The Web Developer's Guide to Round Rock, TX

I’ve been watching the tech scene in Round Rock for nearly two decades. It’s not Austin—thank God—but it’s where a lot of people who work in Austin choose to live. If you’re a web developer looking for that sweet spot of opportunity, affordability, and a bit of breathing room, you’re looking in the right place. This guide is for you. We’re going to break down the dollars, the neighborhoods, and the real day-to-day life here.

The Salary Picture: Where Round Rock Stands

Let’s cut to the chase. Web development is a solid career here, but it’s not the Silicon Valley gold rush. The data tells a clear story of stability and a cost of living that hasn’t completely spiraled out of control like its neighbor to the south.

The median salary for a Web Developer in Round Rock is $92,082/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $44.27/hour. This is virtually identical to the national average of $92,750/year, meaning you’re not taking a pay cut to be here. The metro area (which includes Round Rock and much of the broader Williamson County) has about 263 current openings for web developers, and the 10-year job growth projection is a healthy 16%. That’s a sign of a mature, resilient market.

Here’s how that breaks down by experience:

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range (Round Rock)	Key Responsibilities
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)	$65,000 - $78,000	Front-end basic development, bug fixes, working under senior devs.
Mid-Level (3-5 yrs)	$80,000 - $105,000	Full-stack capabilities, independent project work, framework proficiency.
Senior (5-10 yrs)	$100,000 - $130,000	System architecture, mentoring, leading significant projects.
Expert/Lead (10+ yrs)	$125,000+	Tech stack decisions, team management, cross-department collaboration.

Compared to other Texas cities:

• Austin: Expect a 10-15% premium for similar roles, but the cost of living (especially housing) is exponentially higher. The commute from Round Rock to Austin can be a brutal 30-90 minutes depending on traffic, so that premium gets eaten up quickly.
• Dallas/Fort Worth: Salaries are comparable, if not slightly higher. The market is larger, but the sprawl is immense. Round Rock offers a more focused suburban tech ecosystem.
• San Antonio: Salaries are generally 5-10% lower, and the tech ecosystem is smaller, though growing. It’s a different market focused more on cybersecurity and military contracting.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

A $92,082 salary sounds great, but let’s get real about what it means in your bank account. In Texas, there is no state income tax, which is a significant boost. For a single filer in 2024, federal taxes will take a substantial chunk, but you keep more of each paycheck than in states like California or New York.

Here’s a realistic monthly budget breakdown for a Web Developer earning the median salary:

Category	Estimated Cost	Notes & Local Insight
Monthly Take-Home Pay	~$5,700	After federal taxes (approx. 12%), insurance, and 401(k) contribution (5%).
Rent (1BR Average)	-$1,635	The citywide average. More on specific neighborhoods below.
Utilities (Electric, Water, Internet)	-$250	Higher in summer due to AC costs. Most areas have good ISP options like AT&T Fiber.
Groceries & Household	-$450	HEB is the dominant grocer and is generally affordable.
Car Payment & Insurance	-$450	Essential. Round Rock is not a walkable city. Car insurance is higher in TX due to weather events.
Gas & Commute	-$180	Even if you work hybrid, weekend trips and errands add up.
Health Insurance (if not covered)	-$350	Varies widely, but this is a decent estimate for a mid-tier plan.
Miscellaneous (Dining, Entertainment)	-$500	You can spend less, but this allows for a social life.
Remaining Savings/Debt	~$1,885	This is your buffer for student loans, aggressive savings, or investing.

Can they afford to buy a home?
The median home price in Round Rock is around $425,000. With the budget above, you’d need to significantly reduce other expenses (like car payments or discretionary spending) to save for a down payment. However, using the $1,885 monthly surplus, you could save $22,620 in a year. A 10% down payment on a $425,000 home is $42,500. It’s a 2-3 year goal for a disciplined saver, which is far more achievable than in Austin. Many developers here buy homes in their 4th or 5th year of work.

Where the Jobs Are: Round Rock's Major Employers

The job market here is a hybrid of local tech firms, large enterprise offices, and Austin-based companies with Round Rock satellite offices. The commute to Austin is a filter; many choose to work closer to home.

