Web Developer in Flint, MI

The Salary Picture: Where Flint Stands

As a Flint native who’s watched the tech scene evolve from the ashes of the old GM-dominated economy, I can tell you one thing: web development here is a mixed bag. It’s not the Silicon Valley, but it’s not a dead-end either. The median salary for a Web Developer in Flint is $89,911/year, which breaks down to a solid $43.23/hour. That’s slightly below the national average of $92,750/year, but the lower cost of living here makes that salary go much further than it would in places like Austin or Chicago.

The job market is tight but present. There are about 159 active job listings for Web Developers within the Flint metro area. It’s not a flood of opportunities, but it’s a steady stream. The 10-year job growth projection is a respectable 16%, which tells me the tech sector is growing alongside the city’s broader economic diversification efforts. We’re seeing a shift from a purely industrial base to one that includes healthcare, education, and creative services, all of which need web talent.

To break it down by experience, here’s what you can realistically expect in the Flint market:

Experience Level	Years of Experience	Typical Flint Salary Range
Entry-Level/Junior	0-2 years	$60,000 - $75,000
Mid-Level	3-5 years	$75,000 - $95,000
Senior Developer	5-10 years	$95,000 - $115,000
Expert/Lead	10+ years	$115,000+

When you compare Flint to other Michigan tech hubs, the disparity becomes clear. Ann Arbor, with the University of Michigan and its spin-offs, commands higher salaries (often 15-20% above Flint). Grand Rapids has a booming design and manufacturing tech scene that also pushes its average above Flint. Detroit, of course, is the heavyweight, especially in automotive software, with salaries significantly higher. However, the trade-off in Flint is the drastic reduction in living costs.

Insider Tip: Don’t just look at the salary number. A $90,000 salary in Ann Arbor or Detroit gets eaten alive by rent and taxes. In Flint, that same $90,000 allows for a much higher quality of life, with money left over for savings or discretionary spending. The key is to target remote positions for national companies while living in Flint to maximize your income-to-cost ratio.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get brutally practical. Your take-home pay isn’t just about the top-line salary. Using the median salary of $89,911, we can estimate a monthly budget for Flint. (Note: This is a rough estimate; your actual take-home depends on benefits, 401k contributions, and state/federal tax withholdings.)

For a single filer with no dependents, after federal, state (Michigan has a flat 4.25% income tax), Social Security, and Medicare, your monthly take-home is likely in the $5,300 - $5,600 range.

Here’s a sample monthly budget breakdown for a Web Developer earning the median salary in Flint:

Expense Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Notes
Take-Home Pay	$5,400	Post-tax, pre-deductions
Rent (1BR)	$854	Citywide average
Utilities (Electric, Heat, Internet)	$180	Flint winters = higher heating bills
Groceries	$400	For one person
Car Payment/Insurance	$400	Flint is car-dependent; public transit is limited
Gas/Maintenance	$150
Health Insurance (if not employer-paid)	$250	Varies widely
Entertainment/Dining	$300	Flint’s art and food scene is affordable
Savings/Debt Payment	$1,866	Surplus
TOTAL	$4,400	Leaves $1,000 for unexpected expenses

The surplus here is significant. This budget assumes a moderate lifestyle and doesn’t account for larger expenses like student loans or family costs, but it highlights Flint’s affordability. The $854 average rent is a major factor. You can find decent 1BR apartments in many neighborhoods for this price.

Can they afford to buy a home? Absolutely. With the median home price in Flint hovering around $110,000 - $130,000, a web developer earning the median salary is in a prime position. A $120,000 home with a 10% down payment ($12,000) and a 30-year mortgage at 7% interest would have a monthly payment of roughly $720 (PITI). This is often less than the average rent. Flint’s housing market offers incredible equity-building potential for a professional with a steady income.

Where the Jobs Are: Flint's Major Employers

Flint’s tech job market isn’t concentrated in a single downtown tech campus. It’s dispersed across healthcare, education, legacy manufacturing, and a growing creative economy. Here are the major local employers actively hiring web developers:

1. Hurley Medical Center: As the region’s Level I trauma center and a major teaching hospital, Hurley has a significant IT department. They need developers for patient portals, internal systems, and data management. Hiring is steady, often for full-stack developers familiar with healthcare compliance (HIPAA). They value stability and experience with large, legacy systems.

