![[Featured image] Two game developers working at a computer station.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/6wWAcNZk8DLcQkgSCwcJoE/4aedde7af4dd249e6abd4c6471b1b97f/Game_developer.png?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
What Is a Game Developer (and How Do I Become One)?
Learn how to launch a career in video game development.
October 11, 2021
Article
As an advanced front-end developer, you’ll develop high-quality, creative designs, and lead coordination and strategy for your team. The resources below can help you develop the skills to advance your career.
Grow your career in front-end development
LearnQuest
Skills you'll gain: Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP), Restful API, Web Services, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), HTML and CSS, Java Platform Enterprise Edition (J2EE), Software Design, Extensible Markup Language (XML), Application Programming Interface (API), API Design, JSON, Service Oriented Architecture, Software Architecture, Java, Web Design and Development, Web Applications, Front-End Web Development, User Interface (UI)
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Skills you'll gain: Jest (JavaScript Testing Framework), Version Control, User Research, UI/UX Research, Usability Testing, Responsive Web Design, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Data Structures, Unix Commands, HTML and CSS, Git (Version Control System), Persona (User Experience), GitHub, Interaction Design, Bootstrap (Front-End Framework), React.js, Mobile Development, Front-End Web Development, Algorithms, Web Development Tools
Build toward a degree
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Skills you'll gain: Bootstrap (Front-End Framework), Software Development Life Cycle, Browser Compatibility, User Centered Design, Cloud-Native Computing, React Redux, NoSQL, Git (Version Control System), GitHub, Webpack, Application Development, MongoDB, React.js, Agile Methodology, HTML and CSS, Front-End Web Development, JavaScript Frameworks, Development Environment, Version Control, Interviewing Skills
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
To advance in your career as a front-end developer, you may choose to deepen your expertise in the front-end, expand into back-end or full-stack development, or take on more leadership and mentoring responsibilities.
Moving up the ladder in front-end development means improving your technical skill set so your work is consistent, intuitive, and responsive across devices. You’ll want to be a strong collaborator and systems thinker who can deliver swift, high-quality designs that align with strategic business outcomes.
As an advanced front-end developer, titles include “Lead Front-End Developer” and “Front-End Development Manager” if you pursue the management track. Others may advance from “Senior Front-End Developer” to “Staff” and then “Principal” as individual contributors.
Advance in your front-end developer career with these resources:
Senior front-end developers make an average annual base salary of $117,389, according to Glassdoor. These roles typically require five years of experience. Salaries only go up as you advance, so a Principal UX designer makes an average base salary of $160,220**. Glassdoor. “Senior Front End Developer Salaries, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/senior-front-end-developer-salary-SRCH_KO0,26.htm.” Accessed February 1, 2024. **Glassdoor. “Principal Front End Engineer Salaries, https://www.glassdoor.com/Career/Principal-Front-End-Engineer-career_KO0,28.htm.” Accessed February 1, 2024.
To advance into senior front-end developer roles, you’ll want to demonstrate the following: Having a voice of authority on coding and design decisions, implementing successful architectures and design patterns, and teaching junior- and mid-level developers. Many junior developers advance into senior roles as they gain experience in these areas. Consider taking courses to build specific skills so you can get promoted or switch companies.
Senior front-end developers should have technical expertise and continuously build their skills in programming, querying, testing, and debugging—essentially understanding the whole system. They must have the soft skills to manage stakeholders, execute a creative vision, and present their ideas to non-technical audiences. Problem solving, communication, leadership, systems design, and strategic thinking are skills you should have in your toolkit.