What does a front end developer do?
A front end developer focuses on building the user-facing part of websites and applications. They use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript (often with frameworks like React or Angular) to develop responsive, accessible interfaces that work across devices.
Their responsibilities include implementing UI designs, improving user experience, fixing browser compatibility issues, and working closely with designers, product managers, and back end developers.
In early-stage or lean teams, front end developers may work across the full stack. In larger companies, they specialise in the visual and interactive layers, often contributing to design systems or component libraries.
Key responsibilities of a front end developer.
Front end developers focus on building the visible and interactive parts of web applications. Common responsibilities include:
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Translating UI/UX designs into pixel-perfect code using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
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Using frameworks like React, Angular, or Vue to create dynamic interfaces
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Ensuring cross-browser and device compatibility
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Implementing responsive design and accessibility standards
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Working with designers to align development with visual expectations
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Optimising pages for performance and load speed
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Managing application state and component architecture
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Debugging issues and maintaining front-end documentation
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Integrating APIs and working with back-end teams for data flow
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Staying updated on front-end trends, libraries, and best practices
This role blends interface development with performance and accessibility standards.
Skills and requirements for a front end developer.
Front end developers create visual and interactive web application components. Employers typically look for:
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2–5 years of experience building user-facing digital products
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Proficiency in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and frameworks like React or Vue
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Strong understanding of accessibility, responsive design, and UX principles
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Experience integrating APIs and working with JSON data
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Familiarity with front end build tools and package managers
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Confidence using Git, GitHub, or other version control systems
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Attention to detail in styling, layout, and usability
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Understanding of browser compatibility and performance optimisation
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Experience working in agile or sprint-based teams
Most front end developers work closely with designers, back-end engineers, and QA to deliver intuitive experiences.
Average salary for a front end developer.
In the UK, the average salary for a front end developer typically ranges from £40,000 to £60,000, depending on framework expertise, UI/UX collaboration, and code quality.
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Mid-level front end developers tend to earn between £40,000 and £50,000
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Senior developers with React, Vue, or TypeScript experience can earn between £51,000 and £60,000
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High-performing teams may also offer bonuses for shipping scalable, responsive code at pace
London and remote-first roles in SaaS, ecommerce, and product-led teams pay top-end salaries.
Career progression for a front end developer.
A front end developer specialises in user-facing interfaces, interaction, and design implementation. This role leads into advanced UI/UX engineering or technical leadership. Career progression typically includes:
Junior front end developer
Builds components using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Supports more senior devs with design implementation.
Front end developer
Owns sections of the front end stack using frameworks like React or Vue. Collaborates with designers and back-end teams.
Senior front end developer
Leads component libraries, performance optimisation, and accessibility standards.
Front end lead / UI engineering manager
Manages front end standards, architecture decisions, and team development.
Head of engineering / CTO
Takes responsibility for the wider technology strategy and development culture.
System Developer
Electrician
Data Cabling
Electrical Improver
salary guide
Our UK tech salary guide.
Front end developers create user-facing experiences across websites and applications. Pay should reflect their skills in frameworks, accessibility, and performance optimisation.
Our 2025 UK tech salary guide includes up-to-date salary benchmarks, hiring trends, 2024 comparisons, and projections through to 2026.
FAQS
Front end developer FAQs.
Employers expect fluency in HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript, along with strong knowledge of frameworks like React, Vue, or Angular. Experience with TypeScript, RESTful APIs, and component-based design is increasingly important in modern front-end roles.
Yes. Building accessible digital experiences is a key responsibility — particularly for public-facing platforms. Front end developers should be able to use semantic HTML, ARIA attributes, and test for WCAG compliance.
By page load speed, usability, responsiveness, and code maintainability. Core Web Vitals — such as Largest Contentful Paint and Cumulative Layout Shift — are increasingly used to benchmark front-end performance, especially in SEO-conscious businesses.
Front end developers work closely with UI/UX designers, product managers, and back-end engineers. In Agile teams, they also contribute to sprint planning, user story refinement, and testing workflows.
Yes — many are expected to write unit or integration tests using tools like Jest, Mocha, or Cypress. QA support may be provided in larger teams, but developers are still responsible for ensuring clean and bug-free interfaces.
Developers often move into lead front end developer, UI engineer, or front end architect roles. Others expand into full stack development or transition into product or technical leadership paths.