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The differences between front end developers and web application 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 web application developer. Additionally, a front end developer has an average salary of $92,147, which is higher than the $85,840 average annual salary of a web application developer.
The top three skills for a front end developer include javascript, front-end and html css. The most important skills for a web application developer are javascript, web application, and CSS.
| Front End Developer | Web Application Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $92,147 | $85,840 |
| Hourly rate | $44.30 | $41.27 |
| Growth rate | 13% | 13% |
| Number of jobs | 124,876 | 229,802 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| 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 web application developer is responsible for designing website and system applications following clients' specifications and business' needs. Web application developers utilize their expertise in programming languages and system codes, ensuring the efficiency and smooth navigation of the website. They also run multiple diagnostic tests on the output before release, identifying inconsistencies, and addressing incompatibilities on browsers and devices. A web application developer should be detail-oriented and highly-technical as this job requires excellent digital knowledge to manage complex systems.
Front end developers and web application developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Front End Developer | Web Application Developer | |
| Average salary | $92,147 | $85,840 |
| Salary range | Between $68,000 And $124,000 | Between $66,000 And $110,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Fairfield, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Lifetime | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Finance |
There are a few differences between a front end developer and a web application developer in terms of educational background:
| Front End Developer | Web Application Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| 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 web application developers' demographics:
| Front End Developer | Web Application Developer | |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 77.3% Female, 22.7% | Male, 80.9% Female, 19.1% |
| 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, 6.5% Unknown, 6.5% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 16.1% White, 58.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |