The Complete Career Guide for Web Developers in Carrollton, TX

Carrollton isn't just another suburb on the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) metroplex map. It's a strategic hub for tech talent, nestled between the corporate giants of Plano and the innovation corridors of Frisco. For a Web Developer, it offers a compelling mix of affordability, access to major employers, and a community that feels like a small town while being minutes from the city. This guide breaks down the real-world economics, job market, and lifestyle for a Web Developer considering the move.

The Salary Picture: Where Carrollton Stands

The tech salary landscape in DFW is robust, and Carrollton sits comfortably within it. While it may not command the same top-tier premiums as Austin or San Francisco, the cost-adjusted value is significant. The median salary for a Web Developer in Carrollton is $93,668/year, with an hourly rate of $45.03/hour. This is slightly above the national average for the role, which sits at $92,750/year, indicating a healthy local market.

The job market is active but specific. The metro area (Dallas-Plano-Fort Worth) has 264 jobs open for Web Developers at any given time. This isn't a flood of opportunities like in a tech epicenter, but it’s a steady stream that prioritizes quality and specialization. Over the last decade, the 10-year job growth for the profession in the region has been 16%, signaling a stable, growing demand rather than a volatile boom.

Experience-Level Salary Breakdown

Your earning potential in Carrollton will be heavily influenced by your experience, the tech stack you master, and the industry you target (e.g., finance, healthcare, retail). The following table provides a general breakdown based on local market trends and regional data.

Experience Level	Years of Experience	Estimated Salary Range (Carrollton)	Key Responsibilities
Entry-Level	0-2 years	$65,000 - $80,000	Front-end development, basic bug fixes, working under senior developers, learning core frameworks.
Mid-Level	3-5 years	$85,000 - $110,000	Full-stack capabilities, feature ownership, code reviews, mentoring juniors, API integration.
Senior-Level	5-8 years	$110,000 - $135,000	System architecture, technical leadership, performance optimization, complex problem-solving, cross-team collaboration.
Expert/Lead	8+ years	$135,000+	Strategic planning, setting tech vision, managing engineering teams, deep specialization in a niche (e.g., security, DevOps, AI/ML for web).

Local Insight: The biggest salary premiums in Carrollton are found in two sectors: financial technology (FinTech) and logistics/supply chain tech. Companies in these spaces, often headquartered in nearby Plano or Irving, pay at the higher end of these ranges. A Senior Developer working on a payment processing platform can easily command $130,000+.

Comparison to Other Texas Cities

Carrollton’s salary is competitive when you factor in its cost of living. It’s not the highest-paying city in Texas, but it’s not the most expensive either.

City	Median Web Developer Salary	Cost of Living Index (US Avg=100)	Take-Home Value
Carrollton	$93,668	103.3	Very Good
Austin	$98,500	115.4	Good
Dallas	$94,200	106.5	Good
Houston	$92,100	96.5	Excellent
San Antonio	$88,500	92.3	Excellent
Fort Worth	$91,800	102.2	Very Good

Salary and COL data are approximate, compiled from BLS and cost-of-living aggregators.

Analysis: Carrollton offers a sweet spot. You earn nearly as much as in Dallas but with a slightly lower cost of living and less commute friction. While Austin’s salaries are higher, the cost of living is significantly steeper, meaning your disposable income in Carrollton could be comparable or even higher.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

A $93,668 salary sounds solid, but what does it mean for your monthly budget? Let’s break it down for a single filer with no dependents.

• Gross Annual Salary: $93,668
• Estimated Monthly Gross: $7,806
• Taxes (Federal, FICA, State): ~22-25% (approx. $1,830)
• Estimated Net Monthly Income: $5,976

Now, layer in the cost of living. The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Carrollton is $1,291/month.

Monthly Budget Breakdown (Net Income: $5,976)

Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Notes
Rent (1BR)	$1,291	This is the city average. Newer luxury builds can be $1,500+.
Utilities	$150	Electricity, water, internet (essential for WFH).
Groceries	$400	Carrollton has multiple H-E-B, Kroger, and Asian markets.
Transportation	$350	Gas, insurance, car maintenance. Public transit (DART) is limited.
Health Insurance	$300	Varies greatly by employer; this is a pre-tax estimate.
Misc. & Entertainment	$600	Dining out, hobbies, streaming services.
Remaining	$2,885	For savings, student loans, investments, or future home.

Insider Tip: This budget assumes a car is a necessity. While Carrollton has a DART station (in Old Town), the system is designed for commuting to Dallas, not for daily errands within the city. Reliable personal transportation is key.

