Front-End Developer Job Description: How to be the Best Fit

According to the 2022 Stack Overflow survey, the median salary for front-end developers is $133,000 per year in the U.S. Additionally, as of December 2022, there are over 14,000 front-end developer job openings in the U.S. alone. That makes it an ideal time for aspiring developers to acquire crucial front-end skills and enter the field of front-end development. However, before pursuing a career in this field, it is useful to have an in-depth understanding of what is expected in a front-end developer job description, including the skills, education, and experience needed to stay at the top of this field. 

Front-End Developer Job Description

A front-end developer is typically a web developer who specializes in creating and maintaining a website’s graphical components, from the logo and layout to the typefaces and colors used on the pages. In order to do so, they collaborate closely with web designers. They also interact with clients to understand their challenges and goals. 

A typical front-end developer job description includes the following criteria: 

• Experience in designing and developing the visual elements of a website
• Knowledge of testing and debugging the website’s functionality
• Familiarity with coding languages such as HTML5, CSS3, and Javascript
• Proficiency in working with web development tools such as Photoshop and Dreamweaver
• An eye for detail and ability to work independently by taking ownership of projects

Front-End Developer Skill Set

A front-end developer job description will require candidates to have a solid foundation of front-end programming languages, web development frameworks, and critical thinking. Here’s a round-up of the top skills that employers are looking for in front-end developers. 

1. HTML/CSS

The common markup language used to create web pages is called HyperText Markup Language (HTML). In contrast, the language used to present or display the HTML document on web pages is called Cascading Style Sheets (CSS). The structure of a web page is built using HTML while the layout, color, fonts, and style are created using CSS. Proficiency in both these programming languages is a key requirement of a front-end developer job description. 

2. JavaScript/Query

JavaScript (JS) is another crucial resource for front-end developers. JS is the tool developers need to add interactive elements to a website, such as audio and video, games, scrolling capabilities, and page animations. 

JavaScript consists of libraries like jQuery. It is a group of extensions and plugins that accelerate and simplify the use of JS on a website. Common tasks that call for several lines of JS code are condensed by jQuery into a format that can be executed in a single line. 

3. Frameworks and Libraries

Web development frameworks and libraries are collections of code that have been compiled to standardize and streamline development. Templates, tools, and other functionalities are provided by these frameworks and libraries so that developers do not need to start coding from scratch every time. 

4. Version Control/Git

Version control is a tool used by developers to manage projects and track changes. Git is a tool for monitoring and exchanging changes during development. For front-end developers working in a team, a solid understanding of both version control and Git is essential. 

5. Responsive Design

Users employ a wide range of devices, including computers, smartphones, and tablets, to browse websites. The web pages automatically adapt to the device without any additional effort on the user’s part. This is due to its responsive design. Some of the crucial front-end developer skills include having an in-depth understanding of responsive design components (like Bootstrap) and knowledge of how to use them in coding.

Additionally, front-end developers should possess soft skills such as excellent communication and problem-solving abilities for better employment opportunities. 

ALSO READ: How to Become a Front-End Developer in 2022: A Comprehensive Guide

Front-End Developer Education Qualifications

To launch a career in front-end development, developers need a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. A master’s degree in a related discipline is preferred. This job also requires a strong knowledge of web development tools and programming languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.  

Front-End Developer Experience Requirements

The job title ‘Front-End Developer’ typically indicates a candidate with several years of relevant work experience. The experience requirements for a front-end developer are listed below:

• Three to five years of systems engineering and IT support expertise
• Minimum of two years of experience developing modern, responsive, and cross-browser compatible websites using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript

Can a Front-End Developer Work Remotely (Work from Home)?

Within the context of web development, front-end developers typically focus on the user-facing elements of a website or app. They work on the front-end technologies that make up a website, such as HTML, JavaScript, and CSS. Therefore, all that a developer requires is a laptop and a secure internet connection to work remotely. So, if the client/organization has a work-from-home provision, front-end developers can work from anywhere, be it from home, a local coffee shop, or a vacation spot.

Front-End Developer Salary Range

A front-end developer’s salary in the U.S. depends on a number of factors such as employment location, organization, industry type, skills, and experience. As of November 2022, a front-end developer’s average annual income in the U.S. was $119,224. Salaries normally range from $106,922 to $130,083 per year. 

ALSO READ: A Comprehensive 2023 Guide to Front-End Developer Salary

Master Front-End Development Skills with Emeritus

Committed to ensuring that world-class education is accessible to all learners, Emeritus provides a wide range of online coding courses for professionals looking to expand their front-end development skills. These courses are designed by renowned global universities to offer in-depth knowledge and nurture in-demand skills needed to become an ace developer.

Write to us at content@emeritus.org