Where JavaScript Stands in the UK Right Now

JavaScript’s been the backbone of web development for years – and nearing the end of 2025, that’s still true. But the UK market has definitely shifted when it comes to what employers actually want from JavaScript engineers.

It’s no longer enough to just “know React” or say you’ve worked on the frontend. The bar’s higher now, especially with more companies moving towards component libraries, design systems, and large-scale SPAs that need real performance thinking.

We’ve noticed a growing divide between developers who use JavaScript and those who engineer with it.

The ones in highest demand right now? Engineers who understand the full lifecycle of a modern JS app – from accessibility and performance to testing, bundling, and shipping. Companies are looking for people who can do more than make it work. They want devs who can explain why it works, and how to make it work better.

There’s also been a big push in the UK towards TypeScript-first development. If you’re still avoiding it, you’re narrowing your job options. Most of the teams we speak to have adopted it as standard – not just because it’s trendy, but because it’s essential for scaling apps with multiple teams working across the same codebase.

And let’s not forget about backend JavaScript. Node.js is far from niche now, especially in the fintech and SaaS space. We’re seeing a lot of demand for engineers who can work across the stack – not necessarily full-stack unicorns, but people who can jump between API layers, serverless functions, and frontend delivery without breaking a sweat.

The challenge? The UK market’s still a bit flooded. Lots of people list JavaScript on their CVs, but hiring managers are being a lot more selective. If you want to stand out, you need to show how you write maintainable code, work well in teams, and understand the bigger picture – like performance budgets, CI pipelines, and scalable architecture.

And if you’re hiring? Be clear about what kind of JavaScript experience you actually need. There’s a big difference between someone who builds slick marketing sites and someone who’s helped scale a React app used by thousands of users a day.

JavaScript’s not going anywhere – but what counts as “good” JavaScript in 2025 and 2026 is evolving fast.