1. Dell Technologies: The elephant in the room. Their massive Round Rock campus is a constant source of opportunity. While they hire for hardware and enterprise software, their web development needs are significant for their e-commerce, customer portals, and internal tools. Hiring trend is steady but competitive; they favor candidates with experience in large-scale systems.
2. Round Rock ISD: The school district is a major employer and has a growing need for web developers to manage student/family portals, internal communication sites, and educational platforms. It offers great stability, benefits, and a pension plan, though salaries may be at the lower end of the mid-level range.
3. St. David’s HealthCare (Round Rock Medical Center): Part of the HCA Healthcare system, their digital health portals and patient-facing apps require skilled web developers. This is a growing niche (health tech) with stable demand.
4. Local Web Agencies & Boutique Firms: Firms like The J2 Group and On-Target! (based in nearby Austin but serving local clients) often hire for project-based work. These are great for portfolio building and learning diverse stacks. Hiring is often project-driven.
5. Remote-First Companies with Local Hubs: Many Austin-based startups (e.g., Indeed, Kendra Scott) have opened satellite offices in the Round Rock/Georgetown corridor to tap into the talent pool without the Austin cost. They often offer Austin-level salaries with a shorter commute (if you drive against traffic or live nearby).
6. Retail Tech (Target, Walmart): Both have large fulfillment or office centers in the region and hire for e-commerce and internal tool development. The work is often on larger, legacy systems but offers excellent resume credibility.

Insider Tip: The best way to find these roles isn't just LinkedIn. Attend Austin Digital Jobs meetups (many are hybrid/virtual) and Capital Factory events. Round Rock’s tech scene is deeply connected to Austin’s. Also, check the City of Round Rock’s career page—they occasionally post for their IT department.

Getting Licensed in TX

For web development, there is no state-specific license required to practice. Texas does not have a professional licensing board for web developers, unlike architects or engineers. A formal degree or certification is not mandated by law; your portfolio and skills are what matter.

However, there are costs and timelines to consider for your career development:

• Education: A Bachelor's in Computer Science or a bootcamp certification are the common paths.
  • University (e.g., Texas State, UT Austin): 4 years, cost ~$40,000-$100,000+.
  • Bootcamp (e.g., UT Austin Extension, General Assembly): 3-6 months, cost ~$10,000-$15,000.
  • Timeline: From zero to job-ready is typically 6 months to 1 year with intensive study.
• Certifications: While not required, they boost your resume. Consider:
  • AWS Certified Developer or Google Cloud Associate: Takes 2-3 months of study. Exam cost: ~$100-$150.
  • Front-End Frameworks (React, Vue): Official meta (React) or community certifications. Cost: ~$0-$200.
• Getting Started: The fastest path to a job in Round Rock is to build a portfolio with 2-3 solid projects (e.g., a local business website, a small application) and apply for junior roles or internships around town. The market values demonstrable skill over paper credentials.

Best Neighborhoods for Web Developers

Your choice of neighborhood will dictate your commute, lifestyle, and rent. Round Rock is a patchwork of older suburbs and newer master-planned communities.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Avg. 1BR Rent	Why It's Good for Devs
Round Rock Downtown	Walkable, historic, small-town feel. 10-15 min drive to most local employers.	$1,400 - $1,600	Proximity to local cafes (like Cornerstone) for remote work. Easy access to I-35. Feels like a community.
Teravista	Modern, master-planned. 15-20 min to Dell. Family-oriented but has young professionals.	$1,500 - $1,750	Great amenities (golf, pools), newer infrastructure. Slightly longer commute to Austin, but better for a quiet home office.
Forest Creek	Established, wooded, with a community pool and tennis. 15 min to Dell, 25 min to Austin.	$1,600 - $1,850	Mature landscaping, quiet streets. Popular with families of professionals. Good for biking/running.
The Oaks at Round Rock	Newer apartments and townhomes. Adjacent to major shopping and restaurants.	$1,650 - $1,900	Ultimate convenience. Walking distance to groceries, coffee shops, and bars. Perfect for those who don't want to drive for every errand.

