Web Developer in Long Beach, CA

The Salary Picture: Where Long Beach Stands

Long Beach web developers are in a solid position. The local market is competitive, with salaries that outpace the national average but also come with a higher cost of living. It's a classic California trade-off. The median salary for a web developer in the Long Beach metro area is $97,062/year. This breaks down to an hourly rate of $46.66/hour. While this is a healthy figure, it's just slightly above the national average of $92,750/year. The real story here is the job volume. The metro area supports 898 active web developer jobs, and the 10-year job growth is projected at 16%, indicating a thriving and expanding market. This isn't a saturated tech hub like San Francisco, but it's a robust, diversified economy with steady demand.

Here’s how salaries typically break down by experience level in the region:

Experience Level	Estimated Annual Salary	Key Responsibilities
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)	$65,000 - $80,000	Front-end support, bug fixes, basic UI updates under supervision.
Mid-Level (2-5 yrs)	$85,000 - $110,000	Building features independently, collaborating with designers, basic backend work.
Senior (5-8 yrs)	$115,000 - $140,000	Leading projects, architecture decisions, mentoring juniors, full-stack proficiency.
Expert/Lead (8+ yrs)	$145,000+	Tech lead, system architecture, cross-department strategy, specialized skills.

When you stack Long Beach up against other major California cities, the context becomes clear. You won't find San Francisco salaries ($140,000+ median), but you also won't face San Francisco's astronomical rents. It's a more balanced market. For example, the Los Angeles metro (which includes Long Beach) has a similar median, but Long Beach offers a distinct coastal lifestyle that many find more appealing. Compared to inland hubs like San Diego ($95,000 median) or Sacramento ($88,000), Long Beach is competitive, especially given its proximity to the massive Southern California tech and entertainment ecosystem. Insider Tip: Many local developers work remotely for LA or SF companies while living in Long Beach, leveraging the salary bump without the commute or cost.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let's get real about the numbers. A median salary of $97,062 sounds great, but California taxes and coastal rents take a significant bite. Here’s a practical monthly budget breakdown for a single web developer earning the median salary, living in a 1-bedroom apartment.

Monthly Budget Breakdown (Pre-Tax & Post-Tax)

• Gross Monthly Pay: $97,062 / 12 = $8,088
• Estimated Deductions (CA Taxes, FICA, Health Insurance): ~28% = $2,265
• Net Take-Home Pay: $5,823

Monthly Expenses

• Rent (1BR, Average): $2,006
• Utilities (Electric, Gas, Internet): $150 - $250
• Groceries: $400 - $500
• Transportation (Car Insurance, Gas, Maintenance): $350 - $500 (Long Beach is car-centric)
• Health Insurance (Employer Plan): $100 - $300 (if not fully covered)
• Discretionary (Entertainment, Dining, Savings, Debt): Remainder (~$1,600 - $2,100)

This budget allows for comfortable living with room for savings, but it's tight for building substantial wealth or saving for a down payment quickly. The Cost of Living Index is 115.5 (US avg = 100), meaning everything is 15.5% more expensive than the national average. Housing is the primary driver of this index.

Can you afford to buy a home? In the current market, it's challenging on a single median income. The median home price in Long Beach is approximately $750,000. A 20% down payment is $150,000. A monthly mortgage, taxes, and insurance on a $600,000 loan would exceed $3,800, which is well beyond a comfortable 30% of take-home pay for a median earner. Insider Tip: Many local developers purchase in more affordable inland neighborhoods like North Long Beach or look to neighboring cities like Lakewood or Cerritos for better value. Dual-income households are the most common path to homeownership here.

Where the Jobs Are: Long Beach's Major Employers

Long Beach's tech scene isn't defined by a single giant (like Google or Apple), but by a diverse mix of industries that all need web developers. This diversity provides stability and a wide range of opportunities.

1. Long Beach Memorial Medical Center & St. Mary Medical Center: Healthcare is a massive employer. Their IT departments are always hiring for web developers to manage patient portals, internal systems, and public-facing websites. These roles often require knowledge of HIPAA compliance and security.
2. The Boeing Company (Long Beach Operations): While known for aerospace engineering, Boeing's digital transformation teams need web developers for internal tools, data visualization dashboards, and supplier portals. These are stable, high-paying jobs often requiring security clearances.
3. California State University, Long Beach (CSULB): The university is a constant source of tech jobs. From the central IT department to specific college websites (like the College of Engineering), there are roles for developers specializing in CMS platforms like Drupal or WordPress, as well as custom web applications for student services.
4. Torrance Memorial Medical Center: Located just south of Long Beach in the South Bay, this is a major regional employer with a growing digital health presence, offering similar opportunities as Long Beach Memorial.
5. Local Digital Agencies & Startups: Long Beach has a growing scene of boutique agencies and startups, particularly in the creative and e-commerce sectors. Companies like The James Agency (though based in Phoenix, they serve local clients) and local firms like Mighty Eight Media or Web Design LA often hire for contract and full-stack roles. Insider Tip: These smaller firms offer rapid growth but may have less stability than large corporations.
6. City of Long Beach Government: The city's IT department hires developers to maintain and improve the official city website, digital citizen services, and internal applications. These jobs offer excellent benefits and pension plans.

Hiring Trends: There's a strong demand for full-stack developers who can handle both front-end (React, Vue.js) and back-end (Node.js, Python/Django, PHP) work. Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure) and DevOps practices is increasingly a differentiator, even for mid-level roles.

Getting Licensed in CA

For web development, the good news is that there is no state-specific license required to practice as a web developer in California. The industry is primarily credential-driven by your portfolio, experience, and technical skills.