Can They Afford to Buy a Home?

This is the big question. The median home price in Carrollton hovers around $380,000 - $420,000 for a 3-bedroom, 2-bath single-family home.

With $2,885 left over monthly, a home purchase is feasible but requires discipline. Here’s a realistic path:

1. Down Payment (20%): You’d need $76,000 - $84,000 saved. At your budget surplus, saving $2,000/month means a 3-4 year timeline.
2. Mortgage & Taxes: A $340,000 loan at 6.5% would be $2,150/month, plus property taxes ($700/month) and insurance. Total monthly housing cost: $2,850+.
3. The Math: This would consume nearly 50% of your net income, which is not advisable. A more comfortable target is a $280,000 home, which would require a smaller down payment and a monthly payment closer to $2,300.

Verdict: On a single income of $93,668, buying a home immediately is tight. However, with a partner’s income or a few years of career advancement to the $120,000 range, Carrollton’s real estate market is one of the more accessible in the DFW area for professionals.

Where the Jobs Are: Carrollton's Major Employers

Carrollton’s job market is a mix of corporate headquarters, logistics giants, and a growing satellite tech scene. Most Web Developer roles are with these types of employers.

1. Comerica Bank (HQ in Dallas, major presence in Carrollton): A major employer in financial services. They have a large technology division and regularly hire for full-stack developers, QA automation engineers, and DevOps roles. Hiring is steady but competitive, often requiring knowledge of banking compliance and security.
2. Hilton Worldwide (HQ in McLean, VA, but major Carrollton office): Hilton’s technology and reservation systems are managed in part from their Carrollton campus. They look for developers for their web platforms, mobile apps, and internal tools. Knowledge of .NET, Java, and cloud platforms (AWS) is highly valued here.
3. DG Foods / DG Logistics: This is a major food distribution and logistics company with its headquarters in Carrollton. They are increasingly investing in their tech stack for supply chain management, e-commerce, and internal portals. Great for developers interested in backend-heavy, ROI-driven projects.
4. SAS (Statistical Analysis System) Institute: While their global HQ is in Cary, NC, SAS has a significant and growing office in the Carrollton area. They are a leader in analytics software, and their web developers work on complex data visualization platforms and web-based analytics tools. This is a niche but highly respected employer.
5. Medical City Carrollton (Hospital System): As part of the HCA Healthcare network, the hospital needs a constant stream of web developers for their patient portals, internal intranets, and digital patient check-in systems. Work here often involves strict HIPAA compliance and integration with medical record systems like Epic or Cerner.
6. Local Tech Agencies & Startups: The Carrollton Town Center area and the Downtown Carrollton (Old Town) district are seeing a rise in smaller digital agencies and tech startups. These are excellent places for mid-level developers to gain broad experience, often with more flexible work environments. Companies like Axon (though HQ'd in Scottsdale, they have a major Carrollton facility) are in the public safety tech space and are a massive local employer for software roles.

Hiring Trends: The trend in Carrollton is shifting from pure front-end roles to full-stack and backend specialists. Companies want developers who can manage databases, APIs, and cloud infrastructure. Knowledge of React, Node.js, Python (Django/Flask), and AWS/Azure is a powerful combination here. Remote work is common, but hybrid models (2-3 days in office) are still the standard for many local companies.

Getting Licensed in TX

Let’s be clear: Web development is a licensed-free profession in Texas. You do not need a state license to write code, build websites, or develop web applications. Your portfolio, skills, and experience are your credentials.

However, there are professional certifications that hold weight in the corporate world, especially in regulated industries like finance and healthcare in Carrollton.

• State Licensing Board: None for web development.
• Recommended Certifications:
  • AWS Certified Developer - Associate: Highly valuable for any role at a company with cloud infrastructure (which is most of them). Cost: $300 for the exam.
  • Google Associate Android Developer: If you’re interested in the mobile web/hybrid app space. Cost: $149.
  • Scrum Master (CSM/PSM): For developers moving into team lead or agile roles. Cost: $1,000+ for the course and exam.
• Timeline to Get Started: You can apply for jobs the day you decide to move. There is no mandatory waiting period or state paperwork. The main "licensing" is your GitHub repository and your resume.

Best Neighborhoods for Web Developers

Carrollton’s neighborhoods offer distinct vibes. Your choice will depend on your commute preference, lifestyle, and budget.

