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What is a front end developer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
5 min read
Quoted Expert
Brian Law
introduction image

A front end developer creates the user-facing part of websites and applications. This includes designing and coding layouts, interfaces, and interactive features using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Front end developers work with designers and back end developers to ensure seamless integration of website components. They have skills in web design principles, responsive design techniques, and browser compatibility issues. A front end developer possesses strong problem-solving skills and can stay up-to-date with the latest technology trends.

What general advice would you give to a Front End Developer?

B

Brian Law

Assistant Professor of Computer Science, Illinois Wesleyan University

i) Explore your options thoroughly. Too many students get bewitched by Big Tech companies, with their bold promises, their fancy campuses, their big recruitment events, and their nice swag. Nowadays, this also happens to students with start-ups. But those jobs are not only highly competitive, but they also have very similarly exacting work cultures and very little work-life balance. These are cutthroat environments that are, frankly, not suited for everyone. Instead, many graduates would probably be happier working at, say, medium or small-size companies where they can find a workplace culture that fits them rather than the other way around, or non-tech companies where the pressure is lower because the goal is more stability and support rather than rapid innovation. Of course, this is the exact same dynamic that plays out with young consultants, accountants, lawyers, and doctors, who are also often initially attracted to high-powered, high-pressure environments but often end up deciding it's not for them, especially as they get older and start thinking about families.

ii) Specialize. There's no job out there with the title, "Computer Scientist." Employers are looking to hire you for a specific set of skills and knowledge. If you can identify the area of Computer Science you're interested in and the work you want to do in that area, you can again get a big leg up over your competition if you can demonstrate that you actually want to do what your future employer wants you to and that you're good at it. If you want to work with databases, then take those extra database electives and learn some other database technologies on your own time, and your resume will stand out amongst all the others for any DBA job.

iii) Don't sweat it too much. You've probably been alive for 22 years or so, so you'll probably be in the labor force for 50+ years. Your first job is not going to be your last job, and you may easily find your career path taking unexpected turns that you never even knew existed. Just like you didn't know what the areas of computer science were as a freshman, there are many many CS-related job types out there that you're not even aware of, and 50 years from now, there will probably be even more. While it may seem like your first job will set you on one path for the rest of your life, really it starts you towards 5000 possible paths out of millions in total. No, you don't get the stability of a "job for life" anymore, but that can also be freeing in a way. Don't worry about finding that "perfect" job; even if you did find it, you and the world around you will change over time anyway, so just take your first step confidently and always keep an eye out for your next one.
ScoreFront End DeveloperUS Average
Salary
7.2

Avg. Salary $92,147

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
5.2

Growth Rate 13%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
1.9
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.42%

Asian 15.84%

Black or African American 6.42%

Hispanic or Latino 11.96%

Unknown 6.50%

White 58.86%

Gender

female 22.70%

male 77.30%

Age - 36
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 36
Stress Level
5.2

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
6.3

Complexity Level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
5.8

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a Front End Developer?

Pros

  • High demand for front end developers

  • Good salary and benefits

  • Creative work that allows for artistic expression

  • Flexibility to work remotely or freelance

  • Potential for career advancement to senior or management positions

Cons

  • High pressure and tight deadlines can lead to stress and burnout

  • May require working long hours or weekends to meet deadlines

  • Clients may not always understand the limitations of front end development

  • Sitting for long periods of time can lead to health issues such as back pain or eye strain

  • Potential to become isolated if working remotely or freelance without proper networking efforts

Newest jobs for Front End Developer in Columbus, OH

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Front End Developer career paths

Key steps to become a front end developer

  1. Explore front end developer education requirements

    Most common front end developer degrees

    Bachelor's

    72.2 %

    Master's

    14.6 %

    Associate

    9.6 %

  2. Start to develop specific front end developer skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    		Percentages
    ascdesc
    JavaScript10.41%
    Front-End9.97%
    Html Css5.70%
    UI5.55%
    HTML4.65%
    Show more

  3. Complete relevant front end developer training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New front end developers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a front end developer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real front end developer resumes.

  4. Gain additional front end developer certifications

    Front end developer certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific front end developer certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for front end developers include Certified Web Professional - Web Developer and Certified Scrum Master (CSM).