2. Mott Community College (MCC): MCC is a cornerstone of Flint’s educational ecosystem. Their IT department and the McCree Center for Entrepreneurship hire developers for their learning management systems, student portals, and public-facing websites. This is a great fit for developers who enjoy an academic environment and mission-driven work.

3. The University of Michigan-Flint: Similar to MCC, UM-Flint is a major employer. Their needs are similar but often more complex due to the larger student body and research components. They frequently post positions for web administrators and developers to manage the university’s vast digital presence.

4. Genesee Health System: The county’s public mental health authority. They have a growing need for web developers to build and maintain systems for patient records, telehealth services, and public information portals. This is a niche but critical area, offering stable employment in the public sector.

5. Local Creative & Digital Agencies: Flint has a surprising number of small-to-mid-sized marketing and design agencies. Companies like MSU Extension Genesee County (which often hires for web projects) or agencies serving the automotive supply chain (like those in the broader Flint-Grand Blanc corridor) are constant sources of freelance and contract work. This is where you’ll find more modern tech stacks (React, Vue, modern CMS platforms).

6. Legacy & Automotive Suppliers: While not as direct as in Detroit, many Tier 1 and Tier 2 automotive suppliers (e.g., companies in the Flint Township/Grand Blanc area) have internal IT teams. They need web developers for B2B portals, inventory management websites, and internal communications. Knowledge of manufacturing and supply chain software is a plus.

Hiring Trends: The trend is toward hybrid and remote roles. Local employers are increasingly open to it, but the most aggressive hiring is for companies based in Flint but serving national clients. The “work from anywhere” trend has boosted Flint’s appeal for remote workers earning coastal salaries.

Getting Licensed in MI

For web developers, formal state licensing is not required. Michigan does not have a specific license for software developers, web developers, or IT professionals. This is a significant advantage, as it lowers the barrier to entry.

However, there are essential certifications and considerations:

• Education & Certifications: While not state-mandated, employers highly value relevant degrees (Computer Science, Web Development, etc.) or completing reputable coding bootcamps. Certifications from companies like Microsoft (Azure), Amazon (AWS), or Google (Cloud) can boost your resume dramatically, especially for backend or full-stack roles.
• Cost: If you pursue a bootcamp, costs can range from $10,000 to $20,000. However, many offer income-share agreements (ISAs). University degrees are more expensive but provide a broader foundation.
• Timeline: There’s no state-mandated timeline. You can start learning and building a portfolio immediately. A bootcamp typically lasts 3-6 months. A bachelor’s degree takes 4 years. The key is building a strong portfolio of projects that demonstrate your skills.
• For Freelancers: If you plan to freelance, you’ll need to register your business with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). This is a simple process, often just filing a DBA (“Doing Business As”) for a few hundred dollars.

Insider Tip: In Flint, your portfolio and networking are more valuable than any certificate. Attend events at the Flint Institute of Music (FIM) or the Flint Public Library tech workshops. The local community is tight-knit, and a personal referral from someone at Hurley or Mott Community College is worth its weight in gold.

Best Neighborhoods for Web Developers

Flint’s neighborhoods vary widely in character, safety, and commute times. As a web developer, you want a balance of affordability, reliable internet (check providers like Spectrum or AT&T Fiber availability before you sign a lease), and a decent commute.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Estimated 1BR Rent	Notes
Downtown Flint	Urban, walkable, artsy. Close to employers like Hurley and UM-Flint. Walk or bike commute.	$900 - $1,100	The "Flint Revival" is real here. Great restaurants, the Capitol Theatre, and the Flint Farmers' Market. Parking can be a challenge.
Grand Blanc	Suburban, polished, family-friendly. 15-20 min commute to most Flint employers.	$1,000 - $1,300	Home to many corporate offices and healthcare facilities (McLaren). More modern apartment complexes. Safer, but less "Flint" character.
Crosby/Genesee Park	Quiet, residential, mid-century homes. 10-15 min commute to downtown.	$750 - $950	Affordable, established neighborhoods. Good for buying a home. Check specific block-by-block for safety.
Flint Township	Commercial corridor mixed with older residential. 10-15 min commute to downtown.	$800 - $1,000	Access to major shopping (Genesee Valley Center). Close to the I-75/I-475 interchange for easy travel.
Mt. Morris	Northern suburb, more rural feel. 20-25 min commute.	$700 - $900	The most affordable on this list. Great if you value space and don’t mind the drive. Internet options can be less reliable.

