Web Developer in Lee's Summit, MO

The Salary Picture: Where Lee's Summit Stands

As a local, I’ve watched the tech scene in Lee’s Summit evolve from a quiet suburb into a genuine contender for digital talent. Let’s get straight to the numbers because they tell the real story. The median salary for a Web Developer here is $90,885/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $43.69/hour. This is slightly below the national average of $92,750/year, but don’t let that fool you. The cost of living here makes that salary go much further than it would in a coastal tech hub.

The job market is healthy but not saturated. There are approximately 208 Web Developer jobs in the metro area, with a solid 10-year job growth projection of 16%. This isn't explosive growth, but it's steady and sustainable, meaning you're less likely to face the boom-and-bust cycles common in larger tech cities.

Experience-Level Breakdown

Here’s how salary typically breaks down by experience level in the Lee’s Summit/Kansas City metro area. Note that these are estimates based on local market data and BLS trends.

Experience Level	Estimated Annual Salary	Key Local Expectations
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	$65,000 - $75,000	Strong portfolio in HTML/CSS/JS; familiarity with a framework like React or Vue; often starts at agencies or smaller local firms.
Mid-Level (3-5 years)	$80,000 - $95,000	Proven ability to work on full-stack projects; experience with backend (Node.js, Python, PHP); may lead small teams or features.
Senior-Level (6-9 years)	$95,000 - $115,000	Architecture decisions, mentoring juniors, deep expertise in a stack (e.g., MERN, Jamstack); often at larger KC-based companies.
Expert/Lead (10+ years)	$115,000 - $135,000+	Principal engineer, tech lead, or management track; may consult for local healthcare or logistics giants.

Comparison to Other MO Cities

Lee's Summit is part of the Greater Kansas City metro, which is the primary driver of tech salaries in Missouri. Here’s how it stacks up:

City	Median Salary	Key Driver
Lee's Summit	$90,885	Suburban quality of life, proximity to KC jobs.
St. Louis	~$88,000	Strong in enterprise software and edtech.
Columbia	~$78,000	University-driven market, lower demand.
Springfield	~$75,000	Smaller market, more generalist roles.

Insider Tip: While Lee's Summit's median salary is $90,885, many local developers I know live in Lee's Summit but work remotely for companies based in Kansas City's downtown or suburban corridors (like Overland Park). This allows them to command KC metro salaries while enjoying Lee's Summit's lower rent and family-friendly vibe.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s do the math for a mid-career Web Developer earning the median salary of $90,885/year.

Assumptions for this breakdown:

• Gross Annual Salary: $90,885
• Federal + FICA Taxes (est. 22% effective rate): ~$20,000
• Missouri State Taxes (est. 5.4%): ~$4,900
• Approximate Net Annual Pay: $65,985
• Approximate Net Monthly Pay: $5,498

Monthly Budget Breakdown:

Category	Estimated Cost	Notes
Rent (1BR Apt)	$886	State average. Could be lower in older parts of town.
Utilities (Elec, Gas, Internet)	$180	Varies by season. Internet is reliable with AT&T & Spectrum.
Car Payment/Insurance	$450	Lee's Summit is car-dependent; insurance is moderate.
Groceries	$400	Good local options: Price Chopper, Hy-Vee, Aldi.
Health Insurance	$250	Often partly covered by employer.
Savings/Investments	$1,000	401(k) match (common) plus personal savings.
Discretionary Spending	$2,332	Dining, entertainment, travel, etc.

Can They Afford to Buy a Home?
Absolutely. The average home price in Lee's Summit hovers around $300,000 - $350,000. With a $90,885 salary and a 20% down payment, a monthly mortgage (including taxes and insurance) would be roughly $1,600 - $1,900. This is well within the recommended 28% of gross income rule. Many developers here are homeowners by their early 30s.

Where the Jobs Are: Lee's Summit's Major Employers

The job market here is a blend of local corporate HQs, Kansas City metro giants, and a growing remote workforce. Here are the key players:

1. Commerce Bank: Headquartered in Kansas City with a major presence in Lee's Summit. They have a large, modern IT department focused on digital banking platforms. They hire for front-end, full-stack, and DevOps roles. Hiring Trend: Steady, with a focus on modernizing legacy systems.

2. Saint Luke's Health System: While headquartered in KC, their massive administrative and tech hubs are minutes from Lee's Summit. They need web developers for patient portals, internal tools, and public-facing sites. Hiring Trend: Consistent, driven by digital health initiatives.

3. Lockton Mid-America: The world's largest privately held insurance brokerage has its third-largest office in nearby Kansas City. Their tech teams build custom client portals and data visualization tools. Hiring Trend: Growing, with a push towards insurtech.

4. Garmin International: A global tech leader headquartered in Olathe, KS (a 20-minute commute). They hire web developers for internal tools, e-commerce, and marketing sites. Hiring Trend: Very active, competitive, but excellent benefits and pay.

5. Burns & McDonnell: An employee-owned engineering/architecture firm with a massive HQ in Kansas City. Their web teams support global project portals and internal collaboration tools. Hiring Trend: Strong, with a focus on security and scalability.

6. Local Agencies (e.g., VMLY&R, Barkley): These large, nationally recognized agencies have KC offices and often hire remote or hybrid Lee's Summit-based talent for client work. Hiring Trend: Project-based, but a great way to build a diverse portfolio.

7. Remote-First Companies: Many Lee's Summit developers work for companies like GitLab, Zapier, or Automattic. The local fiber internet (like Google Fiber in parts of KC) makes this a viable and high-income option.

Insider Tip: The best way to find local jobs is not just LinkedIn. Attend KC Tech Council events or Meetup.com groups like "Kansas City React Developers." Many jobs are filled through these networks before they're ever posted publicly.