However, there are important considerations:

• Business License: If you plan to work as a freelance contractor or start your own business, you must obtain a business license from the City of Long Beach. The cost is nominal (around $50-$150 annually) but is a legal requirement.
• Professional Certifications: While not mandatory, certifications can boost your resume. Popular choices include the AWS Certified Developer or Google Associate Cloud Engineer. Cloud skills are a premium specialty in the local market.
• Timeline: There is no formal "timeline" to get started. You can begin applying for jobs immediately if you have a strong portfolio. For those building skills from scratch, a 6-month to 2-year timeline for intensive learning (through bootcamps like General Assembly or self-study) is common before landing a first role.

Best Neighborhoods for Web Developers

Choosing a neighborhood in Long Beach is about balancing commute, lifestyle, and budget. Here are the top picks for developers:

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	1BR Rent Estimate	Best For
Downtown Long Beach	Urban, walkable, artsy, close to many offices & coworking spaces. Easy commute via bus/trolley.	$2,100 - $2,500	Young professionals who want a vibrant, car-optional lifestyle.
Belmont Shore	Beachy, relaxed, with a main street of shops and restaurants. Commute to Downtown is short, but LA is a longer drive.	$2,200 - $2,600	Those who prioritize a coastal, community feel and don't mind a commute.
Bixby Knolls	Trendy, family-friendly, with great local eateries and a strong sense of community. Central location.	$1,900 - $2,200	Mid-career developers looking for a balance of urban and suburban.
East Village (Alamitos Beach)	A quieter, more residential pocket near the beach, with a mix of old apartments and new condos.	$1,800 - $2,100	Developers seeking a peaceful neighborhood that's still close to the city core.
North Long Beach	More affordable, diverse, and rapidly developing. Commutes are longer unless you work in the north part of the city.	$1,500 - $1,900	First-time renters or those prioritizing budget and space over immediate proximity.

Insider Tip: Traffic on the 710 and 405 freeways is notoriously bad. If you land a job in the South Bay or LA, living near a freeway entrance in North Long Beach or Bixby Knolls can save you significant commute stress.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Long Beach is an excellent place to build a long-term career. The 16% 10-year job growth suggests a healthy future. To maximize your earnings and trajectory, focus on these specialties:

• Full-Stack Mastery: Being proficient in both front-end and back-end frameworks (e.g., React + Node.js) makes you invaluable for small to mid-sized companies.
• Cloud & DevOps: With employers like Boeing and healthcare systems, knowledge of AWS, Azure, and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes) is a huge premium. This can add 15-25% to your salary.
• Specialized Industries: Gaining domain knowledge in healthcare (HIPAA), aerospace (security, data standards), or education (LMS systems) makes you a specialist and less replaceable.
• Management Track: After 8-10 years, moving into a Tech Lead or Engineering Manager role at a local firm or a larger LA-based company is a natural progression, with salaries often exceeding $160,000.

The 10-year outlook is positive. As the coastal economy continues to evolve, the need for digital transformation will only grow. Long Beach's strategic location between LA and Orange County means you can tap into both massive job markets without the full cost of living in either.

The Verdict: Is Long Beach Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Strong, Diverse Job Market: 898 jobs and 16% growth offer stability.	High Cost of Living: Rent is $2,006 and the COL index is 115.5.
Competitive Salary: $97,062 median is above the national average.	Competitive Housing Market: Buying a home is difficult on a single median income.
Ideal Location: Proximity to LA/OC tech hubs without the chaos.	Traffic: Freeway commutes can be grueling and time-consuming.
Quality of Life: Unbeatable coastal access, parks, and a unique cultural vibe.	No "Tech Hub" Vibe: Less networking density and fewer high-profile startups than SF.
Career Growth: Pathways to specialize and advance in stable industries.	State Taxes: High income and sales taxes reduce net take-home pay.

Final Recommendation: Long Beach is an excellent choice for web developers who value quality of life alongside career opportunities. It's ideal for those who are mid-career (3-10 years of experience), seeking a less frantic pace than SF or LA, and who enjoy a coastal environment. It's a challenging market for entry-level developers due to rent, but excellent for those who can command a salary near or above the median. If you're looking for a balanced, sustainable career with room to grow in a vibrant community, Long Beach is a compelling contender.

FAQs

1. Do I need a car in Long Beach?
Yes, for most practical purposes. While the downtown area is walkable and the public transit system (LB Transit) is decent, the city is spread out. To commute to employers like Boeing, CSULB, or most suburban neighborhoods, a car is essential. Budget $350-$500 monthly for car expenses.

2. How does the tech scene compare to Los Angeles?
Long Beach's scene is more niche and industry-focused (healthcare, aerospace, education), while LA's is more diverse (entertainment, e-commerce, ad tech). Long Beach offers easier access to LA jobs (a 30-60 minute commute) with a lower cost of living, making it a strategic base for the broader metro market.

3. Is the job market good for remote work?
Yes, increasingly so. The pandemic accelerated remote work adoption, and many local companies now offer hybrid or fully remote options. This allows you to work for companies in higher-paying markets (like SF or NYC) while living in Long Beach, effectively stretching your $97,062 salary further.

4. What's the best way to network locally?
Attend events at the Long Beach Tech Meetup group on Meetup.com, visit The Foundry or Spaces coworking offices for casual networking, and connect with alumni from CSULB's Computer Engineering/Computer Science programs. The community is tight-knit and supportive.

5. Will my salary increase significantly with experience?
Yes. Moving from Entry-Level ($65k-$80k) to Mid-Level ($85k-$110k) is the biggest jump. Senior and Expert roles ($115k+) require deep specialization or leadership skills. The 16% job growth indicates strong demand, which should continue to push salaries upward for skilled developers.