Web Developer in Kenosha, WI

Here is a complete career guide for Web Developers considering a move to Kenosha, WI.

As a career analyst with a deep connection to Kenosha, I’ve watched the tech scene here evolve from a handful of web shops to a more diversified market. Kenosha isn’t a traditional tech hub like Madison or Milwaukee, but that’s exactly why it’s an interesting play for the right developer. It offers a lower cost of living with surprising proximity to larger markets. This guide is built on hard data and local insights to help you decide if this city on the shore of Lake Michigan is your next career move.

The Salary Picture: Where Kenosha Stands

Let’s cut straight to the numbers. The Web Developer job market in Kenosha is modest but stable. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and regional wage data, the financial picture looks like this:

• Median Salary: $90,830/year
• Hourly Rate: $43.67/hour
• National Average: $92,750/year
• Jobs in Metro: 196
• 10-Year Job Growth: 16%

The most telling stat here is the 10-Year Job Growth of 16%. This is significantly higher than the national average for many traditional fields, indicating a healthy, growing demand for tech skills even in a secondary market like Kenosha. The 196 open positions in the metro area (which includes Kenosha County) proves there’s active hiring, though you won’t be drowning in options like you would in Chicago.

Experience-Level Breakdown

Salaries in Kenosha follow a clear progression. While local data can be sparse, we can extrapolate from regional trends and the provided median.

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range	Key Responsibilities
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)	$60,000 - $75,000	Front-end basics, CMS maintenance, junior bug fixes.
Mid-Level (3-5 yrs)	$75,000 - $95,000	Full-stack development, API integration, project ownership.
Senior-Level (6-9 yrs)	$95,000 - $115,000	Architecture, mentoring, complex system design.
Expert/Lead (10+ yrs)	$115,000+	Tech leadership, strategic planning, high-level consulting.

Comparison to Other WI Cities

How does Kenosha stack up against its Wisconsin neighbors? It sits in a unique middle ground.

City	Median Salary	Cost of Living Index	Key Vibe
Kenosha	$90,830	93.1	Affordable, lakefront, commuter-friendly.
Milwaukee	$98,500	96.0	Larger market, more Fortune 500 companies.
Madison	$97,000	99.5	Tech-centric, university-driven, stable.
Green Bay	$85,000	89.0	Smaller market, manufacturing/healthcare focus.
Appleton	$88,000	90.2	Growing tech scene, strong local businesses.

Insider Tip: While Milwaukee and Madison offer slightly higher salaries, Kenosha’s Cost of Living Index of 93.1 (US avg = 100) means your dollar stretches further. A developer earning $90,830 in Kenosha often enjoys a similar or better quality of life than a developer earning $98,000 in Milwaukee after accounting for housing and taxes.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Salary is just one part of the equation. What does your budget actually look like in Kenosha? Let’s break it down for a mid-level developer earning the median salary of $90,830/year.

Assumptions: Federal tax (filing single, standard deduction), Wisconsin state tax (4.775% for this bracket), and FICA. Local city taxes in Kenosha are minimal.

• Gross Annual Salary: $90,830
• Estimated Annual Taxes (Fed, State, FICA): ~$22,000
• Net Annual Take-Home: ~$68,830
• Monthly Net Take-Home: ~$5,735

Monthly Budget Breakdown

Expense Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Notes
Rent (1BR Average)	$1,071	Can range from $900 in older buildings to $1,400+ for luxury.
Utilities (Electric, Gas, Internet)	$180	Varies by season; lakefront can be windier/cooler.
Groceries	$400	Competitive prices at local chains (Pick 'n Save, Woodman's).
Transportation	$300	Assumes a car payment/insurance. Public transit (KTC) is limited.
Health Insurance	$400	If not fully covered by employer.
Misc/Entertainment	$800	Dining, streaming, hobbies, savings.
Total Estimated Expenses	$3,151
Monthly Surplus	$2,584

Can They Afford to Buy a Home?

Yes, absolutely. This is one of Kenosha’s biggest draws for professionals. With a monthly surplus of over $2,500, a developer here can seriously consider homeownership.

• Median Home Price (Kenosha County): ~$280,000 - $320,000.
• Down Payment (20%): $56,000 - $64,000.
• Estimated Monthly Mortgage (at 6.5%): $1,400 - $1,600 (including property tax and insurance).

A developer with a few years of savings could comfortably put 10-15% down and still have a manageable mortgage payment well within their budget. This long-term investment is a key advantage over renting in more expensive metros.

