PHP Rates Calculator

When you hire a PHP developer, you’re choosing a workhorse language that powers everything from fast MVPs to high-traffic sites. The market is packed with global talent, but that doesn’t mean rates are all over the map—pricing is sharply driven by real skills, proven experience, and geography. Here’s exactly what the data reveals about where PHP developer rates stand now.

The Market Landscape: A Breakdown by Seniority

For middle-level PHP developers, the overwhelming majority fall between $61 and $100 per hour. Entry-level rates below $60/hr exist, but they’re the exception—just under 15% of mids land in this bracket, often in regions where cost of living is lower. Over half of all mids charge $61–80/hr, making it the real sweet spot for solid, reliable talent. Another third sit at $81–100/hr, and the rest are scattered above $100/hr, typically for those with unique skillsets or in high-demand regions. You’ll rarely see a middle PHP developer charging premium rates unless there’s something special in their profile.

Senior PHP developers are a more complex market. The most common rate is still $61–80/hr, but there’s a big surge in the $81–100/hr band, and nearly as many seniors can be found at rates above $100/hr as below. The senior pool splits almost evenly: about 40% are available for $81–100/hr, but another third have moved up to $101–160/hr. Only a handful of seniors can be hired below $60/hr, and those are fast disappearing. At the top, the strongest seniors price themselves for depth, trust, and their impact on business, not just their code.

The strong senior PHP developer pool is small but competitive. Nearly half are priced in the $81–100/hr range, with a strong cohort still available for $61–80/hr. The rest command $101/hr or more, with a select few pushing into $121–140/hr territory—these are the consultants, architects, and technical leads who’ve seen every edge case and know how to keep projects moving.

The Global Talent Map: Regional Variation

The USA and Ukraine dominate the PHP talent pool, with major depth at every seniority—both are safe bets if you want a mix of value, quality, and reliable time zone overlap. Germany, France, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the UK make up a solid “premium tier,” especially at senior and strong senior levels. Eastern Europe (especially Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria, and Poland) remains a value engine, consistently supplying mids and seniors in the most competitive $61–100/hr range.

If you’re chasing maximum cost-efficiency, Asia, Africa, and Latin America do offer a handful of mids and seniors in lower rate bands, but the pools are smaller and dry up fast for strong seniors. Australia and New Zealand also show up as steady sources of both mids and seniors, providing options for teams working in those time zones.

But here’s the bottom line—you won’t find real PHP expertise at bargain-basement rates. The market has matured, and strong developers, no matter where they are, know their worth. The days of finding reliable PHP talent at the lowest end of the spectrum are over.

What Actually Matters: Value, Not Just Price

Hiring PHP talent is about more than just hourly rate—it’s about getting the job done right, on time, and without technical debt. Lemon.io’s platform is designed to put trustworthy, vetted developers in front of you at a price that matches their true impact. Don’t waste time chasing the cheapest number; you’ll pay more in the long run to clean up after it.