Insider Tip: Look for apartments or homes north of I-35. The traffic on I-35 is notoriously bad, and crossing it daily for work can add 15-30 minutes to your commute. Living north of the interstate puts you on the side of most major employers (Dell, the hospital, the school district) and makes the drive to Austin against rush hour traffic much easier.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Round Rock is a "settle down" market. You can build a long, stable career here, but you need to be strategic about growth to avoid stagnation.

• Specialty Premiums:

  • Full-Stack Development (especially with React/Node.js): The most in-demand skill. Can command a $10k-$15k premium over front-end only.
  • DevOps/Cloud Engineering (AWS/Azure): As companies move to the cloud, these skills are fetching a $15k-$20k+ premium. This is a smart pivot for any web dev.
  • Accessibility (a11y) & UI/UX: Niche but growing, especially in healthcare and education. Can set you apart in a crowded market.

• Advancement Paths:

  1. Individual Contributor: Senior Developer -> Staff Engineer -> Principal Engineer. This path maximizes technical influence without managerial duties.
  2. Management: Tech Lead -> Engineering Manager -> Director of Engineering. This often requires moving to larger companies or relocating to Austin for leadership roles at tech HQs.
  3. Consulting/Freelancing: A strong path in Round Rock. Local businesses need web work but can't afford full-time hires. You can build a client base and earn more than a salaried position, but with less stability.

• 10-Year Outlook: The 16% job growth projection is promising. The move towards remote work benefits Round Rock, as you can work for a national company from here. However, the highest-paying leadership roles will likely remain concentrated in Austin. Your 10-year plan should involve either becoming a top-tier specialist in Round Rock or positioning yourself for a remote leadership role.

The Verdict: Is Round Rock Right for You?

Pros	Cons
High Quality of Life: Excellent schools, low crime in most areas, and abundant parks (like Chisholm Trail).	Car-Dependent City: You will drive everywhere. Public transit is minimal.
Affordability (Relative): You can buy a home here on a developer's salary. Rent is manageable.	Traffic on I-35: The commute to Austin can be a dealbreaker. Rush hour is real.
Stable Job Market: Less volatile than a pure startup scene. Good for long-term planning.	Limited "Hustle" Culture: Fewer networking events, meetups, and startups compared to Austin.
Proximity to Austin: You get the city's amenities (concerts, airport, top-tier restaurants) without the housing cost.	Less Urban Core: If you crave a dense, walkable city vibe, you'll be disappointed.

Final Recommendation:
Round Rock is an excellent choice for mid-career and senior web developers looking to buy a home, start a family, and build financial stability without sacrificing access to a major tech hub. It’s not ideal for early-career developers who thrive on the intense networking and startup energy of a dense urban core like Austin. If you value space, community, and a sensible commute over nightlife, Round Rock is one of the best places in Texas to be a web developer.

FAQs

Q: Can I survive in Round Rock without a car?
A: No, not practically. While you could technically bike or use rideshare to a local office, the city is designed for cars. Public transportation is limited to a few bus routes. A reliable car is a necessity.

Q: How bad is the Austin commute really?
A: If you work in downtown Austin and live in Round Rock, plan for 45-90 minutes each way during peak hours (7-9 AM, 4-6 PM). Reverse commutes (Round Rock to Austin in the AM) are shorter, which is why many Round Rock residents work in Austin. Traffic on I-35 is often compared to a parking lot.

Q: Are there good co-working spaces in Round Rock?
A: Options are more limited than in Austin. The Round Rock Public Library has a great, free business center. For dedicated co-working, look at The Duder Center in downtown Round Rock or check if your employer offers memberships to Regus or Spaces in nearby Austin.

Q: What's the best way to network locally?
A: Join the "Round Rock Tech Professionals" or "Austin Digital Jobs" LinkedIn groups. Attend events at Capital Factory in Austin (many are now hybrid). Also, the Round Rock Chamber of Commerce has events that, while business-focused, can connect you with local companies.

Q: Is the tech scene growing or declining?
A: It's growing steadily but not explosively. The 16% projected job growth is a good sign. The growth is more in established companies expanding their digital presence rather than a flood of new startups. Stability is the keyword.