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The differences between web designers and front end developers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a web designer, becoming a front end developer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a front end developer has an average salary of $92,147, which is higher than the $63,842 average annual salary of a web designer.
The top three skills for a web designer include HTML, CSS and wordpress. The most important skills for a front end developer are javascript, front-end, and html css.
| Web Designer | Front End Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $63,842 | $92,147 |
| Hourly rate | $30.69 | $44.30 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 13% |
| Number of jobs | 50,899 | 124,876 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 38 | 37 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 4 |
A web designer is a creative professional responsible for creating and redesigning the content and layout of websites. Web designers are required to meet clients and users to discuss the needs and goals of their clients. To create graphics, colors, and fonts, web designers usually use HTML coding to alter the website's layout. Web designers must build their portfolio by taking on unique projects for themselves and the people they know.
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.
Web designers and front end developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Web Designer | Front End Developer | |
| Average salary | $63,842 | $92,147 |
| Salary range | Between $42,000 And $96,000 | Between $68,000 And $124,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | NVIDIA | Lifetime |
| Best paying industry | Internet | Finance |
There are a few differences between a web designer and a front end developer in terms of educational background:
| Web Designer | Front End Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Graphic Design | Computer Science |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between web designers' and front end developers' demographics:
| Web Designer | Front End Developer | |
| Average age | 38 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 62.3% Female, 37.7% | Male, 77.3% Female, 22.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.4% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 10.4% White, 70.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 13% | 9% |