    More About Certifications

  5. Research front end developer duties and responsibilities

    • Manage Linux web and database servers.
    • Used SVN as source control management giving a huge speed advantage on centralize systems that have to communicate with a server.
    • Manage social media including Facebook advertising.
    • Interact with java controllers (JQUERY, Ajax, and JSON to write/read data from back end systems).

  6. Prepare your front end developer resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your front end developer resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a front end developer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Front End Developer Resume templates

    Build a professional Front End Developer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Front End Developer resume.
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    Front End Developer Resume

  7. Apply for front end developer jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a front end developer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Front End Developer Job

L

Leo OjigboLeo Ojigbo LinkedIn Profile

Front End Developer, Cecure Intelligence Ltd

The journey started with a Bachelors in mathematics and computer science. I was exposed to a lot of theoretical ideas in computing. About 15 years ago, armed with knowledge of computer hardware maintenance and repairs, I started the search for more software skills. That led me to take a course in Oracle 11.1 g on Linux at a well-known IT institution in my local area. That became the foundation for my software journey.

In trying to attain a frontend developer status, I easily went through, HTML, CSS, Bootstrap, JQuery, and PHP. But my JavaScript was missing something. So I invested hundreds of hours reading every and any book I found on JavaScript up until it became second nature to me. Once I had an in-depth knowledge of JS, I made a move to React, Node JS, MongoDB, and Express Js (MERN stack). I owe a lot of my knowledge to reading, YouTube tutorials, personal research, and my ability to logically solve problems. My passion for creating solutions gave me the career growth I always envisioned.

In my current employment, I have been able to build a formidable development team, capable of creating innovative enterprise-scale business solutions. Our current business includes Our Zero To Techie program that trains aspiring developers even with zero knowledge in the field to become masters in this space. We also consult for clients and carry product ideas from the minds of our clients through to delivery for the end users. Finally, we take the burdens of technical support off organizations with our CIL support branch filled with experienced and certified support engineers responding to issues and meeting up with SLAs.

In summary my keypoints to being a frontend engineer would be
1. Passion
2. Love research
3. Enjoy facing problems with the goal of finding solutions.

Goodluck on your journey to the Frontend.
K

Krithika Balakrishnan

Front End Developer, Futurism Technologies

Generally I loved every aspect of creating visually stunning designs, playing with colors, and bringing ideas to life. But as I delved deeper into the design world, I realized there was something missing interactivity.

That's when I stumbled upon front end development. It seemed like the perfect blend of design and technology, allowing me to not only create beautiful interfaces but also make them functional and dynamic. Excited by the possibilities, I decided to dive headfirst into learning web development.

I started with the basics, teaching myself HTML and CSS through online tutorials and courses. It was challenging at first, especially coming from a design background, but I was determined to master it. As I got more comfortable with the fundamentals, I began exploring JavaScript to add interactivity to my designs.

One of the biggest challenges I faced was transitioning from a visual mindset to a more logical and structured approach required in coding. But with perseverance and practice, I gradually started to think like a developer, breaking down problems into smaller, manageable pieces and finding elegant solutions.

Along the way, I sought out mentors and joined online communities where I could learn from experienced developers and seek advice when I hit roadblocks. Their guidance was invaluable and helped me navigate the complexities of front end development more efficiently.

After months of hard work and dedication, I finally landed my first job as a Web developer. It was a surreal moment, realizing how far I had come from my days as a Performance engineer. But it was also just the beginning of my journey in tech.

Looking back, I'm grateful for every challenge and setback I encountered along the way. They pushed me out of my comfort zone and forced me to grow both personally and professionally. And while my journey from graphic design to front end development was far from conventional, it's a testament to the endless possibilities that exist in the world of tech for those willing to embrace change and pursue their passions.

Average front end developer salary

The average Front End Developer salary in the United States is $92,147 per year or $44 per hour. Front end developer salaries range between $68,000 and $124,000 per year.

Average Front End Developer Salary
$92,147 Yearly
$44.30 hourly
More front end developer salary info

What Am I Worth?

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Front End Developer reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2019
Pros

Improve every day, a good salary, a lot of job opportunities

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on May 2019
Pros

Making your own website

Cons

Taking time to make it

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Front End Developer FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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