1. Old Town / Downtown Carrollton:

   • Vibe: Historic charm, walkable, growing arts district, weekly farmers market, and local breweries. It's where the community heart is.
   • Commute: Centrally located. Easy access to I-35E and George Bush Turnpike.
   • Rent (1BR): $1,350 - $1,600 (mostly renovated older complexes and some new builds).
   • Best For: Developers who want a neighborhood feel, enjoy local scene, and don’t mind a slightly older apartment.

2. South Carrollton / Rosemeade:

   • Vibe: Quiet, family-oriented, established suburbs. Lots of parks, good schools, and larger apartment complexes with amenities.
   • Commute: Can be farther from major freeways, but easy access to US-380 (a growing tech corridor).
   • Rent (1BR): $1,200 - $1,400 (more affordable, more square footage).
   • Best For: Developers seeking more space, peace, and a traditional suburban lifestyle.

3. East Carrollton / Trinity Mills:

   • Vibe: Mixed-use, modern apartments, and newer townhomes. Close to the DART station and the bustling Carrollton-Farmers Branch area.
   • Commute: Excellent. Direct DART access to Dallas. Easy drive to Plano/Richardson tech corridors.
   • Rent (1BR): $1,300 - $1,550.
   • Best For: Commuters who work in Dallas or Plano but want to live in a more affordable, modern setting.

4. West Carrollton (near A.D. Mills Parkway):

   • Vibe: Commercial and residential mix. Close to major shopping centers (like the Carrollton Town Center). Can be traffic-heavy during peak times.
   • Commute: Good access to I-35E and President George Bush Turnpike.
   • Rent (1BR): $1,250 - $1,450.
   • Best For: Developers who prioritize convenience to shopping and dining, and don’t mind a busier environment.

Insider Tip: Traffic on I-35E and George Bush Turnpike can be brutal during rush hour. If your job is in Plano, living in East Carrollton near the DART station or along the George Bush corridor will save you 15-30 minutes of daily commute stress.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Carrollton is an excellent launchpad, but to maximize your long-term earning potential, you need to specialize.

Specialty Premiums in the DFW Market:

• Full-Stack (React/Node.js): Baseline salary.
• DevOps/Cloud Engineering (AWS/Azure): +15-20% premium. This is the fastest-growing skill set.
• Security-Focused Dev (FinTech/Healthcare): +10-15% premium.
• AI/ML for Web (Python, TensorFlow.js): +20-30% premium, but with fewer local roles.

Advancement Paths:

1. Individual Contributor (IC): Junior -> Senior -> Staff Engineer -> Principal Engineer. This path is about deep technical expertise. In Carrollton, reaching a Principal level can net $160,000 - $180,000.
2. Management: Senior Developer -> Engineering Manager -> Director of Engineering. This path focuses on people and project management. Salaries are similar to the IC track at the senior level, but managers often have a higher ceiling at the director level ($180,000+).

10-Year Outlook: The 16% job growth is promising. Carrollton’s location will keep it relevant. As downtown Dallas and Plano become more expensive, companies will continue to look for talent in affordable suburbs. The rise of remote work is a double-edged sword: it allows you to work for higher-paying companies elsewhere, but it also means you’ll be competing with a national talent pool. Your best bet is to build a strong local network and specialize in a niche that’s in demand locally (FinTech, Logistics, Healthcare Tech).

The Verdict: Is Carrollton Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Affordable Housing: One of the most budget-friendly suburbs in DFW for the quality of life.	Car-Dependent: Public transit (DART) is limited for local errands.
Strategic Location: Central to Dallas, Plano, Frisco, and Irving—major job hubs.	Lacks Urban Density: It’s a suburb, not a city. Fewer nightlife options than Dallas or Austin.
Stable Job Market: 264 jobs and 16% growth indicate a resilient, non-volatile market.	Competition: You’re competing with talent from the entire DFW metro.
Diverse Employer Base: From finance to logistics to healthcare, reducing industry-specific risk.	Salary Ceiling: While good, top salaries here may not reach the peaks of Austin or national tech hubs.
Family-Friendly: Excellent schools, parks, and a strong sense of community.	Summers: The Texas heat is real. Be prepared for triple-digit temperatures.

Final Recommendation:
Carrollton is an excellent choice for mid-career Web Developers (3-8 years of experience) who value work-life balance, affordability, and access to a diverse range of employers without the extreme costs of Austin or the intense urban pace of downtown Dallas. It’s particularly well-suited for developers in the FinTech, logistics, or healthcare tech sectors.

For entry-level developers, it’s a great place to start if you secure a role with a local company, but you must be aggressive about