Hire Top PHP Developers in 2026: Rates, Skills and How to Hire

Hire PHP developers and programmers for Laravel, Symfony or WordPress. See 2026 rates by country, what to test, and how to hire a dedicated PHP developer.

Expert Advice for Hiring a PHP Developer: What You Need to Know

We know that it can be difficult, especially for those who aren’t experts in software development, to discern the differences between scripting languages, specific programming terms, and qualifications required for hiring the right software developer for your business or development team.

If you have arrived at this article, then it could be because you are looking to hire a PHP developer but aren’t sure where to start. In order to help you find the right PHP developer for your projects, this article is going to offer expert advice for understanding what PHP is, how a PHP developer can be useful to you or your business.

What is PHP? 

First, let’s look at what PHP is and how it is commonly used.

PHP, which is an acronym for “Hypertext Preprocessor,” is an open-source scripting language that is known for the development of dynamic websites and web applications. It was initially built to make personal web pages and to generate HTML code, but now it has expanded to offer a wide range of functions, options, and web services. On the technical side, what makes PHP unique is that the code is executed on the server which is embedded into the HTML and then sent to the user instead of being executed on the visitor's browser.

In this way, PHP is focused on the server-side of the development process, but can also be used to write desktop and cross-platform applications. PHP can be used on essentially all major operating systems (Windows, Linux, Unix, Mac OS X, etc.), which means that you have the ability to choose an operating system or web server that works best for you. Now that you have a general idea of what PHP is, next we will look at what it can do. 

What can PHP do?

PHP is known for being able to do a lot of different things. PHP is not just limited to output HTML but can be used to complete a wide range of different tasks. For instance, PHP can be used to encrypt data, send and receive cookies, generate page content, and can even be used to output images and PDF files.

PHP runs WordPress, which powers about 43% of all websites, and big sites like Wikipedia and Etsy are built with it. In total, PHP runs on about 3 out of 4 websites whose server language is known.

Within the world of software development, PHP is considered to be one of the most widely-used and popular programming languages, while also being one of the most controversial programming languages out there. In the next section, we are going to outline when PHP could be useful and when PHP may not be the best choice for your specific project or team.

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Why should you hire PHP developers?

PHP is one of the top programming languages that are used by start-ups and small businesses for a variety of reasons. As you are deciding what kind of software development you want for your company, it can be useful to understand exactly what makes PHP such a popular and widely-used programming language. Here are some examples of why PHP is such a highly used program:

• Firstly, one component that makes PHP frameworks so popular is that it is fast to use. Many developers appreciate PHP for project development because it increases the development speed compared to other programs. Because of this, sometimes expert developers will create prototypes in PHP and then use other languages later because of the speed of development when using PHP. 
• Another positive aspect of PHP development is that it is very dynamic in the different functions that it can perform. For instance, it can be used for basic website functions such as accepting passwords and usernames or displaying photos and galleries on your website. 
• One of the strongest aspects of PHP web development is that it is supported by a wide range of databases and is compatible with almost all servers used today which makes it easier to fit your project requirements.
• PHP is free to download and use, and has a large community of programmers across the globe that continue to improve and innovate the language. If you run into an issue, there are many forums (like Stack Overflow), faqs, and PHP experts that have shared their knowledge online and offer free PHP classes.
• When you use PHP web development tools, it is easy to scale up websites or web applications, and easy to customize to the specific needs of your project, business, or company. Furthermore, the user interface is fast and responsive when they are built by a competent PHP developer. 
• Finally, PHP web development is also great for newcomers, while also containing features that are suited for advanced and expert developers. For a beginner developer, the basic elements of PHP can be learned in a short amount of time. Its simplicity is something that is often attractive to developers who are just starting or marketing themselves on a job board. 
• Since it is so widely used, there is a high demand for PHP developers and there are a lot of dedicated PHP developers who are available to hire. 

These are just some of the benefits of using PHP or hiring PHP developers who are highly competent with PHP application development. Furthermore, PHP has improved a lot with PHP 8, which gets a new version every year (PHP 8.5 came out in November 2025), and that makes it even more appealing to developers and clients. Considering how many developers and companies use PHP programmers, it seems to be a coding language that will be beneficial and useful for a long time to come, which makes it a great skill to consider when you are looking for the right developers to hire for your team. 

