Report: Front-End Developers’ Skills in the US 2025

What’s Your Skill Worth? The Front-End Salary Breakdown You Didn’t Know You Needed

JavaScript developers of the world, gather around. It’s time for some real talk about your toolkit and what it’s actually worth on the job market.

At PayScope, we recently analyzed tens of thousands of job listings across the US to figure out which front-end skills are the most in-demand, and more importantly, which ones come with the juiciest paychecks. No fluff. Just cold, hard (and surprisingly spicy) numbers.
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TL;DR: Jest pays the best, but TypeScript rules the streets

We crunched the numbers on the top front-end technologies and frameworks mentioned in job listings. For each skill, we looked at how often it appeared and the average salary offered in jobs that asked for it.

Let’s break it down:

• Jest might not be the most common skill (only ~3,500 mentions), but it pulls in the big bucks - an average salary of $188,282. Who knew unit tests could pay off so well?
• TypeScript dominates the job boards with over 27,000 mentions and an impressive average salary of $173,232. That’s stability and money
• GraphQL also pulls some serious weight: ~8,000 mentions and an average of $170,814
• Svelte is a niche favorite with only 330 mentions, but still has a handsome average salary of $160,678
• Next.js rounds out the top five with 2,080 mentions and $158,918 in average comp.

So what does this actually mean?

Let’s say you’re a front-end dev. You know your way around React. Maybe you’ve dabbled in GraphQL or added a few tests with Jest. You’re not just writing buttons. You’re building apps, interfaces, and maybe a little chaos magic on the side.

The data tells us that:

• If you want to maximize your salary, mastering Jest or GraphQL might be your secret weapon
• If you want maximum job security and volume, TypeScript is your ride-or-die
• Svelte and Next.js are great if you love being early on a trend that pays respectably

But wait, why does Jest pay so well?

Simple. Companies that care enough to test tend to invest in quality. And quality usually means better pay, more structure, and higher expectations. If you can write code and test it elegantly? You’re rare. And rare gets paid.

TypeScript is the default now. Period.

It’s not just a nice-to-have anymore. TypeScript is officially the modern front-end language. Developers fluent in TS are clearly in high demand and with salaries over $170K on average, the market knows it too.

GraphQL: a quiet powerhouse

GraphQL might not be as buzzy as it once was, but it’s quietly become a key skill. The salary reflects it. With 8,000 job listings and an average salary that flirts with $171K, it's worth more attention than it’s getting.

What this means for you

If you’re already working in front-end, this data gives you leverage. Salary negotiation? Time for a raise? Trying to switch jobs? Bring the receipts. Point to real market benchmarks. (Like this one!)

And if you’re planning your next learning sprint? These numbers can help prioritize. Testing and typing may not sound sexy, but clearly they pay.

Quick Q&A:

Should I drop everything and learn Jest?

No need to panic. But if you’re already writing tests, lean in. Go deeper. Highlight it on your resume.

Is Svelte worth it career-wise?

Possibly. It pays above average, but the market is still niche. Combine it with more in-demand tools like TypeScript.

Why do some low-mention tools pay so well?

Because rare + useful = valuable. Fewer people with a niche skill means higher compensation when demand hits.

How do I know my skills are priced fairly?

That’s where PayScope comes in.

Upload your resume or LinkedIn, and we’ll instantly show you your market salary. Based on your experience, not just the buzzwords.

Tech moves fast. Salaries move faster. The smartest devs don’t just learn, but also check the market.

Try PayScope. Two clicks. Real numbers. No guesswork.

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