How Much Does It Cost to Hire a WordPress Developer in 2024?

In 2024, it costs $20 to $250 per hour to hire a freelance WordPress developer for your business website.

Currently, WordPress powers 43.2% of all the websites on the internet. It's still one of the most sought-after content management systems because of its versatility and development ecosystem.

So it makes sense that WordPress is the first choice for most businesses. But as you start using it, you quickly realize it's more complex than it seems. The learning curve is steep, and you can spend hours, if not weeks, trying to set it up.

This is why you need to hire a WordPress developer with the know-how to navigate the system. They can turn your vision into a custom-coded website that acts as a critical touchpoint for your business.

But how much do WordPress developers charge? Continue reading to learn their average rates and how to plan your budget.

How much does a WordPress developer cost?

Since the market is global, several factors influence freelance WordPress developer rates. On marketplaces like Fiverr, you can find experts from all over the world, which means the rates vary drastically.

For instance, a Codementor report found the average hourly rate for WordPress developers ranges between $41 and $160 per hour.

Codementor’s study found that it costs between $61 to $80 per hour on average to hire a WordPress developer

If you consider rates from across the world and within all experience levels, most developers charge between $41 and $60 per hour.

On the other hand, data from multiple recruitment websites indicate that the hourly rate is between $20 and $40 per hour—excluding benefits for full-time hires.

That being said, many developers have their own freelance or agency business. In those cases, the rates can be as high as $250 per hour because they have expertise across multiple clients and industries.

What pricing models do WordPress developers use?

We've reviewed rates from Fiverr's marketplace and recruitment websites such as:

• Glassdoor

• Indeed

• PayScale

• SimplyHired

Using this data, we've explained the rates based on different pricing models.

Hourly pricing

Typically, the hourly model is the most common pricing model developers use nowadays.

With this model, you pay the developer for their time working on your WordPress project. This is beneficial if you have a small project or need ongoing support and maintenance.

Here are the ballpark numbers for a WordPress developer’s hourly rate in 2024:

• Junior developers: $20 to $50 per hour

• Mid-level developers: $50 to 150 per hour

• Senior developers: $150-$250 per hour

Most developers use this model to price their per-page or per-project rates. So, clarify their hourly rates (if they provide one) before committing to the project.

Per page pricing

In a per-page pricing model, you pay the developer a fixed rate for each page they create. A small business website can have anywhere between one to five pages.

But more complex websites like enterprise or ecommerce websites can exceed 25 pages.

This is a good option if you know the number of pages you need and the functionality required for each page.

Here are the average rates for this model:

• Simple pages (e.g., About Us, Contact): $50-$150 per page

• Complex pages (e.g., e-commerce product pages): $250-$600 per page

These prices may not include additional features like custom website designs or complex functionality.

Project-based pricing

In the project-based pricing model, you pay the developer a fixed rate for the entire project. This is paid upfront or in milestones.

It doesn't depend on how many hours they spend working on it. This is a good option if you have a clear scope of work and a set budget.

Here’s what you can expect to pay depending on the size of your website:

• Small websites (5-10 pages): $2,000–$5,000

• Medium websites (10-25 pages): $5,000–$15,000

• Large websites (25+ pages): $15,000–$50,000+

These prices depend on your project’s requirements. Some factors include:

• The complexity of the project

• The level of customization required

• The developer's experience

Retainer pricing

Retainers are meant for maintenance work—not so much for web development work. It's a good idea to keep them on your payroll to help you when something goes wrong.

Ideally, 10 to 20 hours of work per month should be sufficient. If you hire a mid-level developer on a retainer basis, expect to pay between $1,000 and $2,000 monthly.

8 considerations to factor in before hiring a WordPress developer

Before you hire a developer, understand what goes into the pricing process. Here are a few factors to consider.

1. Your budget

Your budget determines the level of experience and expertise you can afford.

If you have a limited budget, you compromise either the website's features and functionality or the developer's seniority level.

For example, it’s best to hire a junior developer with few projects in their portfolio but has the expertise to build a complex website—enabling you to make the most of your investment.

2. Developer’s experience

It's normal for experienced developers (mid to senior level) to charge a premium rate. They charge you for the years of experience and expertise across multiple clients/verticals.

They'll also be more efficient and accurate while building your WordPress site. It saves you money by preventing the need to fix errors down the road.

Plus, they have a better idea of the WordPress ecosystem. This means you can access better functionality or features at the same project cost.

3. Developer’s expertise

The more specialized and in-demand the developer's expertise, the higher the developer’s rates.

For example, a developer specializing in WooCommerce development for e-commerce sites may charge more than one working on portfolios.

