What to pay a front-end developer: The definitive guide
Working out what to pay your front-end developer comes with a few challenges. You could end up under-compensating them based on their skills or education or blowing through your hiring budget to match their cost of living needs.
That’s why we’ve created this detailed guide on front-end developer salaries. We’ll dive into US salary statistics, show you how to vet candidates to determine their skill level, and more.
How we researched this topic
We sourced most of our front-end developer salary data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wages report published in May 2023. The report categorizes front-end developers as “Web and Digital Interface Designers” under the code 15-1255.
Looking at the data, we gathered information on how much front-end developers earn across different industries in the US and how much they earn on average.
Key takeaways
Front-end developers in the U.S. earn a median annual salary of $77,030, with regional variations affecting pay significantly.
Experience is key in determining salary. Mid-career developers earn 30% more than their entry-level counterparts.
Industry type can impact earnings, too. The tech sector offers above-average pay compared to other industries.
Education and certifications can impact pay, with degrees and certifications often leading to higher starting salaries for front-end developers.
Non-salary benefits – like health insurance, paid leave, and remote work opportunities – add value to a front-end developer’s overall compensation.
Table of contents
National salary statistics for front-end developers
Here’s what a front-end developer makes on average in the US:
Pay metric | Annual wage ($) | Hourly wage ($) |
Median annual wage | $77,030 | $37.04 |
Mean annual wage | $80,790 | $38.84 |
Bottom 10% earners | Less than $40,750 | Less than $19.59 |
Top 10% earners | More than $146,430 | More than $70.30 |
Median salary vs. mean salary
The median salary is the middle point – half of front-end developers earn more than this amount, and half earn less.
The mean salary is the average, which can be affected by a few very high or low salaries. This matters because the median gives a better idea of what most developers make, especially since wages in this field can vary greatly depending on skills, location, and experience.
As a hiring manager, understanding the median salary helps you set fair compensation based on what most developers earn rather than being misled by unusually high or low outliers.
Factors influencing salaries
The following factors can influence a front-end developer’s salary:
Location. In states like California, where the cost of living and demand for front-end developers is high, salaries average $137,180. In states like Alabama, where living costs and demand are lower, the average is $54,470.
Industry. Front-end developer salaries can vary across industries due to differences in budgets and demand. For instance, the tech and finance sectors typically pay more, while retail or manufacturing often offer lower salaries.
Experience. Entry-level developers typically earn less, while mid-career and senior developers earn more due to their skills and ability to handle larger projects.
Education and certifications. A front-end developer’s salary can depend on education and certifications. While a degree might lead to a higher starting salary, skills like JavaScript or React, along with hands-on experience, can also lead to good pay.
Responsibilities and skills required. Typically, the more complex the responsibilities, the higher the compensation. For instance, advanced front-end developer skills in frameworks like React or Vue.js, back-end development experience, or previous leadership roles can lead to higher pay.
Geographic pay variations
The image above displays top-paying states for front-end developers in dark blue. Developers in these states earn an average of $97,900-$137,180 per year:
California (CA)
New York (NY)
Washington (WA)
Colorado (CO)
Massachusetts (MA)
States highlighted in the lightest shade of blue represent the lowest-paying states for front-end developers. On average, developers in these states earn $41,550-$73,90 annually:
Alabama (AL)
Alaska (AK)
Arkansas (AR)
Delaware (DE)
Idaho (ID)
Indiana (IN)
Louisiana (LA)
Mississippi (MS)
Nebraska (NE)
North Dakota (ND)
Oklahoma (OK)
West Virginia (WV)
Salary differences mostly come down to the cost of living in these areas. In high-cost states like California and New York, salaries are higher to match expenses. In more affordable states like Alabama and Mississippi, lower living costs mean lower pay.
Even transportation costs vary. Californians might spend over $5,000 a year, compared to around $3,000 in Alabama, thanks to cheaper fuel.
The cost of living index helps explain these differences. It compares the costs of basic necessities like housing, food, and transportation across the country. California is 41% above the national average, while Alabama is 10% below.
For employers in high-cost areas, paying more is necessary to attract talent. On the flip side, lower-cost states can get away with offering less.
But with remote work on the rise – particularly in tech-focused roles – these gaps are shrinking. Some developers in states with lower costs of living earn wages closer to those in high-cost regions.
👀 Looking to hire remotely? Our guide on remote recruiting is packed with helpful tips.