Common Criticisms of PHP

When you are trying to decide what kind of software developers you are going to hire, it is also important to recognize the downsides of using certain programming languages over others. PHP is the subject of a lot of criticism among software developers for a range of different reasons, which can be helpful to know before you decide to hire PHP developers for your project or company. Here are some common criticisms of PHP: 

• PHP doesn’t have clear rules or restrictions about parameters order. This has led some to say that operating with PHP can be sloppy and unpredictable as a programming language. This also means that only expert PHP developers can guarantee that the source code will be well designed and functional. This doesn’t mean that quality web applications can’t be designed using PHP, but it does require the attention of an experienced and skilled developer. However, just because it allows a developer to write “bad” code, doesn’t mean that the PHP is necessarily bad.
• One of the most common areas of concern is the fact that there are security issues that are often cited when looking at PHP. Most PHP security problems come from code written without care, like unchecked user input or outdated versions, not from the language itself. This is another area where hiring an experienced and dedicated PHP developer will come in handy, as mistakes with security often come from inexperienced PHP developers. 

In conclusion, the concerns about security and quality of the coding related to PHP is largely dependent on the skills and experience level of the PHP developer that you choose to hire. If you hire a PHP developer who doesn’t have much experience with building secure and well-designed websites, then you may run into issues later down the line in the development process. This is why we suggest that you test possible candidates for the position in your company or project, which is easy with our AI skills assessment ($14.90 per candidate).

What does a PHP Developer do? 

Dedicated PHP developers can be an essential part of your team for designing functional and dynamic web applications and websites. PHP developers are the part of the development team that works mostly with the server-side of development, which means that they primarily work with the back-end components of the development process. They would be responsible for laying the groundwork for web applications and doing the behind-the-scenes web services. PHP developers can use PHP to develop programs, websites, and web applications among other things. This can range from blogs, forums, e-commerce sites, or web applications. However, they also need to have a basic understanding of the front-end components of the development process in order to work better with the other developers in the project team.  

Role of a PHP Developer

Next, it is essential to understand the specific duties and roles that PHP developers play in your business team. Some examples of the role of a PHP developer could be to:

• Develop programs, applications, and websites
• Work together with the development or project team to find software solutions
• Have a good understanding of back-end development and PHP frameworks
• Skills with building responsive and effective applications
• Write, test, code fix, and maintain the codes for the website
• Troubleshoot for source code issues or security problems

This list contains just some examples of the common duties that are done by PHP developers. In different companies, the role of the PHP developer could change depending on the needs of the client, specific project, or business. For instance, in some cases, it could be expected that PHP developers would also have coding abilities in client-side development like Javascript or CSS. By having a knowledge of programming languages and web solutions, PHP developers can help to create a good customer experience for clients who use your application or website. 

Soft Skills of a PHP Developer 

In addition to hard skills like experience with PHP coding, there are soft skill sets that can help when considering hiring PHP developers. For instance, web developers who have clear and concise communication with the development team, good business and marketing sense, quick problem-solving skills, leadership qualities, and a knowledge of the project requirements are all important things to consider when looking to hire PHP web developers. With all of these skills, you can be sure that you will find a dedicated PHP developer for your web development projects and that you will be satisfied with their contribution to your business or startup. 

Average Salary of a PHP Developer

One of the first things to recognize when talking about the average salary of PHP developers is that there are many different factors that can make it difficult to accurately predict how much PHP developers would be paid. For instance, there is a difference in the country where the web developer is working from, whether they are a freelancer or an in-house PHP developer, the skill and experience level of the web developer, and the difficulty of the job or project that they are doing.

However, there are still ways of getting an average salary for PHP web development services through looking at averages on sites like ZipRecruiter. In 2026, ZipRecruiter puts the average US PHP developer salary at about $102,000 a year, or $49 an hour. However, this number would vary between full-stack developers and junior developers and the country where web development is happening.

When compared to salaries of other programming languages, PHP is known for having a lower average salary for a few different reasons. Firstly, because PHP is so easy to use and quick to learn, there are many junior and beginner PHP developers out there. However, with more experience and a higher level of coding abilities, then the salary for PHP can increase significantly. Furthermore, despite the lower salary, there is a lot of demand for PHP web apps and sites which means that there are opportunities for finding well-paying jobs and quality PHP developers.