Verdict on Neighborhoods: For a young professional, Downtown Flint offers the best lifestyle and shortest commute. For a focus on affordability and buying a home, Crosby/Genesee Park is ideal. Grand Blanc is the safe, suburban choice if you prioritize modern amenities and safety above all.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Flint is not a place for rapid, linear career advancement in the same vein as a major tech hub. Your growth will be more strategic and often lateral.

• Specialty Premiums: Developers with skills in cloud architecture (AWS/Azure), cybersecurity, or full-stack development (MERN/MEAN stack) will command salaries at the higher end of the ranges. Data visualization and analytics are also in high demand for the healthcare and education sectors.
• Advancement Paths: In a smaller market, advancement often means:
  1. Moving from a local company to a remote role with a national firm (this is the biggest salary jump you can make while staying in Flint).
  2. Specializing to become the go-to expert for a local industry (e.g., becoming the lead developer for healthcare systems at Hurley).
  3. Starting your own consultancy or agency, serving the many small businesses in the region that need digital services.
• 10-Year Outlook: With a 16% job growth projection, the market will remain stable but competitive. The key to long-term success in Flint is to build a strong local network while maintaining a national skillset. Attend the MichiGALA or DevOps Michigan meetups (often held in Flint or nearby). The developers who thrive here are those who can work on a local project for Hurley in the morning and consult for a San Francisco startup in the afternoon.

The Verdict: Is Flint Right for You?

Pros (✅)	Cons (❌)
✅ Incredibly low cost of living. Your $89,911 salary feels like $130,000+ in a coastal city.	❌ Limited local job market. Only 159 openings means you compete fiercely for the best local roles.
✅ Strong potential for homeownership. Build equity, not rent.	❌ The city’s challenges (poverty, infrastructure) are real. Some areas are in decline.
✅ Growing, if small, tech scene. Opportunities in healthcare, education, and manufacturing.	❌ Social life can be harder if you’re not from a university or healthcare background.
✅ Proximity to nature. Close to lakes, trails, and outdoor recreation.	❌ Public transit is poor; a reliable car is a necessity.
✅ A chance to be a big fish in a small pond. Make a tangible impact on your community.	❌ Salaries are below national average. You must be proactive about remote work for top pay.

Final Recommendation:
Flint is an excellent choice for a web developer who is:

• Early- to mid-career and looking to build savings or buy a home.
• Comfortable with a hybrid or fully remote work model.
• Interested in a lower-stress, community-focused environment outside the major tech hustle.
• Resilient and sees opportunity in revitalization.

Flint is not the right choice for a developer who:

• Requires constant networking with a dense, high-powered tech community.
• Is solely dependent on local, in-office jobs for career progression.
• Is unwilling to adapt to a smaller city’s pace and occasional infrastructure hiccups.

FAQs

1. What’s the best way to find a web development job in Flint?
Start with LinkedIn and Indeed, but filter for “Flint, MI” and “Remote.” Also, check the career pages of the specific employers listed above (Hurley, Mott, UM-Flint). For freelance work, join the Flint Creative Collective Facebook group and network at local coffee shops like Totally Different Cuts & Styles Cafe or Cafe Rhema.

2. Is the Flint tech scene really growing?
Yes, but it’s a “slow burn.” The growth is tied to the stability of the healthcare and education sectors, not explosive startup culture. The “Flint & Genesee Group” (the area’s economic development organization) actively promotes tech and innovation, which supports long-term growth.

3. How important is a car in Flint?
Essential. While downtown is walkable, most employers (Hurley, Mott, most agencies) are spread out. Public transportation (MTA) exists but is not reliable for a daily commute. Budget $400-$600/month for a car payment, insurance, and gas.

4. Can I survive in Flint without a family?
Yes, absolutely. The city has a growing scene for young professionals, especially in the arts and food communities. However, social life is not as dense as in a large city. You’ll need to be proactive about joining clubs, attending events, and building your own network.

5. What’s the biggest mistake newcomers make?
Underestimating the social and professional network. In Flint, who you know matters. Your best move is to join a local professional organization (like the Flint Area Chamber of Commerce) or a tech meetup. Your portfolio gets you the interview; your network gets you the job.