Where the Jobs Are: Kenosha's Major Employers

Kenosha’s tech ecosystem is a blend of old-school manufacturing, healthcare, education, and a growing number of digital agencies and tech service providers. You won’t find Google or Meta here, but you’ll find stable, meaningful work.

1. Jockey International: A global apparel giant headquartered in Kenosha. Their in-house IT team manages e-commerce, internal systems, and digital marketing platforms. Hiring Trend: Steady. They need developers who understand their complex CMS and ERP integrations.
2. Aurora Health Care (now Advocate Aurora Health): A massive regional healthcare provider with multiple facilities in Kenosha. Their IT department is large, focusing on patient portals, data security, and internal applications. Hiring Trend: Strong and consistent. Healthcare tech is recession-resistant.
3. University of Wisconsin-Parkside: The local university has an IT department and often hires developers for its public-facing website, student portals, and administrative systems. Hiring Trend: Moderate. Often hires contractors for specific projects.
4. M & M Product Company: A long-standing manufacturer with a growing need for digital transformation. Their web team supports B2B sales platforms and supply chain tools. Hiring Trend: Emerging. A sign of traditional industries modernizing.
5. Kenosha County Government: The county and city governments maintain public-facing websites and citizen service portals. Hiring Trend: Slow but steady. Public sector jobs offer excellent benefits and job security.
6. Local Digital Agencies (e.g., Webstix, 121 Web Design): Several small-to-medium agencies serve local and regional businesses. Hiring Trend: Project-based. Great for portfolio building and learning diverse tech stacks.
7. Comcast (Corporate): While not headquartered here, Comcast has a significant operational presence in Kenosha County, with roles in network operations and digital services. Hiring Trend: Selective but competitive.

Insider Tip: Many Kenosha developers also work remotely for companies in Milwaukee and Chicago. The 30-60 minute commute to these larger markets is a viable option, and remote work has exploded, making Kenosha a perfect home base for a hybrid or fully remote role.

Getting Licensed in WI

This is the easiest part: You do not need a state license to be a Web Developer in Wisconsin.

Unlike fields like nursing, law, or engineering, there is no mandatory state licensing board for software or web development. Your credentials are your portfolio, your GitHub, and your experience.

However, here are some relevant certifications and timelines that can boost your hireability:

• CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ or A+: Good for foundational knowledge. Cost: ~$250. Timeline: 1-3 months of study.
• AWS Certified Developer - Associate: Highly valuable for cloud-focused roles. Cost: ~$150. Timeline: 2-4 months of hands-on study.
• Certified ScrumMaster (CSM): Excellent for developers moving into project management or Agile teams. Cost: ~$1,000 (includes course). Timeline: 2-day course + exam.
• State-Specific Note: While not a license, if you plan to work with government or healthcare contracts, a background check is standard. The Wisconsin Department of Justice handles these. Cost: ~$50-$75. Timeline: 1-2 weeks.

Best Neighborhoods for Web Developers

Where you live in Kenosha will impact your commute, lifestyle, and rent. Here’s a breakdown of top areas.

1. Downtown / Harbor District: The heart of the city. Walkable to shops, restaurants, and Lake Michigan. Ideal for those who want a vibrant, urban feel without big-city prices. Commute: Walk/bike to most downtown employers. Rent Estimate: $1,100 - $1,500/month (for modern loft-style apartments).
2. Somers (North of the city): A quieter, suburban area that’s growing quickly. Good mix of single-family homes and new apartment complexes. Close to I-94 for commuting to Milwaukee. Commute: 10-15 minutes to downtown Kenosha; 35-45 minutes to Milwaukee. Rent Estimate: $950 - $1,250/month (for 1BR apartments).
3. Pleasant Prairie (South of the city): Family-oriented, with excellent schools and newer housing developments. Home to the massive Pleasant Prairie Premium Outlets. Commute: 10-20 minutes to downtown Kenosha. Rent Estimate: $1,000 - $1,300/month.
4. Bristol (West of the city): A small-town feel with a lower cost of living. Popular for those who want more space and don’t mind a longer commute. Commute: 20-25 minutes to downtown Kenosha. Rent Estimate: $850 - $1,100/month.
5. University District (near UW-Parkside): Popular with younger professionals and university staff. Affordable rentals, including multi-bedroom units perfect for roommates. Commute: 5-10 minutes to most city employers. Rent Estimate: $900 - $1,200/month.

The Long Game: Career Growth

A Web Developer’s career in Kenosha is what you make of it. The local market rewards specialization and proactivity.

