React Developer Salary Insights: From Entry-Level to Senior Engineer

What is a React developer?

A React developer is a front-end software developer. In this career choice, you would work with the JavaScript library React to build user interfaces (UI) and user experiences (UX) for modern web applications and projects. These could be small and simple or much larger, complex projects for enterprise companies needing mobile, web, or desktop development. Whether you are called a React developer or a React.js or React JS developer, you can expect to design, code, and test applications for web and mobile environments. 

If you are interested in web development and design, a React developer position could be an excellent fit. 

React developer job outlook 2024

Software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers are some of this field's most rapidly growing occupations. Top companies such as Instagram and AirBnB use React.

React developers work in the computer and information technology industry. While some regions, such as the United States and India, are seeing the number of jobs in the field grow, the United Kingdom has slightly dropped. In January 2021, React jobs accounted for 2.16 percent of all advertised IT jobs, whereas, in January 2023, they accounted for 1.03 percent of total IT job openings, according to IT Jobs Watch UK data. Still, React developer salaries rose by 16 percent  [1].

Average react developer salary in the UK

As of June 2024, the average React developer salary in the UK is £44,686 per year [2]. Additionally, Glassdoor reports an average supplemental pay of £2,233 annually, which could include profit sharing, bonuses, or commissions. This figure raises the average annual compensation for React developers to £46,919.

React developer salaries: Top 5 highest-paying locations 

According to IT Jobs Watch, London is the best place to find a top React developer salary. Within the top five locations are working as a React developer from home. Here is the median annual salary data of the five highest-paying locations in the UK as of June 2024 [1]:

• London: £52,583

• England: £44,000

• Work from home: £67,000

• West Midlands: £36,830

• Yorkshire: £34,610

Career trajectory for React developers

Many React developers first pursue degrees in computer science or a related field of study. Higher education can prepare you for an entry-level role and strengthen your CV. However, employers may also accept experienced workers and those with Professional Certificates in web development instead of a degree. 

The following sections outline the career path of a React developer from entry-level to senior engineer. 

*The following salaries are sourced from Glassdoor as of June 2024 [2].

Entry-level React developer salary and expectations

The average annual salary for someone with zero to one year of experience as a React developer is £44,486. Qualifications for entry-level React developers may include:

• Basic knowledge of object-oriented programming languages like Java, Python, and C++

• Familiarity with database concepts

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field or demonstrated technical ability

Consider expanding your skill set and earning a certificate in one of the above disciplines, such as Object-Oriented Programming Concepts.

Mid-level React developer salary and expectations

The average annual salary for someone with four to six years of experience as a React developer is £49,347. Qualifications for mid-level React developers may include:

• A few years of experience in front-end web development

• Strong understanding of UX and design principles

• Experience working on an Agile team with other engineers

• Ability to write modern and maintainable code

Senior React developer salary and expectations

The average yearly salary for a React developer with seven to nine years of experience is £62,437. Qualifications for senior React developers may include:

• Familiarity with data flows and component-driven architectures

• Experience building responsive, scalable websites and applications

• Ability to troubleshoot and report issues for short and long-term resolution

• Capable of translating non-technical business requirements into software designs

Although React developers typically focus on front-end development, many senior-level engineers are full-stack developers. Full-stack developers can work on an application's front and back end or server side of an application. With the Full-Stack Web Development with React Specialisation, you can gain important technical skills to become a full-stack developer.

How to obtain a competitive React developer salary

Although React developer salaries vary based on location, many software development positions are remote. Consider expanding your search to encompass in-person and remote opportunities when searching for a new role. Stay current on industry trends to be a competitive candidate. Trending skills and technologies can indicate areas of expertise that employers value highly. YouTube channels, social media, and blogs created by industry experts can be excellent resources for job seekers. 

Professional Certifications and portfolios

Another way to achieve a high-paying React developer salary is to find ways to demonstrate your value to employers. You can try the following to enhance your CV and obtain your deserved compensation.

1. Build a portfolio. React is an open-source JavaScript library, meaning that anyone can use it. Developers can independently use several open-source tools to create projects, applications, and websites. Consider highlighting your skills as a React developer by adding some of your best work to a portfolio. This will give you tangible evidence of your expertise to support your CV.

2. Earn a Professional Certificate. You can increase your appeal as a job candidate while gaining additional expertise with professional certificates. One example of a relevant course for a React developer is Google’s UX Design Certificate. 

Enhance your career with Coursera.

Ready to gain the skills you need to succeed as a React developer? Learn programming fundamentals and skills for developing mobile apps from the experts at Meta with the Meta React Native Specialisation on Coursera.