Beginning front-end salary?

Dec 22, 2021 15 Comments

I’m currently a sr. art director, 16yoe. 114k base, usually around 15%+ bonus. My job is fine, low key, no stress, good pay for the type of work I do.

Been thinking for a long time about switching to front-end dev work, as I’m just tired of the visual design grind and comp. I know enough html/css/js to build a website, even interface with a simple API. I still need to learn more vanilla JS, and frameworks/libraries like react/angular, and some other more advanced front end skills.

If I do make a switch, would it be feasible to expect the same comp as I make now starting out as a FE dev? If I take a huge cut in pay, I think it would be too hard to jump ship.

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TOP 15 Comments
  • Google
    mongoogle

    Go to company page Google

    mongoogle
    What's your total compensation currently? Assuming 130k tc, most FE jobs should be able to beat it. Having said that, switching from sr. Director to a beginner SWE doesn't seem ideal especially with 16 yoe.
    Dec 22, 2021 0
  • I’m currently doing a bunch of Frontend Mentor challenges to round out my basic html/css/js skills which I’m really enjoying. Let’s me focus on the coding and not the visual presentation. Any other suggestions for skilling up that aren’t just lessons or tuts? Even lightweight freelance stuff?
    Dec 22, 2021 3
    • I thought about Python (even tried it for a literal hot second). What is its usefulness when it comes to FE?
      Dec 22, 2021
    • Qualtrics / Eng
      YS0SRS

      Go to company page Qualtrics Eng

      YS0SRS
      You can build your own libraries, and besides you having Python skillset can even put you into Full stack realm rather than front end.

      Your alternative is to learn PHP but that’s much harder to learn than Python and lots of companies use JS rather than PHP these days anyway.
      Dec 22, 2021
  • New
    niPo64

    New

    niPo64
    No one cares if you know JS/HTML/CSS, React or anything else. If you can’t Leetcode, you’re not making 100k+.
    Dec 23, 2021 0
  • Cadence
    icopypaste

    Go to company page Cadence

    icopypaste
    Frontend devs make a lot, probably similar to other SWE positions. My friend is in TX and makes more than you. New grad.
    Dec 22, 2021 0
  • Qualtrics / Eng
    YS0SRS

    Go to company page Qualtrics Eng

    YS0SRS
    It would be worth to take initial pay cut. Your TC will increase at a high rate as SWE versus your current role as art director.
    Dec 22, 2021 0