How much do Shopify developer make

It’s a common question to ask if you’re thinking of starting a career as a Shopify developer, or you’re planning on designing your own mini development agency. Whether as a freelance developer, or an innovator working for an existing company, there’s plenty of earning potential for Shopify pros.

Notably, how much you earn as a Shopify expert or freelance developer will depend on a number of factors, including what kind of development tasks you specialize in. 

However, as the demand for Shopify experts continues to grow, you shouldn’t have to worry too much about earning a decent income.

Here’s everything you need to know about the earning potential of a Shopify developer.

How Much do Shopify Developers Make? Your Options

As mentioned above, the amount you earn as a Shopify developer will depend heavily on which strategy you choose for your career. If you decide to go the freelance developer route, you can start your own mini agency and essentially choose your own prices. However, we’d recommend doing your research to ensure you’re charging something similar to the other experts in your space. 

Alternatively, you can consider applying for a role as a Shopify developer with an existing agency. While working for a pre-existing agency can give you a little more security, and mean you spend less time setting up your own freelance venture, it also means you end up with less freedom when it comes to earning potential. 

Let’s look at your options in closer details.

How Much to Agency Developers Make?

As part of an existing agency, you’ll work with a number of different clients, all chosen by the people at the head of your agency or company. While you can’t set your own prices here, earning potential can be quite high. 

The average Shopify developer earns anywhere around $93,000 per year, according to ZipRecruiter. On the lower end of the earning spectrum, about 6% of developers earn between $43,000 and $56,000 per year. 

On the high end, around 3% of the top performers earn between $173,000 and $186,000 per year. 

Notably, the amount you make as part of an existing agency will usually depend on various factors, including how much experience you already have as a developer. If you’re in a higher position with the team, you’re more likely to earn a significant income. 

Your earning potential will also vary depending on where you’re employed. In Texas, the average earnings for a Shopify developer are closer to $83,000 per year, while in New York, this wage increases to an average of $102,000 per year.

How Much Can You Earn as a Freelance Developer?

While there are a lot of opportunities available for people who decide to join existing agencies and teams, the big money is really in the freelance development world. As a freelance developer, you’ll have complete financial freedom, with the opportunity to choose your own prices based on your skill levels, your market, and more. 

The amount you earn as a freelancer will also depend on various factors, including what kind of development services you offer, and how complex a project might be. 

Your best bet for earning the highest income is becoming a part of the right freelance community. 

If you apply to become an expert with Storetasker, for instance, you can expect to earn an average of around $250k per year, working with some of the best brands in the world, including Chubbies, JUDY, DS & Durga. You’ll also have the freedom to choose what kind of freelance work you want to do, and how you want to build out your career. 

You can either go solo like Chiara explains in her interview or start your own mini agency like Thomas has (his interview here). You can spend your days working 100% on Storetasker business OR just as you please (pick up leads whenever you’ve got free time - extra income from your day job). 

The more services you offer, from building Shopify Apps and Themes, to offering consulting and full Shopify Expert services, the more you’ll potentially earn.

How Can You Increase Your Earning Potential as a Shopify Pro?

Already, the earning potential for the average Shopify developer is extremely high. However, it’s worth noting there are various ways you can increase your earning potential in this area. The most obvious solution, as mentioned above, is to join a community capable of increasing your access to various forms of high-quality, high-paying jobs. 

Storetasker developers earn more on average than many solo Shopify developers, and they don’t have to spend as much time searching for clients. 

Other ways to expand your earning potential include:

• Build your own Shopify stores: As a Shopify developer, you already know everything there is to know about creating Shopify stores. So why not build something of your own and consider using it as a way to earn extra income? You can make money as a dropshipping ecommerce seller, which means you don’t have to hold any inventory. Or why not sell your knowledge about development in the form of some helpful courses?
• Become a Shopify Expert: Shopify experts are the developers who help companies build the perfect Shopify store from scratch. You can work hand-in-hand with companies to design all kinds of applications, themes, and tools, or simply optimize their Shopify website. You can earn thousands of dollars per project with this strategy. However, it’s important to make sure you understand all the terms and conditions involved with being a Shopify Expert first.
• Sell apps and themes: If you have some free time in between stints working as a Shopify developer, you can design your own apps and themes. You can list these resources on online marketplaces for your customers to download and use whenever they choose. This can be an excellent way to earn an extra income almost passively. Alternatively, you can even sell your apps and themes on your own Shopify store. Our developer Thomas Kimura does this. 
• Join an affiliate program: Another excellent way to earn extra income from Shopify is to join the affiliate program. Once you join, you’ll receive an affiliate link you can share with customers, and you’ll earn a percentage every time someone signs up for a Shopify plan. While you might not earn a fortune in extra income with this method, you should be able to access a decent source of extra cash. 

Earn More as a Shopify Developer

Shopify developers are in an excellent position to earn some amazing cash right now. As the ecommerce market continues to thrive and more companies look for ways to take their business online, it’s never been a better time to have the skills of a Shopify expert. 

The amount you earn will depend on which route you choose for your Shopify career, but in most cases, you’ll have more earning opportunities as a freelance developer. If you think it’s time to start discovering your true earning potential as a Shopify developer, join Storetasker today.  

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