Specialty Premiums:

• Full-Stack Development: Essential for most mid-to-senior roles. No premium, it’s the baseline.
• E-commerce (Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento): +10-15% Salary Premium. Critical for employers like Jockey and local retailers.
• Healthcare Tech (HIPAA-compliant systems): +10-20% Salary Premium. A major advantage for roles at Aurora.
• DevOps / Cloud Engineering (AWS, Azure): +15-25% Salary Premium. The highest-demand skill in the region. Can push salaries well above the median.

Advancement Paths:

• Senior Developer → Tech Lead: Focus on architecture and mentoring.
• Developer → Project Manager: Requires strong communication and Agile/Scrum skills.
• Developer → Freelancer/Consultant: Build a client base locally and remotely. Kenosha’s low overhead makes this viable.
• Specialist → Entrepreneur: Start a niche agency serving Kenosha’s industrial or healthcare sectors.

10-Year Outlook (16% Growth):
The projection is positive. Growth will come from two sources: 1) Traditional Kenosha manufacturers and healthcare providers continuing their digital transformation, and 2) The ripple effect from Milwaukee’s tech scene, as companies look for talent in more affordable markets. Developers who stay current with modern frameworks (React, Vue, Node.js) and cloud technologies will see the most opportunity.

The Verdict: Is Kenosha Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Very affordable cost of living. Your salary goes far.	Smaller job market means fewer choices at any given time.
Growing tech job market (16% 10-yr growth).	Limited "big tech" or startup culture compared to major hubs.
Proximity to Milwaukee/Chicago for remote work or occasional commuting.	Public transportation is limited; a car is almost a necessity.
Lake Michigan lifestyle. Beaches, parks, and a relaxed vibe.	Winters are long and can be harsh (lake-effect snow).
Strong potential for homeownership.	Networking events are smaller and less frequent.
Stable employers in healthcare, manufacturing, and government.	Tech salary ceiling is lower than in coastal cities.

Final Recommendation

Kenosha is an excellent choice for:

• Early to mid-career developers looking to build a strong portfolio and savings.
• Developers from expensive coastal cities seeking a lower cost of living without a drastic drop in lifestyle.
• Professionals who value work-life balance and outdoor activities (especially lake life).
• Those who are open to a hybrid or remote role for a Milwaukee/Chicago company but want to live in a more affordable city.

Think twice if:

• You are a senior engineer seeking a FAANG-level salary and culture.
• You want a bustling, 24/7 tech startup ecosystem.
• You rely heavily on public transportation.
• You strongly dislike cold winters.

The Bottom Line: Kenosha offers a compelling value proposition. For a web developer earning the median $90,830, the ability to afford a home, build savings, and enjoy a scenic lakeside community is a tangible advantage. The job market is real and growing, but it requires a more proactive and patient approach than larger metros. If you’re a self-starter who can tap into the remote-work trend and specialize in high-demand areas, Kenosha can be a fantastic place to launch and sustain a fulfilling tech career.

FAQs

Q: Is it easy to find remote work while living in Kenosha?
A: Yes, increasingly so. Many developers in Kenosha work remotely for companies in Milwaukee, Chicago, and even nationally. The city’s proximity to major metros and reliable internet infrastructure (including fiber in many areas) makes it a viable remote-work hub. It’s a common strategy to live in Kenosha for the low cost of living while earning a higher city salary.

Q: How competitive is the local job market for a junior developer?
A: Moderately competitive. There are fewer entry-level roles than in larger cities, but the competition is also less intense. Your best strategy is to build a strong portfolio with local projects (e.g., volunteer for a local non-profit’s website) and network at Milwaukee-area tech meetups. Many Kenosha employers hire juniors from local universities or those who have completed bootcamps.

Q: What is the tech community like in Kenosha?
A: It’s small but tight-knit. There are occasional meetups (often hosted by UW-Parkside or local co-working spaces), and the community is active on platforms like LinkedIn. For a more vibrant scene, you’ll likely need to connect with Milwaukee’s larger tech community (e.g., Milwaukee DevOps, Milwaukee .NET User Group), which is a manageable drive away.

Q: Do I need a car to live and work in Kenosha?
A: Almost certainly, yes. While the downtown area is walkable, most employers (like Jockey, Aurora, and industrial parks) are spread out and not easily accessible by public transit. The Kenosha Transit (KTC) system exists but has limited routes and frequency. A car provides essential flexibility for commuting and exploring the region.

Q: What’s the weather like, and how does it affect work?
A: Kenosha has a true four-season climate. Summers are beautiful and mild, perfect for lake activities. Winters, however, are long and can be snowy, with temperatures often below freezing from December through March. While this rarely impacts office work (most are prepared with plowed roads), it can affect commutes. Remote work days are especially appreciated during snowstorms.