WordPress is still the most popular CMS in 2025, and for good reason.

Many businesses assume hiring WordPress developers in Australia is expensive or out of reach.
But that’s not always the case.

The cost can vary depending on who you hire, the type of work needed, and how the project is managed, whether it’s a freelancer or an agency.

In this guide, we’ll break down real-world hourly rates and help you understand what to expect before you start.

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Are Freelance WordPress Developers Costly?

freelancer wordpress developers in Australia

No. Not really. Hiring a freelance WordPress developer can be quite cost-effective, depending on what you need.

Starting a basic WordPress site costs nothing. You can install WordPress on your hosting and launch a site yourself.

But this site won’t look appealing to your users. That is where the work of a WordPress developer comes in. You can hire them on a fixed rate or hourly basis, depending on the project scope.

For example, if you already have a theme and just need it customised to match your brand, a fixed price of around $2,000 is common. For $2,000, your developer will customise the whole theme and make it appealing (provided you give him the design that you want).

On the other hand, the development cost of building a website from scratch will be much higher, depending on the hourly cost of the WordPress developer.

>>>From WordPress developers in Melbourne to hands-on support in Sydney, we help businesses across Australia.

How Are WordPress Developers’ Hourly Rates Determined?

When hiring a WordPress developer, you’ll find their hourly rates can vary a lot. This depends on several factors like their experience, project scope, and how urgent the work is.

Here’s a simple breakdown to help you understand what affects pricing.

Developer expertise and experience

Simply put, experienced and expert developers have higher hourly charges. The experience, skill sets, and expertise clearly have effect on how much the WordPress developer charges per hour.

1. Junior Developer Rates

These developers have less than 2 years of experience. Hourly rates usually range from $25 to $50.

2. Mid-Level Developer Rates

Mid-level developers have 2 to 5 years of experience. Their rates usually sit between $50 and $100 per hour.

3. Senior or Expert Developer Rates

These are highly skilled developers with over 5 years of experience. Rates often range from $100 to $200+ per hour.

Scope of Work

Some developers do not always work on an hourly base rate model. Sometimes, they can charge on the basis of the total project or work done. This depends mostly on how complex the work is and the effort required to complete the work.

Timeline

The timeline of the project also determines the hourly rates for WordPress Developers. Sometimes, a development project may not always be straightforward in terms of timeline. Some projects might be one-off projects, and some may not end for even a few years. So, this might also affect the rates.

How Much Do WordPress Developers Charge on Freelance Platforms?

Freelance platforms are a popular choice for hiring WordPress developers. But the cost varies widely based on the platform, developer location, and experience level.

Some platforms are curated and vet their developers, so they charge higher rates. Others are open marketplaces where competition drives prices down.

1. Codementor:

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Codementor is a niche platform focused on high-quality, vetted developers. It’s great for one-on-one help, mentoring, or quick fixes.

WordPress developers here generally charge between $61 and $80 per hour. More experienced developers in countries like the US or the UK can charge $81–100+ per hour.

2. Upwork

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Upwork is one of the largest freelance platforms in the world. Because it’s open to developers from every skill level and location, rates vary a lot.
WordPress developers on Upwork typically charge between $15 and $28 per hour.

Beginners or offshore freelancers might start as low as $10/hr, while top-rated talent can charge $50–100/hr for advanced work.

3. People Per Hour

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On the People Per Hour freelancing platform, the cost of a WordPress developer varies between $20 per hour – $60 per hour.

People Per Hour mostly has people from Asia, and that is why the costs of freelance development are a lot lower than other freelancing platforms.

4. Guru

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Next, we have Guru. Guru is another freelancing platform. It has mostly fixed-rate WordPress projects available.
Freelancers work on a fixed rate basis, and the average cost of building a basic website on the WordPress CMS platform is somewhere between $200 and $500. For customised websites, the cost is higher, ranging between $500 and $1,000.

So, on average…

How Much Do WordPress Developers Charge Per Hour?

An expert WordPress developer can charge between $60 and $200 per hour, depending on the type of development work needed.

The rates of a WordPress developer will also vary based on hiring requirements, such as freelancer, part-time, or full-time work.