Getting Licensed in MO

Good news: Missouri has no state-level licensing or certification requirements for web developers. Unlike fields like architecture or law, you don't need a state license to practice. Your "license" is your portfolio and your skills.

However, there are considerations:

• Business License: If you freelance or start your own LLC, you'll need to register with the Missouri Secretary of State and obtain a local business license from the City of Lee's Summit. Cost is typically $50-$150.
• Contracting: For tax purposes (1099 vs. W-2), consult a local accountant familiar with Missouri tax law.
• Timeline to Get Started: If you're moving for a job, you can start working immediately upon establishing residency. For freelancing, setting up an LLC can take 1-2 weeks once you have your paperwork in order.

Data Source: Missouri Secretary of State (sos.mo.gov) and the City of Lee's Summit Finance Department.

Best Neighborhoods for Web Developers

Lee's Summit is a large, spread-out city. Your choice of neighborhood will dictate your commute, lifestyle, and rent.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Rent (1BR Est.)	Best For
Historic Downtown	Walkable, charming, older homes. 15-30 min to KC employers.	$950 - $1,200	Young professionals, those who want a main-street feel.
The Village / Lakewood	Family-oriented, quiet, suburban. 20-35 min commute.	$800 - $1,000	Developers with families or who value space and peace.
East of I-470	Newer developments, modern apartments, strip malls. 15-25 min to KC.	$900 - $1,100	Convenience, easy highway access, newer amenities.
West of I-470 (near Mall)	Commercial hub, busy, less residential charm. 15-20 min to KC.	$750 - $950	Budget-conscious, short commutes to major employers.
Rural Edge	More space, larger lots, older homes. 25-40 min commute.	$700 - $900	Those who want a home office, land, and don't mind driving.

Insider Tip: If you work in downtown KC but want to live in Lee's Summit, look near I-470 and Highway 50. You can hop on I-470 and be in the Crossroads Arts District in 15 minutes, avoiding the worst of I-70 traffic.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Specialty Premiums:

• Security (DevSecOps): High demand in healthcare and finance. Can add 10-15% to your salary.
• Full-Stack with Backend (Node.js/Python): The standard for mid-to-senior roles. No major premium, but essential for advancement.
• Accessibility (a11y) & Performance: Niche but critical, especially for public-facing sites (government, healthcare). Commands a premium in specialized agencies.
• CMS Mastery (WordPress/Drupal): Still widely used, especially in marketing agencies. A reliable skill but not a high-growth specialty.

Advancement Paths:

1. Technical: Junior → Mid → Senior → Staff/Principal Engineer. Requires deepening technical skills and system design.
2. Management: Senior Dev → Tech Lead → Engineering Manager. Requires people skills and project oversight.
3. Specialist: Full-Stack → Front-End Architect, Back-End Specialist, DevOps Engineer, or UX Engineer.

10-Year Outlook (16% Growth):
The 16% growth projection is solid. The demand will come from:

• Legacy Modernization: Local giants (Cerner, Commerce) are always updating old systems.
• E-commerce & Digital Services: Post-pandemic, every local business needs a robust online presence.
• Remote Work: Lee's Summit is becoming a haven for remote tech workers, which will slowly increase local networking and collaboration opportunities.

The Verdict: Is Lee's Summit Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Affordability: Stretch your salary further than in any major metro.	Limited "Scene": Fewer meetups, hackathons, and tech events than KC proper.
Quality of Life: Excellent schools, low crime, family-friendly.	Commute Required: To the highest-paying jobs in KC proper (20-40 mins).
Stable Job Market: Steady growth, less volatility.	Can Feel Suburban: Lacks the urban energy of a downtown core.
Proximity to KC: Get KC salaries with Lee's Summit living costs.	Networking: Requires intentional effort to connect with the broader KC tech community.
Home Ownership: Very achievable on a developer's salary.	Specialist Roles: Fewer niche, cutting-edge roles compared to coastal hubs.

Final Recommendation:
Lee's Summit is an excellent choice for web developers who prioritize stability, affordability, and quality of life over being in the heart of a frenetic tech scene. It's ideal for mid-career professionals looking to buy a home, start a family, or build a serious savings rate. For those who thrive on constant networking and cutting-edge startup culture, a Kansas City core neighborhood might be a better fit. For most, however, the Lee's Summit compromise is a winning one.

FAQs

1. Do I need a car in Lee's Summit?
Yes, absolutely. Public transportation (KCATA buses) exists but is not comprehensive or efficient for daily commuting. The city is spread out, and most jobs are in suburban office parks not served by rail.

2. How's the internet speed for remote work?
Very good. Major providers like AT&T Fiber and Spectrum offer high-speed broadband in most areas. This is a key reason remote work is so viable here. Check availability for a specific address before renting.

3. Are there local coding bootcamps or continuing education?
Yes. While Lee's Summit itself doesn't have a major bootcamp, the Kansas City metro is home to several (e.g., KU Edwards Campus, Kansas City Kansas Community College, and private options). For continuing education, the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) offers relevant courses and certificates.

4. What's the tech community like? Is it easy to meet people?
It's active but requires you to put in the effort. The KC Tech Council hosts events, and there are developer-specific groups on Meetup. The best way to network is to join a local user group (e.g., for React, Python, or .NET) or attend events at partner organizations like the Kansas City Public Library (which has tech-focused programming).

5. How do taxes in Missouri compare to other states?
Missouri has a progressive income tax structure, with a top rate of 5.4% for earners above a certain threshold. It's generally considered a middle-of-the-road state for taxes—higher than some (like Tennessee with no income tax) but lower than Illinois or California. Property taxes are moderate. It's wise to consult a tax professional for your specific situation.