WordPress Developer Job Description Guide: Free Template and Examples

What does a WordPress developer do?

A WordPress developer builds, customises, and maintains websites that run on WordPress. Day to day, that means creating or adapting themes, configuring and building plugins, setting up WooCommerce stores, fixing errors, improving speed and security, and keeping the site updated. Some WordPress developers focus on the front end (layout, design, and blocks), some on the back end (PHP, database, and integrations), and many handle both.

A clear job description tells candidates which of these jobs you actually need. Use the template below as a starting point, then adjust it with the tips that follow.

WordPress developer job description template

Copy this template and replace the text in brackets.

Job title

WordPress Developer [Junior / Mid-level / Senior] ([Full-time / Part-time / Contract / Freelance], [Remote / Location])

Job overview

[Company name] is looking for a WordPress developer to build, improve, and maintain our WordPress website(s). You will work with [our marketing team / designers / clients] to turn designs into fast, secure, and easy-to-manage websites. This role suits a developer who enjoys clean code, clear communication, and solving real business problems.

Key responsibilities

• Build and customise WordPress themes, including child themes and block themes, from designs in [Figma / Adobe XD]
• Convert design mockups into responsive, cross-browser compatible pages using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
• Configure, customise, and develop WordPress plugins to add new features
• Set up and maintain [WooCommerce stores / membership areas / booking systems]
• Integrate third-party services such as CRMs, payment gateways, and email platforms
• Improve site speed and Core Web Vitals through caching, image optimisation, and clean code
• Keep WordPress core, themes, and plugins updated and secure, with regular backups
• Run regular security checks and migrate websites between hosts or from other platforms when needed
• Test changes on a staging site before deploying them to the live site
• Fix bugs and errors, and troubleshoot plugin and theme conflicts
• Write clear documentation and hand over changes to the content team
• Work with project managers, designers, and content creators, and give clear technical guidance when asked

Skills and qualifications

Required:

• [2+] years of professional WordPress development experience
• Strong PHP, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript skills
• Experience building custom themes and working with hooks (actions and filters)
• Working knowledge of MySQL and the WordPress database
• Experience with staging sites, backups, and safe deployment
• A portfolio of live WordPress websites
• Strong debugging skills, including browser developer tools, to find conflicts between themes, plugins, and custom code

Nice to have:

• WooCommerce development experience
• Experience with the block editor, custom blocks, and theme.json
• Familiarity with the WordPress REST API and headless setups
• Git, WP-CLI, and command-line tools
• Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) and page builders such as Elementor or WPBakery
• Experience with React or another modern JavaScript framework
• Technical SEO and accessibility knowledge

Education

A degree in computer science, IT, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience shown through a strong portfolio of WordPress work.

What we offer

[Salary or rate range], [working hours], [benefits], [remote or hybrid setup], and [growth or training opportunities].

How to apply

Send [your CV / portfolio links / a short note about a WordPress project you are proud of] to [email or application link] by [date].

WordPress developer duties and responsibilities explained

The responsibilities in the template fall into five areas. Keep the ones your project needs and remove the rest, which helps the right candidates recognise themselves.

WordPress developer skills and tools to list

Technical skills

PHP, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, MySQL, WordPress hooks, custom post types, the block editor, the REST API, and WooCommerce.

Tools

Local development tools, Git, WP-CLI, a staging environment, page builders your site uses (such as Elementor or Divi), performance testing tools, and design tools such as Figma.

Soft skills

Clear written communication, realistic time estimates, attention to detail, and the ability to explain technical decisions to non-technical people.

Does a WordPress developer need coding skills?

Yes. A WordPress developer writes and edits code, mainly PHP, along with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Someone who only installs themes and plugins with page builders is better described as a WordPress designer or site builder. If that is all you need, say it in the job description and you will attract the right people at a lower rate.

Junior, mid-level, and senior WordPress developer job description

Change the experience level, responsibilities, and expectations to match the role:

Freelance WordPress developer job description

A freelance job post is shorter and focuses on one project rather than a long-term role. Include:

• The project: what you need built or fixed, in two or three sentences
• Current setup: your theme, key plugins, hosting, and any page builder
• Deliverables: pages, features, or fixes, with a clear finish line
• Timeline: start date and deadline
• Budget: a fixed price or hourly range
• What to send: links to similar work and a short plan for your project

For a full checklist, see how to write a brief for a web developer.

WordPress developer salary and rates to include

Adding a salary or rate range attracts more relevant applicants and saves time on both sides. In the US, WordPress developers earn an average base salary of about $34 an hour, according to Indeed salary data. In the UK, permanent roles pay a median of £35,000 a year, and contract developers earn a median of £450 a day, according to IT Jobs Watch. Freelance rates usually range from $20 to $175 an hour, depending on experience and location.

For a full breakdown, see our WordPress developer cost guide.

Are WordPress developers still in demand?

Yes. WordPress powers around 40 percent of all websites, according to W3Techs data for November 2026, and every one of those sites needs building, updating, securing, or improving. Demand is strongest for developers with WooCommerce, performance, security, and custom plugin skills, which is worth reflecting in both the job description and the pay you offer.

How to write a WordPress developer job description that attracts the right people

• Be specific about the work. "Build a WooCommerce store with 200 products and Stripe" attracts better candidates than "WordPress work".
• Separate must-have skills from nice-to-have skills. Long requirement lists put off good developers.
• Name your setup. Mention your theme, page builder, and key plugins to avoid surprises.
• Show the pay. A clear range filters out mismatched applicants.
• Ask for proof. Request links to live sites and one example of a problem they solved.
• Keep it short and readable. Use headings and bullet points, like the template above.

When you shortlist candidates, use our WordPress developer interview questions guide to compare them fairly.

Hiring a WordPress developer on Osdire

On Osdire, you can turn your job description into a project brief and post a project to receive offers from WordPress developers. You can also browse WordPress developers and order a ready-made offer if your task is clear. Your payment is held securely by Osdire and released to the developer only after you approve the work.