WordPress Freelancer Rates vs Agency Rates

WordPress agency hourly cost

Freelancers usually charge $20 to $100 per hour, depending on experience and location.
Rates can go higher for niche experts, but most sit between $40 and $75 per hour.

Agencies, on the other hand, charge between $100 and $200+ per hour. This is because you’re paying for a full team of developers, designers, strategists, QA testers, and project managers, all working together on your project.

How Much Does a WordPress Development Agency Cost Per Hour?

WordPress agencies usually charge between $100 and $200+ per hour, depending on their location, expertise, and size.

A top-tier or specialist WordPress agency in Australia may even charge $250+ per hour for advanced strategy, UX, or development work.

>>> Check out our handpicked list of the 5 Best WordPress Agencies in Melbourne, trusted for results, reliability, and real business impact.

Negotiating WordPress Development Hourly Charges

If you are hiring a WordPress developer for business, negotiate the rates that they offer. Here are a few tips that you should keep in mind when you are negotiating with WordPress developers to bring down the hourly cost.

  1. Never accept the first rate they offer. They always have room for discounts on WordPress development services.
  2. Get rates from multiple agencies. This way you will know what is the lowest rate and the most value you are getting. It will also help you negotiate better with a WordPress developer of your choice
  3. Find how you can extract the most value from the WordPress development agency. If you liked the price they quoted, you can ask them to provide more value. This can be post-sale website maintenance or something else
  4. Remember to walk out. If you think the WordPress developer is not offering the rates you want, you can walk out and look for other WordPress development agencies available on the internet.
  5. Determine your highest acceptance rate. You should have a ballpark figure in mind. Let’s say you want a complete eCommerce store for $15,000 with post-development maintenance. Keep this in mind when you negotiate. Start with $12,000 for the whole package.
  6. It should be a win-win for both. Remember, if you offer a rate that is too low, you won’t get the maximum quality. If you agree to a rate that is over your budget, you will have buyer’s remorse. So, go for a mutually agreeable rate for both you, as the client and the WordPress development agency.

Work with Australia’s Trusted WordPress Experts

With so many freelancers and agencies out there, choosing the right developer can feel overwhelming. Rates vary a lot, and it’s hard to know who’s truly reliable.

At Nirmal Web Studio, we have a team of experienced WordPress developers who work with small businesses as well as eCommerce stores. We deliver high-quality work with clear communication and a structured process, whether you need custom builds or performance fixes.

Want to see what we’ve done or request a quote? Book a meeting with us!

WordPress Developer Hourly Rate FAQs

How much does it cost to hire a WordPress developer in Australia?

The cost to hire a WordPress developer in Australia typically ranges from $50 to $150 per hour.

Junior developers may charge between $50 to $80 per hour, mid-level developers around $80 to $120, and senior or expert developers can charge $120 to $150 or more.

If you’re working with a WordPress agency, rates are usually higher, often starting from $150 per hour, as you’re getting access to a full team with specialised skills.

Is it cheaper to hire a freelancer or an agency?

Yes, it’s generally cheaper to hire a freelancer. Freelancers often charge between $25 and $100 per hour, depending on their experience and location.

Agencies usually charge $100 to $200+ per hour because you’re getting a full team, project management, and a structured delivery process.

Do I need to hire a developer if I already have a theme?

Yes, in most cases, you’ll still benefit from hiring a developer even if you already have a theme. A developer can customise the theme to match your brand, improve performance, fix layout issues, and make sure everything works smoothly across devices.

How long does a typical WordPress website take to build?

A standard WordPress website usually takes 2 to 4 weeks to build.

For larger or custom projects like eCommerce sites or complex integrations, the timeline can extend to 6 to 8 weeks or more, depending on the scope, feedback, and content readiness.

Do you offer ongoing support and maintenance?

Yes, we provide ongoing website support and maintenance to keep your WordPress site running smoothly. Our team handles everything from updates, backups, security checks, and performance optimisation, so you don’t have to worry about the technical side.

What other WordPress services do you offer?

Alongside development, we offer a full range of WordPress services to help your website perform at its best. This includes custom web design, eCommerce, WooCommerce development, SEO consultation and ongoing website maintenance.