Web Developer in Moore, OK

As a career analyst who’s lived in Central Oklahoma for years, I’ve watched Moore transform from a quiet suburb into a tech-adjacent hub. It’s not Silicon Valley, but for web developers seeking a lower cost of living and a slower pace without sacrificing opportunity, Moore presents a compelling case. This guide isn’t about selling you on the city; it’s about giving you the hard data and local insights to decide if it’s the right move for your career and wallet.

The Salary Picture: Where Moore Stands

Let’s start with the numbers that matter most. For web developers in Moore, the median salary sits at $90,245/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $43.39/hour. This is slightly below the national average for web developers, which is $92,750/year, but the difference is negligible when you factor in Moore’s exceptional affordability.

The local job market, while not massive, is stable. There are currently about 126 web developer jobs in the broader metro area (including Moore, Norman, and south OKC). Over the last decade, the field has seen a solid 10-Year Job Growth of 16%, indicating consistent demand, especially for developers who can handle full-stack responsibilities.

Your earning potential in Moore will heavily depend on your experience level. Here’s a realistic breakdown based on local job postings and industry chatter:

Experience Level	Typical Years	Estimated Salary Range (Moore)	Key Responsibilities
Entry-Level	0-2 years	$60,000 - $75,000	Basic front-end work (HTML/CSS/JS), content updates, bug fixes. Often under a senior dev.
Mid-Level	2-5 years	$80,000 - $100,000	Full front-end or back-end development, API integration, project ownership.
Senior-Level	5-10 years	$100,000 - $125,000	Full-stack development, system architecture, mentoring junior devs, leading projects.
Expert/Lead	10+ years	$125,000+	Team leadership, CTO-level strategy, specialized expertise (e.g., security, performance).

Insider Tip: The biggest salary jumps in Moore come from moving from a dedicated front-end or back-end role to a full-stack position. Companies here, especially mid-sized agencies and local enterprises, highly value developers who can manage both sides of the stack.

How Moore Compares to Other Oklahoma Cities:

• Oklahoma City: Slightly higher median salary (~$95,000), but with a 12% higher cost of living and significantly longer commute times from the suburbs.
• Tulsa: Similar salary range to Moore, but with a less dense tech scene. Moore’s proximity to the OKC metro gives it an edge in job variety.
• Norman: Home to the University of Oklahoma, Norman has more entry-level and contract roles, but median salaries are typically 5-10% lower than in Moore due to the student labor pool.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

The $90,245 median salary is a gross figure. Let’s break down what a web developer earning this amount can actually expect in Moore, OK.

Estimated Monthly Take-Home (After Taxes):
Assuming a single filer with standard deductions, federal and state taxes (OK has a progressive income tax), and FICA, your take-home pay will be approximately $5,400 - $5,600/month.

Monthly Budget Breakdown (for a single person):

• Rent (1BR Apartment): $773 (city average)
• Utilities (Electric, Water, Internet): $180 - $220
• Groceries: $300 - $400
• Car Payment/Insurance/Gas: $400 - $600 (Moore is car-dependent)
• Health Insurance (if not employer-paid): $250 - $400
• Miscellaneous (Dining, Entertainment, Savings): $800 - $1,200
• Total Estimated Expenses: $2,703 - $3,193

This leaves a healthy surplus of $2,207 - $2,697/month for savings, investments, or aggressive debt repayment. The key here is housing. At the median salary, you can comfortably afford a $773/month 1BR apartment and still have significant financial flexibility.

Can They Afford to Buy a Home?
Yes, absolutely. The median home price in Moore is around $210,000 - $230,000. With a $90,245 salary, a 20% down payment ($42,000 - $46,000) is achievable with disciplined saving for 2-3 years. A 30-year mortgage at current rates (6.5%) would result in a monthly payment (including taxes and insurance) of roughly $1,600 - $1,750. This is higher than rent but still manageable at **28%** of your gross income, well within standard guidelines. Many developers in Moore choose to buy in neighborhoods like South Moore or Journey for more space and a quieter setting.

Where the Jobs Are: Moore's Major Employers

Moore’s tech employment is a mix of local agencies, remote roles for national companies, and in-house developers at larger regional businesses. You won’t find Google or Amazon headquarters here, but there are steady opportunities.

1. Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores (Corporate HQ in OKC, but major presence): While technically in south OKC, Love’s is a massive employer for the entire metro. Their corporate IT and web teams often look for developers with experience in e-commerce, logistics systems, and internal tools. Their Moore-adjacent locations mean local candidates are preferred.
2. Moore Norman Technology Center (MNTC): This vocational school employs web developers for their public-facing site and internal learning management systems. It’s a great entry point with a focus on educational tech.
3. Local Digital Marketing Agencies: Firms like Redbird Marketing (based in Norman, serving Moore) and OKC Web Design companies frequently hire contractors or full-time developers for client websites. These roles often involve WordPress, Shopify, and custom Laravel builds.
4. Regional Banks & Credit Unions: Institutions like Tinker Federal Credit Union and OKC-based banks have a constant need for web developers to maintain secure online banking portals and mobile-responsive sites.
5. Healthcare Systems: Norman Regional Health System (serving Moore) and INTEGRIS Health (with facilities nearby) employ developers for patient portals, telehealth platforms, and internal dashboards. These roles often require knowledge of HIPAA compliance.
6. Remote-First Companies: A growing trend. Many Moore-based developers work remotely for companies in Austin, Denver, or Silicon Valley while enjoying the local cost of living. Job boards like We Work Remotely and Remote OK are key here.

