Web Developer in Garland, TX

The Salary Picture: Where Garland Stands

As a local who’s seen Garland transform from a quiet suburb into a tech-adjacent hub, I can tell you the numbers back up the buzz. Web developers here aren't competing with Austin’s frenzy, but the demand is steady and the pay is solid for the cost of living. The median salary for a web developer in Garland is $93,668/year, translating to an hourly rate of $45.03/hour. This sits just above the national average of $92,750/year, a small but significant margin that reflects Garland's position in the broader Dallas-Fort Worth metro economy.

The job market, while not vast, is active. There are approximately 487 web developer jobs listed in the metro area at any given time. The 10-year job growth projection is a healthy 16%, indicating a stable, expanding field rather than a boom-and-bust cycle. This growth is fueled by the city's ongoing revitalization and the influx of businesses seeking tech talent without the downtown Dallas premium.

To understand where you might fit in, let's break down salaries by experience level. Note that these are estimates based on local market trends and the provided median data.

Experience Level	Estimated Annual Salary	Key Responsibilities
Entry-Level	$65,000 - $78,000	Front-end basics, content management systems, junior support.
Mid-Level	$80,000 - $95,000	Full-stack development, API integration, independent project work.
Senior-Level	$96,000 - $115,000	System architecture, team leadership, complex problem-solving.
Expert/Lead	$116,000+	Technical direction, mentoring, cross-department strategy.

When comparing Garland to other Texas cities, the context is key. Austin's median is higher (around $105,000), but the cost of living is significantly steeper. Houston and San Antonio have similar or slightly lower median salaries, but with different industry focuses (energy, healthcare). Garland’s advantage is its proximity to Dallas's corporate core (a 20-30 minute drive) while offering suburban affordability. You get access to big-city opportunities without the Dallas price tag.

Insider Tip: Don't just look at the job title "Web Developer." In the DFW area, you'll see "Front-End Engineer," "Full-Stack Developer," and "UI/UX Developer" more frequently. These often carry a $5,000-$15,000 salary premium. Specializing in modern frameworks (React, Vue, Next.js) or adjacent skills like DevOps or cloud services (AWS, Azure) can push you toward the higher end of the ranges above.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get practical. A median salary of $93,668 sounds good, but what does it mean for your bank account? We'll use the average 1BR rent in Garland of $1,291/month and a conservative tax estimate (federal, state, FICA) of roughly 22-25% for this bracket.

Monthly Budget Breakdown for a Single Web Developer Earning $93,668:

• Gross Monthly Income: $7,805
• Estimated Taxes (24%): -$1,873
• Net Monthly Income: ~$5,932
• Rent (1BR Average): -$1,291
• Remaining for Utilities, Food, Transport, Savings: ~$4,641

This leaves a very comfortable margin. Utilities (electric, water, internet) for a 1BR average $150-$200/month. Groceries for one person can be managed at $350-$450/month if you cook. A car is essential in Garland; budget $400-$600/month for a car payment, insurance, and gas (or a transit pass for the DART system). This still leaves over $3,000/month for savings, debt, entertainment, and investments.

Can they afford to buy a home? Absolutely. The median home price in Garland is around $320,000. With a $93,668 salary, a 20% down payment ($64,000) is substantial, but achievable with savings and discipline. A more common route is a 5-10% down payment. For a $320,000 home with 10% down ($32,000) and a 30-year mortgage at ~6.5% interest, your monthly principal and interest would be roughly $1,800. Adding taxes, insurance, and PMI, you're looking at $2,200-$2,500/month. This is manageable on your net income, though it would tighten your budget compared to renting. Many local developers buy in the $250,000-$350,000 range, often in neighborhoods like Lake Highlands (east side) or North Garland, which offer good value.

Insider Tip: Your first home in Garland likely won't be a new-build downtown. Look at the established neighborhoods from the 1970s-90s. They have character, mature trees, and are often closer to the DART rail line, which is a huge perk for commuting to Dallas or Richardson's Telecom Corridor.

Where the Jobs Are: Garland's Major Employers

Garland isn't a tech island; it's a node in the massive DFW tech network. Most local web dev jobs are with companies headquartered here or with significant local offices. Here are the key players:

1. City of Garland IT Department: A major public sector employer. They hire web developers for the city's public-facing websites, internal portals, and citizen service applications. Salaries are competitive with the median, and benefits are excellent. Hiring is steady but slow; you'll need to watch the city's job portal closely.

