The Day-to-Day as a JavaScript Developer
JavaScript Developers write JavaScript code that defines the behavior of the visual elements of a web application or web page and connect it with back end services. Sometimes, they are responsible for a whole website, including design. Other times, they work on only one component. They often work on a team of Designers, Front End Developers, Full Stack Developers, Back End Developers, Content Creators, and report to upper-level or project managers.
JavaScript Developers can find work in nearly any industry. JavaScript is the most popular language in the world and the basis of most web pages. They work at startups, corporations, for the government, medical companies, small businesses, retailers, and more. There are onsite and remote full-time opportunities for this skill set, as well as plenty of freelance potential. There are also a plethora of opportunities for JavaScript Developers who want to be self-employed. Unless they are working for a startup or as a freelancer, the JavaScript Developer’s schedule is a typical 40-hour workweek.
Each workplace will assign JavaScript Developers a slightly different workload, but typically expect them to: work on coding up a web page or application in JavaScript, test the code they wrote, field helpdesk tickets, design web pages or applications, learn new frameworks, review pull requests, or attend team meetings or standups.
What Skills Should JavaScript Developers Have?
JavaScript Developers must be proficient in JavaScript and at least a few JavaScript frameworks, like React.js, Angular JS, or Ember, as well as libraries, like jQuery and Backbone.js. They should also know CSS and HTML. All Developers should know how to use version control tools like Git and Git Enterprise. Basic search engine optimization (SEO) and Adobe Photoshop skills are not always required but are usually a plus for most employers.
JavaScript Developers work on a team and should have strong communication skills. They’ll need to be able to talk to non-coders about their plans and the technology they’re using. They should be an efficient coder who creates quality work in a reasonable amount of time. Technology and coding languages are ever-evolving and JavaScript Developers must stay up-to-date with the latest changes and best practices. Developers should expect to learn new technologies throughout their careers.
Learn the Skills You Need to Become a JavaScript Developer
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Coding
Coding is another way to say computer programming. It is how humans "instruct" computers through the process of designing and building a functioning computer program. Computer and web programs are built using coding languages like C, Python, PHP, HTML, JavaScript, and more. Coding can be used to create desktop, mobile, or web applications.
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Web Development
Web development is the practice of building, creating, and maintaining websites. Web development uses coding languages to build a website for the internet.
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JavaScript
JavaScript is an object-oriented computer programming language. It is mostly used for interactive effects and user experience enhancements within web browsers. JavaScript also has frameworks which allow Developers to quickly find and execute small chunks of prewritten JavaScript in a standard, predictable way.
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React
React is an open-source JavaScript library that is maintained by Facebook for building user interfaces. React is often used as a base in the development of single-page or mobile applications, social media style applications, and other web platforms.
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Node.js
Node.js is a runtime environment based on Chrome’s JavaScript engine, which allows you to run JavaScript on the back-end of a website (on the web server). Initially, JavaScript only ran in a web browser (the front-end of a website, also called client-side JavaScript). With the popularity of JavaScript, developers wanted to use it on the back-end, instead of learning another language such as PHP, Ruby on Rails, etc. Node.js enables developers to do just that, making JavaScript a full-stack language.
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Developer Tools
Developer tools are tools typically created by developers to do tasks like debug code, edit code more efficiently, test code, test interface, and more efficiently build websites and applications.
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Git
Git is a distributed version control system that is standard in software and web development. Git allows multiple developers to work on the same project at once or a single developer to keep track of changes. It also creates a simple environment to conduct A/B testing. Git is designed to optimize speed, data integrity, as well as distributed and non-linear workflows.
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Dev Bootcamp
JavaScript Developer Salaries
A JavaScript Developer in the United States makes, on average, $114,600 annually, according to Indeed.com.
Salaries for JavaScript Developers vary by region within the the United States. Listed below are some JavaScript Developer salaries for specific areas with the United States compared with the average national salary:
- U.S. Average $114K source n/a
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Miami, FL
$148K
source
+29.4%
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New York City
$133K
source
+16.7%
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Dallas, TX
$130K
source
+13.73%
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Fairfax, VA
$126K
source
+10.52%
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Orange County, CA
$124K
source
+8.39%
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Houston, TX
$123K
source
+8.04%
- U.S. Average $114K source n/a
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Washington, D.C.
$113K
source
-0.87%
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Chicago, IL
$101K
source
-11.3%
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Los Angeles, CA
$90K
source
-20.63%
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Alexandria, VA
$74K
source
-35.36%
Typical Qualifications to Become a JavaScript Developer
The education requirements for this role vary by employer but most prefer a bachelor’s degree in computer science or computer programming. A degree is not required, though, and hiring candidates with a coding bootcamp education is becoming increasingly popular within the tech and startup space. There are no necessary certifications or expected years of experience for this position.
Learn more about the requirements to become a JavaScript Developer
Searching for JavaScript Developer Jobs
JavaScript Developers can find work in nearly any region and any industry as JavaScript is the most popular language in the world and the basis of most web pages. They work at startups, corporations, for the government, medical companies, small businesses, retailers, and more. There are onsite and remote full-time opportunities for this skill set, as well as plenty of freelance potential.
