higher cost of living than Bryan.

Insider Tip: The $90,162 median is heavily influenced by the presence of Texas A&M University and its affiliates. Many jobs are in education tech, local government, and service industries supporting the university and the surrounding agricultural sector. Don't overlook these opportunities; they often offer excellent benefits and stability.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let's get practical. A salary of $90,162 sounds good, but what's the monthly reality? Here’s a hypothetical monthly budget breakdown for a single web developer in Bryan.

Assumptions:

• Gross Monthly Income: $90,162 / 12 = $7,513.50
• Estimated Taxes (Federal, FICA, State): ~25-28% (varies by filing status, deductions). Let's use 26% for a conservative estimate.
• Net Monthly Income (After Taxes): ~$5,560
• Average 1BR Rent: $1,015/month

Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Notes
Net Income	$5,560	After ~26% in taxes
Housing (1BR)	$1,015	Rent average for the area
Utilities	$150	Electricity, water, internet
Groceries	$400	For a single person
Transportation	$300	Car payment/insurance/gas (minimal public transit)
Health Insurance	$300	Employer-sponsored plan
Entertainment/Personal	$400	Dining out, hobbies, subscriptions
Savings/Retirement	$1,000	15-20% of net income (recommended)
Miscellaneous/Debt	$500	Student loans, credit cards, etc.
Total Expenses	$4,065
Remaining Buffer	$1,495	For additional savings, travel, or unexpected costs

Can they afford to buy a home?
Yes, with discipline. The median home price in Bryan is around $250,000 - $275,000. A 20% down payment would be $50,000 - $55,000. On a $90,162 salary, a mortgage of $200,000 would be roughly $1,200-$1,300/month (including taxes & insurance), which is manageable with the budget above. However, saving for the down payment would take time. A common strategy is to rent for the first year, save aggressively, and then buy.

Where the Jobs Are: Bryan's Major Employers

The job market here is not dominated by FAANG companies. Instead, it's a mix of education, healthcare, local government, and a growing number of local tech agencies and startups. Here are the key players:

1. Texas A&M University: The absolute largest employer. They hire web developers for the main university, the health science center, and various research institutes. Jobs are posted on their official site. They value stability and often use older, enterprise-level stacks.
2. Baylor Scott & White Health: The major healthcare provider for the region. They have a significant digital presence and need developers for patient portals, internal systems, and marketing sites. Excellent benefits and a mission-driven environment.
3. City of Bryan & Brazos County: Local government entities need developers for public-facing websites, citizen service portals, and internal applications. These are stable, public-sector jobs with good benefits and pensions.
4. Local Digital Agencies: Firms like Splash Creative, Neighborhoods.com (which has a strong local footprint), and Brazos Valley Marketing regularly hire freelance and full-time developers to serve local and regional clients. Work is often fast-paced and project-based.
5. AgTech and Industrial Companies: Bryan is in the heart of agriculture. Companies like Valmont Industries (irrigation tech) and various agricultural co-ops have digital needs for their operations and customer portals.
6. Startups & Spin-offs: The Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) and The RELLIS Campus foster tech startups. While not as prolific as Austin, opportunities exist, especially for developers with skills in data visualization or IoT (Internet of Things) interfaces.

Hiring Trends: There's a growing demand for developers who can work with modern JavaScript frameworks (React, Vue.js) and have experience with PHP/Laravel for the many local businesses that use WordPress or custom CMS. Remote work is becoming more common, but hybrid models are prevalent for local companies.

Getting Licensed in TX

Here’s the good news: Web development is a field with no state-specific license. You do not need a professional license from the state of Texas to work as a web developer. This is true for most IT roles.

However, there are a few things to consider:

• Professional Certifications: While not required, certifications can boost your resume. Consider vendor-specific certifications (e.g., AWS Certified Developer, Google Cloud) or framework-specific ones. Costs range from $100 to $300 per exam.
• Business Licensing: If you plan to go freelance or start your own LLC, you will need to register your business with the Texas Secretary of State and check with the City of Bryan for any local business licenses. The filing fee for an LLC is typically $200-$300.
• Timeline to Get Started: You can start applying for jobs immediately. There is no bureaucratic wait time. Your "license" is your portfolio, your GitHub profile, and your ability to pass technical interviews.

Insider Tip: For local government and university jobs, having a clean background check is essential. Factor in a week or two for that process after a job offer.

Best Neighborhoods for Web Developers

Bryan is divided into distinct areas, each with a different vibe and commute pattern. Choosing the right one can significantly impact your quality of life.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Estimated 1BR Rent	Best For...
Downtown Bryan	Historic charm, walkable to cafes, breweries, and the farmer's market. Mostly older homes converted to lofts and apartments. Commute to A&M is ~15-20 mins.	$900 - $1,200	Young professionals who want a social, urban feel and don't mind a short drive to major employers.
South College Station	The classic suburban choice. Newer apartment complexes, safe, close to shopping (Tanger Outlets, HEB), and top-rated schools. Commute to downtown Bryan is ~20 mins.	$950 - $1,250	Those who prioritize modern amenities, space, and a quiet, family-friendly environment.
Brazos County Fairgrounds Area	Central location, mix of older homes and some newer apartments. Very close to Texas A&M's west campus and the medical district. Commute is minimal (<10 mins).	$800 - $1,100	Developers working at the university or Baylor Scott & White who want a short, walkable bike ride to work.
East Bryan	More residential, with larger lots and older homes. Significantly more affordable. Commute to central employers is 15-25 mins.	$700 - $950	Budget-conscious developers or those who want more space for a home office and don't mind a longer commute.
Northgate	Adjacent to the Texas A&M campus, it's a vibrant, student-heavy area with lots of bars and restaurants. Can be noisy. Rent is variable.	$750 - $1,100	Recent graduates who want to be in the heart of the action and are okay with a younger, louder atmosphere.