2. Texas Health Resources (Garland Medical Center): While the main IT hub is in Arlington, the Garland campus has a need for developers supporting patient portals, internal systems, and public health websites. Healthcare tech is a stable, growing field. They often look for developers with experience in HIPAA-compliant environments.

3. CannonDesign (Dallas/Garland Office): A major architecture/engineering firm with a strong digital presence. Their web team supports the company's global website, project showcases, and client portals. They value developers with an eye for design and user experience. This is a great place for a developer who wants to work on visually rich, creative projects.

4. Local Marketing & Ad Agencies: Garland has a cluster of mid-sized marketing agencies (e.g., The Michael Group, Thompson & Company) that build websites for local and regional clients. These are fast-paced environments where you'll work on a variety of projects—from small business sites to large e-commerce platforms. Pay can be variable, but the experience is invaluable.

5. Manufacturing & Logistics Tech: Garland is home to a huge industrial park and numerous manufacturing companies (e.g., Garland Glass, Precision Fasteners). These companies are increasingly digitizing and need in-house developers for their websites, customer portals, and internal logistics systems. It's an overlooked sector with stable demand.

6. Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex Giants: While not based in Garland, companies like Raytheon, Capital One, and JPMorgan Chase have massive offices in neighboring Richardson and Plano. A 20-minute commute opens up thousands of jobs. Many developers live in Garland and commute north. This is the most common career path for ambitious locals.

Hiring Trend Insight: The trend is toward hybrid or remote work. Many Garland-based companies have adopted a 2-3 day in-office model. This is a huge advantage for work-life balance. However, for junior developers, being in-office more often is crucial for mentorship. When interviewing, ask about their remote work policy explicitly.

Getting Licensed in TX

Here’s a crucial point for web developers: you do not need a state license to practice. Unlike architects, engineers, or accountants, web development is an unlicensed profession in Texas and nationwide. There is no "Texas Web Developer License" issued by the state.

However, there are important certifications and registrations that matter:

• Business Registration: If you plan to freelance or start your own LLC, you must register with the Texas Secretary of State. The filing fee for an LLC is $300. You'll also need to obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS (free).
• Professional Certifications: While not legally required, certifications can boost your salary. The most valued in the DFW market are:
  • AWS Certified Developer or Solutions Architect: Highly sought after for full-stack and backend roles. Exam cost: ~$150.
  • Google Associate Android Developer: If you're branching into mobile. Exam cost: ~$149.
  • Scrum Master Certification (CSM): Useful for team lead roles. Course and exam cost: ~$1,000.
• Timeline to Get Started: You can start applying for jobs immediately with a strong portfolio. If you're starting from zero, a reputable bootcamp (like General Assembly or UT Dallas Coding Bootcamp) takes 3-6 months. Building a solid portfolio with 3-5 deployed projects takes another 1-2 months. The entire process from learning to landing a first job can be 6-9 months if you're dedicated.

Insider Tip: The local tech community is your best resource. Join the Dallas Web Developers or DFW Tech Professionals groups on LinkedIn and Meetup. Attend events at the Garland Public Library or nearby The Dallas Entrepreneur Center (The DEC). Networking is the fastest way to hear about unposted jobs.

Best Neighborhoods for Web Developers

Garland is a city of distinct neighborhoods. Your choice depends on your commute, lifestyle, and budget.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Avg. 1BR Rent	Why It's Good for Devs
Downtown Garland	Urban, walkable, artsy. 30-min drive to Dallas core.	$1,350	Near the DART station. Great for developers who want a social, walkable environment with local coffee shops and restaurants.
Lake Highlands (East)	Family-friendly, suburban, quiet. 20-min commute to Richardson.	$1,450	Excellent value for buying a home. Close to White Rock Lake for outdoor breaks. Strong community feel.
North Garland	Established, middle-class, convenient. 25-min commute to North Dallas.	$1,250	More affordable rent and home prices. Easy access to Firewheel Town Center and major highways (I-635, George Bush).
Spring Creek	Modern, upscale, newer construction. 30-min commute to Dallas.	$1,500	If you want a newer apartment or townhome with amenities. Less "Garland character," more "generic suburbia," but very comfortable.
Broadmoor Acres	Quiet, residential, near Lake Ray Hubbard. 35-min commute to Dallas.	$1,200	The most affordable option. Great for developers who prioritize space and a quiet home office over nightlife.

Insider Tip: For a web developer, proximity to a DART station (Garland Station, Downtown Garland Station, or Lake Highlands Station) is a secret weapon. It turns a boring commute into productive time—review code, listen to tech podcasts, or just relax. It also expands your job search radius to all of Dallas without a car.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Your career trajectory in Garland is defined by specialization and the DFW metro's gravity.