Industry-specific data pay data for front-end developers
The table below shows the highest and lowest-paying industries for front-end developers and how much they earn on average annually:
Industry | Annual mean wage ($) |
Higher-paying industries | |
Navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control instruments manufacturing | $209,320 |
Web search portals, libraries, archives, and other information services | $181,220 |
Computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing | $152,980 |
Securities, commodity contracts, and other financial investments and related activities | $134,360 |
Software publishers | $134,190 |
Lower-paying industries | |
Food manufacturing | $72,590 |
Beverage manufacturing | $61,130 |
Motor vehicle parts manufacturing | $56,060 |
Sporting goods, hobby, and musical instrument retailers | $55,680 |
Other textile product mills | $52,620 |
Apparel accessories and other apparel manufacturing | $51,870 |
Building material and supplies dealers | $49,810 |
What impacts the pay in these industries?
Industries requiring advanced technology, security, or complex software – like tech manufacturing, finance, and software publishing – tend to pay front-end developers well.
On the other hand, industries with simpler digital needs or smaller budgets – like apparel, retail, and food – generally offer lower pay for front-end developers.
Pay by experience and education
Here’s a general breakdown of pay ranges for front-end developers based on experience:
Entry-level (0-2 years): $55,000-$75,000 per year.
Mid-career (3-6 years): $75,000-$95,000 per year.
Experienced (7+ years): $95,000-$115,000 per year.
Senior/Principal (10+ years): $115,000-$140,000 per year.
Certifications or education that boost front-end developer pay
As front-end developers improve their skills, their work becomes more valuable. Certifications and education can boost salaries by showing expertise and dedication to staying current. Here are some examples:
Certifications:
JavaScript Certifications (e.g., Certified JavaScript Developer)
Cloud Platform Certifications (e.g., Google Professional Cloud Developer, AWS Certified Developer)
Front-end Framework Certifications (e.g., React Developer Certification)
Microsoft Certifications (e.g., Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate)
Scrum or Project Management Certifications (e.g., Certified ScrumMaster (CSM))
Education:
Bachelor's Degree in a related field (e.g., Computer Science, Software Engineering)
Coding Bootcamps with front-end focus (e.g., Fullstack Academy, General Assembly)
Associate Degree in Web Development or related field (e.g., Associate of Applied Science in Web Design)
Benefits beyond salary for front-end developers
Front-end developer roles often come with several non-salary benefits that make the job more appealing.
Health insurance is a common benefit, with most companies offering health, dental, and vision coverage. Big tech firms like Google or Meta cover a large portion of premiums, which helps keep out-of-pocket costs low for developers.
Paid leave is also standard, with developers typically getting 15-25 paid vacation days per year plus sick leave. Some companies even offer unlimited PTO to encourage a healthy work-life balance.
Retirement plans like 401(k) are often provided, and many employers offer company matching. For example, a company might match employee contributions up to 4% of their salary, helping developers build their retirement savings.
There are also professional development opportunities through training budgets for courses, conferences, certifications, and even free access to online learning platforms.
Many front-end developer roles offer remote work or flexible schedules, giving developers control over where and when they work.
Some companies offer wellness programs – like mental health support, gym memberships, or wellness stipends – to support their employees’ overall well-being.
Need help creating a compensation package? Our guide to competitive compensation will show how and where to start!
Improve your hiring process using talent assessments
From location and experience to the industry they work in, many factors influence front-end developer salaries. But knowing what to pay a frontend developer is only half the challenge – you also need to make sure the developers have the right skills.
That’s where TestGorilla comes in. Our talent assessment platform helps you objectively evaluate front-end developers’ skills, so you can confidently match compensation with proven talent. Mix and match up to five tests from our expansive library to create the perfect assessment for your position.
Here are some front-end developer tests you can use to assess your candidates:
Technical skills
React test
Flutter test
JavaScript (Coding): Entry-Level Algorithms test
HTML5 test
CSS test
Creating REST APIs test
Language-Agnostic Coding test (assess up to 20 coding languages)
Cognitive and problem-solving abilities
Attention to Detail (Textual) test
Critical Thinking test
Personality and culture add
Culture Add test
DISC test
Enneagram test
Ready to get started with TestGorilla? Sign up for a free account or request a demo today!
FAQs
How much does it cost to hire a front-end developer?
According to PayScale’s research on hiring costs for developers, companies typically spend an additional 20-30% of a developer’s salary on recruitment, onboarding, benefits, and other associated costs.
For example, if a front-end developer has a salary of $90,000, companies might spend an additional $18,000-$27,000 for recruiting, training, and benefits, bringing the total cost to approximately $108,000-$117,000 for the first year.
Do front-end developers get paid more than back-end developers?
Generally, front-end developers tend to earn slightly less than back-end developers. This is because back-end development often involves more complex tasks related to server-side logic, databases, and system architecture.
Are front-end developers still in demand?
Yes, front-end developers are still in high demand. Companies need skilled developers to create user-friendly and visually appealing websites and apps, especially as digital platforms continue to grow.
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