Insider Tip: Traffic in Bryan is generally light, but the main arteries (Highway 6, FM 2818) can get congested during rush hour and on game days. Living on the same side of town as your employer is a key quality-of-life choice.

The Long Game: Career Growth

In Bryan, career growth often means deepening your expertise rather than jumping to a bigger company every two years. Here’s how you can advance and increase your earning potential.

• Specialty Premiums:

  • Full-Stack/React/Vue.js Expertise: Developers who can handle both front-end and back-end (especially with Node.js or Python) command a 15-20% premium over the median.
  • DevOps & Cloud Skills: Experience with AWS, Azure, or containerization (Docker, Kubernetes) is rare and highly valued, especially at Texas A&M and larger agencies. This can push you toward the $115,000+ expert tier.
  • UI/UX Design Hybrid: If you can bridge development and design, you become indispensable to small-to-mid-sized businesses and agencies.

• Advancement Paths:

  1. Individual Contributor: Master a stack, become the go-to expert on a key project. Your value is your deep knowledge.
  2. Tech Lead/Manager: Move into leading a small team of 2-5 developers. This requires solid communication and project management skills. Common in agencies and the university system.
  3. Consultant/Freelancer: Use your Bryan-based network to serve local businesses. The lower cost of living means you can charge competitive rates while maintaining a good lifestyle.
  4. Specialize in a Local Industry: Become the expert developer for agriculture tech, healthcare IT, or educational tools. This niche expertise is highly transferable and valuable.

• 10-Year Outlook (16% growth): The 16% projected growth is promising. It means more jobs will open up as local businesses digitize and existing companies expand. However, it also means competition will increase. Staying current with frameworks and tools is non-negotiable. The rise of remote work also means you can work for a company in Austin or Dallas while living in Bryan, giving you the best of both worlds: a higher salary and a lower cost of living.

The Verdict: Is Bryan Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Low Cost of Living: Your $90,162 salary goes much further than in major metros.	Smaller Job Market: Fewer total jobs than in Austin or Dallas. Competition for the best roles can be fierce.
Stable Employers: University, healthcare, and government jobs offer great stability and benefits.	Limited Nightlife/Scene: It's a college town, so the scene is vibrant but not as diverse as a large city.
Manageable Commute: Traffic is minimal, and most neighborhoods are within a 20-minute drive of employers.	Salaries are Slightly Below National: While the cost of living adjusts for this, top-tier salaries are rarer.
Growing Tech Community: A supportive, close-knit group of developers, often through meetups and university events.	Dependent on Texas A&M: The local economy is heavily tied to the university. Diversification is slow.
Easy Access to Nature: Close to parks, lakes, and the Brazos River for outdoor activities.	Limited Senior/Leadership Roles: You may need to create your own path or work remotely to reach the highest levels.

Final Recommendation: Bryan is an excellent choice for web developers who value financial stability, a lower-stress lifestyle, and a strong sense of community. It's ideal for mid-career professionals, remote workers, or those looking to buy a home early in their career. It may not be the best fit for those seeking the fast-paced startup culture of Austin or the ultra-high salaries of Silicon Valley. For the right person, Bryan offers a sustainable and rewarding career path.

FAQs

Q: Is it hard to find a web developer job in Bryan as an outsider?
A: It's not impossible, but it can be challenging. The market is smaller, so you need to stand out. Your best bet is to apply 2-3 months before your planned move, network with local developers on LinkedIn, and be open to roles at the university or agencies. Having a strong portfolio is critical.

Q: What's the tech stack most commonly used here?
A: You'll see a lot of WordPress with PHP for local businesses and some university sites. For custom applications, React and Vue.js are growing in popularity on the front-end. Laravel (PHP) and Node.js are common back-end choices. .NET is also used, particularly by larger organizations and government entities.

Q: How important is a college degree for jobs here?
A: It varies. For university and government jobs, a degree is often a hard requirement. For agencies and smaller companies, a strong portfolio and proven experience can sometimes outweigh a degree. However, with Texas A&M nearby, having a degree (even from a different school) can be an advantage.

Q: What's the community like for developers?
A: It's active but smaller. Look for meetups through Meetup.com (search for "Bryan-College Station Tech"), the Brazos Valley Developers group, or events hosted by The RELLIS Campus. The Texas A&M computer science department also hosts public talks and events.

Q: Can I work fully remote from Bryan?
A: Absolutely. Many developers in Bryan work remotely for companies in Austin, Dallas, or even out of state. The local internet infrastructure (from providers like Suddenlink/Optimum and AT&T Fiber) is generally good. Working remotely allows you to earn a big-city salary while enjoying Bryan's low cost of living—a strategy many locals use successfully.

Sources: Data referenced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Texas Workforce Commission, local real estate listings, and industry salary surveys (e.g., Glassdoor, Indeed) for the Bryan-College Station metro area. Cost of Living Index from BestPlaces.net.