JavaScript Developers can look for jobs on these job boards:
- Indeed
- Google Jobs
- Glassdoor
- AngelList
- Dice
- GitHub
- Authentic Jobs
- Krop
- Mashable
- Stack Overflow
- Startupers
- StartupHire
JavaScript Developers can find freelance and remote opportunities on these sites:
Tips to Become a JavaScript Developer
JavaScript Developers are in high demand, but you’ll still need to put in the effort to learn the necessary skills and demonstrate your proficiency, especially if you have no experience. That might be going to college, enrolling in a coding bootcamp, or taking online courses. From there, build a passion project. Most college and coding bootcamp programs will require you to build a JavaScript portfolio project, but if they don’t, you should definitely make a project you’re passionate about for your portfolio. Consider collaborating with a classmate or friend to show off your teamwork and communication skills. A strong portfolio will set you apart from the competition.
Once you have a solid portfolio and a good resume, network. Set a goal to make at least five connections per week on LinkedIn, more if you can. Connect with other JavaScript Developers, potential employers and Senior Developers, and Front End Developers. Other Developers will be able to point you in the direction of the best companies and job boards, and may even put you in contact with network connections of their own. Connecting with future employers and supervisors will get you some name-recognition that will help you stand out. Make sure your connection notes are genuine and start a conversation!
Any JavaScript Developer job opening will require you to go through at least two interviews if not three. There is usually a phone screening, a culture-fit interview, and a technical interview. Some companies will also require one more onsite interview or whiteboarding session with your future team. Mock-interviews are the best way to prepare for this experience. If you have a friend or a classmate who is willing to do mock-interviews, take advantage of that! If not, try using an online mock-interview service. In interviews, you’ll want to show off your technical skills, good communication, as well as your willingness and eagerness to learn.
What Job Titles Would a JavaScript Developer Hold?
JavaScript Developers fall into the category of Front End Developer. You’ll likely find many JavaScript-specific freelance opportunities, some JavaScript-specific full-time job opportunities, or full-time Front End Developer positions, that mostly code in JavaScript.
JavaScript Developers can look for these job titles:
- JavaScript Developer
- Front End Developer
- Junior Front End Developer
Additional JavaScript Developer Resources
- JavaScript Developer Job Description
- Best Cities for JavaScript Developers
- Is JavaScript Development Right For Me?
- What Degree Do You Need to Become a JavaScript Developer?
- JavaScript Developer Career Path
- How to Become a JavaScript Developer Without a Degree in 2024
- How to Become a Freelance JavaScript Developer in 2024
- JavaScript Developer Job Search Tips & Best Practices
- JavaScript Developer Job Outlook
- What Classes to Take to Become a JavaScript Developer
- How to Become a JavaScript Developer At Home
Related Careers
A JavaScript Developer is technically a Front End Developer and would most easily be able to pivot to that role. A Front End Developer builds the front end, also called client-side, of a website or web application. Some Front End Developers will update current websites to meet modern standards, create prototypes from wireframes, and use design comps to satisfy the needs of their employer or client.
They could upskill to Back End Developer, Web Developer, or Full Stack Developer positions by learning back end development skills. A Back End Developer builds the server-side of a web application and integrates front end development components. A Web Developer builds and deploys products using programming languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Full Stack Developers build web applications for both the visible front end that users see and the back end that powers the applications.
Some employers will consider Software Engineer and Full Stack Developer as the same job, but it will vary from employer to employer. Usually, Software Engineers create software for computers using programming languages, math, computer science theory, and engineering techniques. A JavaScript Developer can upskill to Software Engineer roles by learning some low-level programming languages.
Software Engineer is the most lucrative of these positions, but JavaScript Developers will most likely enjoy a raise by pivoting into any one of these roles. They can easily switch industries when moving into these new positions to give coding a new life.
Salary Comparison to JavaScript Developer
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Back End Developer
$158K
+38.16%
-
Full Stack Developer
$127K
+11.17%
- JavaScript Developer $114K n/a
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Software Engineer
$105K
-8.25%
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Web Developer
$81K
-29.27%
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Software Engineer
Indeed.com Avg. Salary
$105K / year
Glassdoor Avg. Salary
$117K / year
Software engineers use their extensive knowledge of user experience design, operating systems, and programming languages to develop software. They can create different types of software, from games to operating systems. After analyzing a client's needs, they design, develop, and test software to meet that need. Software engineers can be divided into two distinct career categories: application engineers and systems engineers.
Learn about becoming a Software Engineer -
Web Developer
Indeed.com Avg. Salary
$81K / year
Glassdoor Avg. Salary
$81K / year
Web developers build webpages using coding languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. They program functionality and identify/troubleshoot errors in code. Web developers can work on front-end development (the part of the website you see in a web browser), or on back-end development (the logic and database functionality that runs on the web server). Others work as full-stack developers, providing end-to-end (front to back) expertise.
Learn about becoming a Web Developer -
Full Stack Developer
Indeed.com Avg. Salary
$127K / year
Glassdoor Avg. Salary
$91K / year
Full Stack Developers build web applications for both the visible front end that users see and the back end that powers the applications.
Learn about becoming a Full Stack Developer -
Back End Developer
Indeed.com Avg. Salary
$158K / year
Glassdoor Avg. Salary
$89K / year
A Back End Developer builds the server-side of a web application and integrates front end development components.
Learn about becoming a Back End Developer