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The differences between front end developers and mobile applications developers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a front end developer and a mobile applications developer. Additionally, a mobile applications developer has an average salary of $99,257, which is higher than the $92,147 average annual salary of a front end developer.
The top three skills for a front end developer include javascript, front-end and html css. The most important skills for a mobile applications developer are java, C++, and mobile development.
| Front End Developer | Mobile Applications Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $92,147 | $99,257 |
| Hourly rate | $44.30 | $47.72 |
| Growth rate | 13% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 124,876 | 252,254 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 37 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Front-end developers architect and develop applications and websites through web technologies. They are responsible for the implementation of visual elements that every user sees and interacts with on web applications. They are often supported by the back-end web developers who are in charge of server application logic and integration. They must know CSS or HTML. They should be equipped with CSS processing skills, browser developer tools, version control, JavaScript framework, and responsive design skills.
A mobile application developer is responsible for designing programming applications for mobile devices according to clients' specifications and business demands. Mobile application developers must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, as well as computer system commands to develop efficient scripts and smooth navigation of operating systems. They analyze the clients' needs and recommend application solutions within their budget limitations and timeframe. A mobile application developer identifies inconsistencies and glitches with the output before submission to ensure its stability and optimal performance.
Front end developers and mobile applications developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Front End Developer | Mobile Applications Developer | |
| Average salary | $92,147 | $99,257 |
| Salary range | Between $68,000 And $124,000 | Between $75,000 And $130,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Lifetime | |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a front end developer and a mobile applications developer in terms of educational background:
| Front End Developer | Mobile Applications Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between front end developers' and mobile applications developers' demographics:
| Front End Developer | Mobile Applications Developer | |
| Average age | 37 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 77.3% Female, 22.7% | Male, 82.5% Female, 17.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 6.5% Hispanic or Latino, 12.0% Asian, 15.8% White, 58.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 4.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 29.8% White, 52.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 8% |