PHP developer hourly rates by country (2026)

What you pay a PHP developer depends mostly on where they live and how senior they are. These are typical freelance rates in 2026:

Country	Mid-level (3–5 yrs)	Senior (5+ yrs)
United States	$45 – $80	$60 – $120
Canada	$40 – $70	$55 – $100
United Kingdom	$35 – $60	$45 – $80
Germany	$35 – $55	$40 – $70
Poland	$30 – $50	$35 – $70
Romania	$25 – $45	$30 – $60
Ukraine	$25 – $40	$30 – $55
Serbia	$25 – $40	$30 – $55
Brazil	$25 – $45	$30 – $60
Mexico	$25 – $45	$30 – $60
Argentina	$20 – $40	$30 – $55
Colombia	$20 – $40	$30 – $55
India	$12 – $25	$20 – $45
Pakistan	$12 – $25	$18 – $40
Philippines	$15 – $30	$20 – $45
Vietnam	$15 – $30	$20 – $45
Nigeria	$15 – $30	$25 – $45
Egypt	$12 – $25	$20 – $40

PHP developers who also know Laravel or Symfony well, or who can work on the front end too, are usually at the top of these ranges. Marketplaces often add 15–50% on top. With EliteBrains you pay the developer’s own rate. For example, Johnny P., a freelance Symfony developer from Prague with 13 years of experience, charges $65 an hour.

Methodology: compiled from 2026 rate benchmarks (Lemon.io, Second Talent and others), rounded to the nearest $5. Last updated October 2026.

What To Know to Hire PHP Developers

Now that we have outlined the skills, duties, and average salary of PHP developers, the next step is to figure out what kind of web developer you are looking for for your project. For instance, one aspect to figure out is whether you are looking to hire an in-house PHP developer or a freelance PHP developer. In-house PHP developers would likely be someone that you want to bring into your company as a long-term hire and be a permanent part of your PHP development team.

The pricing model for hiring an in-house PHP developer is often higher because of the costs for insurance, workspace, training, etc. Often, freelance PHP developers are a better way to go for small businesses or startups that are still growing their companies. Freelancers are also a good choice if you only need a developer for one project or quick web services. Freelancers may not be as invested in the long-term development of your company or be the best experts in their field, but they can help to develop a specific project, application, or website. So the next question is, where can you find dedicated PHP developers?

Hire a dedicated PHP developer

A dedicated PHP developer works only on your product, full-time and for the long term, like a member of your own team. It’s the right choice when your website or app needs steady work every week, for example new features, updates to a newer PHP version, or looking after an online shop, and you want someone who knows your code well.

A freelancer is better for a single project or a few hours of fixes. A dedicated developer costs about the same per hour, but saves you the time of explaining your code to someone new again and again.

Most dedicated PHP developers work as contractors, often from another country. You don’t need a company in their country: with EliteBrains as your Contractor of Record, we sign the contract, take care of the legal side and pay the developer every month.

Hire through our Contractor of Record →

Where to Hire a PHP Developer

There are many different job boards and sites that you can find PHP developers offering their skills across a large range of pricing models and options. Some of the most common websites to find freelance PHP developers are job sites like Toptal, Fiverr and Upwork. On these sites, you can find a list of different app developers, PHP programmers, software development experts, and freelance PHP developers who are all offering their skills online. However, even though there are many options when you want to hire PHP developers, it can be difficult for job seekers to find a dedicated PHP developer that has the right skills, experience, and track record for your business. 

Of these sites, the most recognizable site is likely Toptal or Upwork. These web apps offer job boards of thousands of PHP freelancers that are searching for work. One of the main differences between Toptal and Upwork is that Toptal has a process of vetting PHP developers before they list them on their site. This is good because when you hire PHP programmers on Toptal, you can know that they will be qualified and dedicated PHP developers, however, it also means that the pricing model on their job board is much higher.

Upwork doesn't screen the freelance PHP developers on their site, which means that you can hire PHP programmers for less cost, but you don't have the same assurance that the freelancer will perform well or are as experienced as they may claim. For some, these sites can help them find PHP web developers that they need, but it can also be pricey or inefficient. If you want to learn more about the difference between Toptal, Upwork, and EliteBrains, follow the link here to learn more! 

Hire PHP Developers on EliteBrains

With EliteBrains you find, test and hire PHP developers yourself, and you never pay a commission on their rate. Already have a PHP developer in mind? Skip the search and use EliteBrains only for the steps you need: test their skills, sign the contract and pay them. It works in four steps:

1. Tell us who you need. PHP version, frameworks like Laravel or Symfony, seniority, location and budget.
2. Get matching candidates. Our AI sourcing finds up to 50 PHP developers who fit, for $99. If you already have a candidate, skip this step.
3. Test the best ones. Send an AI skills assessment for $14.90 per candidate and only interview those who pass.
4. Sign and pay. EliteBrains acts as Contractor of Record for $199 per contract per month and handles the contract, timesheets, invoices and payments.

Find PHP developers for $99 →

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