Hiring Trends: The demand is strongest for developers who are proficient in modern JavaScript frameworks (React, Vue), have experience with headless CMS platforms (Contentful, Prismic), and understand basic DevOps (Docker, CI/CD). Full-stack roles are more common than pure front-end or back-end.

Getting Licensed in OK

For web development, there is no state-required license to practice in Oklahoma. You do not need a state-issued certification to write code or build websites.

However, there are professional certifications that can boost your employability and salary potential:

• CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ and Security+: Valuable for developers working on secure applications, especially in finance or healthcare.
• AWS Certified Developer / Google Cloud Associate: Increasingly sought after as companies move to cloud infrastructure.
• Cost: Certification exams range from $300 - $500 each. Study materials can add $100 - $300.
• Timeline: You can prepare for and obtain a foundational certification in 4-8 weeks of part-time study.

Insider Tip: While not a license, joining local groups like OKC Web Developers (a Meetup group) or the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits (for networking) is crucial. In Moore, your reputation and network often matter more than formal credentials.

Best Neighborhoods for Web Developers

Where you live in Moore affects your commute, lifestyle, and budget. Here’s a neighborhood breakdown:

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Avg. 1BR Rent	Why It’s Good for Devs
Central Moore	Walkable to local shops, older homes, 10-15 min commute to most jobs.	$700 - $850	Affordable, central location. Good for those who want to be near the action without a long drive.
South Moore	Newer subdivisions, family-oriented, 15-20 min commute.	$850 - $1,000	More space, quieter, good for remote workers who need a home office. Great parks and schools.
Journey (West Moore)	Master-planned community with trails, pools, and modern amenities. 15-25 min commute.	$900 - $1,150	Ideal for developers with families or those who value an active, community-focused lifestyle.
Moore Northeast (near I-35)	Mix of older and new homes, easy highway access for commuters to OKC.	$750 - $900	Best for those who may work in OKC or Norman. Quick access to the Thunder’s Paycom Center for events.
Downtown Norman (Adjacent)	College-town energy, more nightlife, 20-30 min commute to Moore.	$950 - $1,200	For devs who want a vibrant social scene and don’t mind a slightly longer commute.

Commute Insight: Traffic in Moore is minimal compared to major metros. The most congested area is I-35 during rush hour, but even then, a commute from south Moore to north OKC is typically 25-35 minutes.

The Long Game: Career Growth

The 10-Year Job Growth of 16% for web developers in the region is promising, but your personal growth depends on specialization.

• Specialty Premiums: Developers who specialize in e-commerce (Shopify, Magento) or healthcare IT (HL7, FHIR standards) can command salaries 10-15% above the median. DevOps and cloud architecture skills also carry a significant premium.
• Advancement Paths: The typical path is from a developer to a Senior Developer, then to a Tech Lead or Engineering Manager. In Moore, many senior developers eventually move into consulting or start their own small agencies, leveraging local business networks.
• 10-Year Outlook: Moore’s tech scene will likely grow in tandem with OKC’s, focusing on B2B software, specialized e-commerce, and fintech. Remote work will remain a major factor, allowing local developers to tap into national salary scales without leaving. The key to long-term success will be building a portfolio of local projects and maintaining a strong network within the Oklahoma City metro.

The Verdict: Is Moore Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Exceptional Cost of Living: Your salary goes much further than in coastal cities.	Limited Local Tech Giants: Few "name-brand" tech companies headquartered here.
Stable, Growing Job Market: Steady demand with 16% growth over a decade.	Car Dependency: You will need a reliable vehicle; public transit is limited.
Short Commutes: Average commute times are under 20 minutes.	Smaller Networking Pool: Fewer in-person meetups and events than in OKC proper.
Family-Friendly: Great schools, low crime, and affordable housing.	Cultural Scene: More limited than in larger cities; you'll drive to OKC for major concerts/sports.
Proximity to OKC: Easy access to a larger metro area for events and occasional work.	Weather: Tornadoes are a real seasonal risk (spring/early summer).

Final Recommendation:
Moore is an excellent choice for web developers who are early to mid-career, value financial stability, and prioritize a quiet, family-friendly environment over a bustling tech scene. It’s particularly well-suited for remote workers who want to maximize their take-home pay. If you’re a senior developer seeking a high-intensity startup culture or a vibrant nightlife scene, you may feel constrained and would likely be better off in downtown OKC or a larger metro. For most, however, Moore offers a rare combination of opportunity and affordability that’s hard to beat.

FAQs

1. What is the job interview process like in Moore?
Interviews are typically less formal than in Silicon Valley. Expect a practical coding test (often on a whiteboard or via a shared editor) and a strong focus on cultural fit. Companies want developers who are reliable, communicative, and good team players. For remote roles, the process is similar to national standards.

2. How important is a college degree in Moore?
While a degree in Computer Science or a related field is helpful, many employers in Moore prioritize a strong portfolio and demonstrable skills over formal education. Bootcamp graduates with solid projects are hired regularly, especially at digital agencies.

3. Is it feasible to work remotely for a company outside Oklahoma?
Yes, and it’s a growing trend. Moore’s low cost of living makes it attractive for remote workers earning national-level salaries. Ensure you have a reliable high-speed internet connection (AT&T Fiber and Cox are the main providers).

4. What’s the tech community like?
The tech community is smaller but tight-knit. The OKC Web Developers Meetup (~400 members) is your best bet for networking. There are also annual events like OklaMakers and OKC Tech Week that draw developers from across the state.

5. Should I be concerned about tornadoes?
It’s a valid concern. Moore is in "Tornado Alley." Most homes have storm shelters or safe rooms. Renting an apartment with a community shelter is a good idea. The key is to have a plan and stay weather-aware during severe weather season (April-June). This is a non-negotiable part of living in Central Oklahoma.