Specialty Premiums:

• Full-Stack + DevOps: +$15,000-$25,000 over a pure front-end role. Companies want developers who can deploy and manage their own code.
• E-commerce Specialist (Shopify, WooCommerce): +$10,000-$20,000. The local retail and manufacturing sectors need this expertise.
• Accessibility (A11y) Expert: +$5,000-$15,000. With increasing legal requirements, this is a high-demand niche.
• UI/UX Design Hybrid: +$10,000-$20,000. Being able to design and build is a massive advantage.

Advancement Path:

1. Junior Developer (0-2 yrs): Learn, contribute to small tasks. Salary: $65K-$78K.
2. Mid-Level Developer (2-5 yrs): Own features, mentor juniors. Salary: $80K-$95K.
3. Senior Developer (5-8 yrs): Architect systems, lead technical decisions. Salary: $96K-$115K.
4. Staff/Principal Engineer or Engineering Manager (8+ yrs): Cross-team strategy, large-scale system design, or people management. Salary: $130K+.

10-Year Outlook: The 16% job growth is a solid foundation. Garland's role will solidify as a "bedroom community for tech talent." Expect more companies to open satellite offices here for tax incentives and lower overhead. The key will be the Dallas Innovation District and Richardson's Telecom Corridor—these will be the primary engines of opportunity. Your best bet for long-term growth is to build a strong network in Dallas while enjoying Garland's affordability. The competition will be with the entire DFW metro, not just Garland, so continuous learning is non-negotiable.

The Verdict: Is Garland Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Excellent Cost of Living: Your $93,668 salary goes much further here than in Austin or Dallas proper.	Limited "Pure Tech" Scene: You'll likely commute for high-profile tech company roles.
Prime DFW Location: Easy access to major job markets in Richardson, Plano, and Dallas.	Car Dependency: Public transit (DART) is improving but not comprehensive. A car is a must.
Stable Job Market: 487 jobs and 16% growth provide security.	Suburban Identity: Lacks the vibrant, young urban core of Dallas or Austin.
Diverse Housing Options: From affordable apartments to family homes, you can find a fit.	Summers are Brutally Hot: From June to September, outdoor activity is limited to early mornings or pools.
Strong Community Feel: Neighborhoods are tight-knit, which is great for families.	School District Variability: Research school ratings if you have or plan children; they vary by neighborhood.

Final Recommendation: Garland is an excellent choice for mid-career developers (3-10 years experience) who value financial stability, a reasonable commute, and a quieter lifestyle. It's perfect for those who want to own a home, raise a family, and still have access to a major metropolitan job market. It's also a good launchpad for juniors who can tolerate a commute for the first few years. For early-career developers who crave a dense, walkable, tech-centric environment 24/7, Dallas or Austin might be a better fit initially.

FAQs

1. I'm a junior developer. Will I find a job in Garland?
Yes, but be strategic. Focus on the marketing agencies, the City of Garland, and local manufacturing firms for your first role. Simultaneously, apply to companies in Richardson and Plano. Be prepared to commute 20-30 minutes. Your first job might not be in Garland, but living there makes those commutes manageable.

2. How important is a degree vs. a bootcamp/portfolio?
In the DFW market, a strong portfolio and demonstrable skills are often more important than a degree, especially for front-end and full-stack roles. However, for large corporate employers (like Raytheon or banks), a CS degree is still preferred. A bootcamp certificate from a reputable program is widely accepted, but your GitHub and live projects are what will get you hired.

3. What's the tech meetup scene like in Garland itself?
Garland's scene is smaller but growing. The Garland Public Library hosts tech talks and coding workshops. The real action is in nearby Dallas (The DEC, TechFort Worth) and Richardson (The Richardson IoT Hub). Plan to drive 15-25 minutes for most major events. It's a small price for access to a massive network.

4. Is it safe to live in Garland?
Like any city of its size, Garland has safe and less-safe areas. The neighborhoods listed above (Downtown, Lake Highlands, North Garland, etc.) are generally considered safe and family-friendly. Always check crime maps and visit neighborhoods at different times of day before renting or buying. The eastern side near Lake Ray Hubbard is particularly desirable.

5. How do I negotiate a salary offer here?
Use the provided data: The median is $93,668. If you're mid-level with solid experience, you should aim for $90,000-$100,000. Research the company on Glassdoor and ask about their salary bands. Remember, the cost of living index is 103.3—slightly above average—so companies factor that in. Don't be afraid to counter; the DFW market is competitive for good talent.