Similarly, if the developer has experience building a HIPAA-compliant website, expect to pay higher.

4. Developer’s skill set

Some developers also have experience in JavaScript, PHP, HTML/CSS, and jQuery. The more languages or technologies they know, the higher their rates.

Also, check if they’re a front-end or back-end developer—the former handles design and the latter handles the technical side.

They could also have experience with popular website builders like Elementor, which works with WordPress. In this case, they're more likely to command higher rates.

5. Website’s complexity

A simple portfolio website with a few pages and basic features costs less than a complex project like an ecommerce website.

For example, you may need additional services like:

• Multiple product pages

• Custom theme development

• Plugin development

• Payment gateways

• Advanced analytics

• CRM integrations

• Inventory integrations

These are more difficult to build even with plugins, so they require a highly skilled professional. Ultimately, this increases the overall cost of the project.

6. Website’s size

The size of your website could increase the cost when you work with WordPress developers who charge on a per-page pricing model.

It’ll take longer to design, develop, and test the website—adding hours and resources to the project.

Plus, it’ll require regular maintenance work, so prepare to contract a developer on a retainer basis.

7. Project’s timeline

If you need your website completed quickly, expect to pay a rush fee or hire additional developers to work on the project simultaneously.

On the other hand, if you have a longer project timeline, negotiate lower rates or take advantage of off-peak pricing.

8. Developer’s location

The developer’s location also influences how developers set their pricing—at least when starting.

That’s because the cost of living differs everywhere. For example, a country like India would have a lower cost of living than the United States.

For instance, Codementor's data shows developers with mid-level experience living in North America charge between $61 and $80 per hour.

Codementor’s study found that it costs between $61 to $80 per hour on average to hire a WordPress developer in North America

However, those with the same level of experience living in Australia and New Zealand charge between $81 and $100 per hour. For other regions, the rates fall between $41 and $80 per hour.

Codementor’s study found that it costs between $81 to $100 per hour on average to hire a WordPress developer in Australia and New Zealand

Consider the following aspects:

• Are you looking for someone who speaks a specific language?

• Do you have experience working remotely with people across time zones?

• Do you need someone to provide in-person support?

• Do you have experience working with someone from a different culture?

These questions clarify where you want to hire the developer from.

How much does a WordPress website cost?

Hiring a developer is just one part of the WordPress puzzle. There are several other costs to factor in:

• Domain registration: $10 to $50 per year

• Website hosting: $50 to $800 per year

• SSL certificate: $0 to $200 per year

• WordPress theme/template: $0 to $250 as a one-time cost

• WordPress plugins: $0 to $1250 (monthly/annually/one-time)

• Search engine optimization (SEO): $100 to $750 per month

• Maintenance and updates: $500 to $2,000 per month

• Training and support: $500 to $2,000 (one-time)

These costs depend on your website's complexity, availability of in-house resources and business stage.

Budget for these resources within the cost of hiring a developer.

Hire WordPress developers on Fiverr, irrespective of project complexity.

How do you find high-quality WordPress developers?

If you want to work with a developer, multiple options are available. For instance, go to LinkedIn, do a Google search, or ask in your network.

But this can take hours and lead to nowhere. Instead, use freelance marketplaces like Fiverr to find the right match.

On Fiverr, you can easily search and hire talented developers worldwide through our system. Narrow your search by using filters, such as:

• Type of website

• Type of service

• Website features

• Plugins

• Location

• Seller Level

• Language

• Budget

• Delivery time

You also have the option to access subscriptions and video consultations based on your needs. This makes it a flexible option for teams that need services on the fly.

Review a developer's ratings on their profile and see what other clients say about them. Also, look at their badges (Level 1 to Top Rated) to get a clear idea about their experience and expertise.

Fiverr’s rating system for freelancers

After creating a list of potential freelancers to hire, contact them via chat and inquire about their services. We recommend doing this before hiring them, so the end product will be more in line with your expectations.

Fiverr’s system can handle all payments and deliveries, so you're not sifting through hundreds of emails and Slack messages.

Ultimately, it offers a platform to connect with cost-effective providers from a broad talent pool.

Hire vetted WordPress developers from Fiverr

WordPress offers a powerful and flexible platform for building websites. But creating a truly effective site requires the expertise of a skilled developer. There’s no way around it.

So think about what your website needs and how much you can afford before hiring.

You'll have more clarity in the process, and can use a freelance platform like Fiverr to hire and retain the right talent—whenever you need them.

Ready to build your WordPress website? Sign up for Fiverr today and hire your next WordPress expert.