AEM Front End Developer: Salary, Skills, & Responsibilities

An AEM Front End Developer in India earns an average salary of ₹8.5 LPA, with experienced professionals going beyond ₹12 LPA. Core skills include HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Sightly (HTL), and working with Adobe Experience Manager components. Responsibilities range from building responsive UI components to collaborating with backend teams. 

This blog cuts through the clutter to tell you exactly what skills matter, what companies expect, and why this role is a solid career move! 

What is an AEM Front End Developer?

An AEM Front End Developer is a highly specialized engineer who transforms complex digital experiences into pixel-perfect, responsive front-end components using Adobe Experience Manager. 

They bridge the gap between static design and dynamic content delivery. This is done by employing technologies like HTL (Sightly), AEM client libraries, HTML/CSS, JavaScript (ES6+), and tools like Storybook for component documentation. 

Build enterprise-ready front-end skills with these upGrad courses tailored for modern AEM development success.

• AI-Powered Full Stack Development Course by IIITB
• Master of Design in User Experience
• Professional Certificate Program in Cloud Computing and DevOps

At Okta, a global identity management company, Senior AEM Front End Developers build marketing interfaces for over 100 million monthly visits. They turn Figma designs into AEM components. They integrate backend services, use caching for faster load times, and ensure WCAG 2.1 accessibility. All of this happens within the AEM ecosystem.

To truly understand the role, we need to break down the core responsibilities of an AEM Front End Developer.

AEM Front End Developer Core Responsibilities

Knowing what an AEM Front End Developer actually does helps avoid confusion between job titles and day-to-day tasks. This clarity is useful whether you're writing code, hiring for the role, or building out a project team. It ensures technical alignment across design, development, and delivery.

Responsibilities include: 

• Build AEM components using HTL (Sightly)
  Example: Creating a reusable product card for an e-commerce site.
• Write modular CSS and JavaScript
  Example: Styling navigation bars and writing scripts for interactive elements.
• Connect front-end components to Sling Models and APIs
  Example: Displaying personalized user data from backend services.
• Work with AEM Templates and Dialogs
  Example: Letting content authors choose banner layouts or CTA buttons from the AEM authoring interface.
• Ensure performance through lazy loading and caching
  Example: Deferring image loads on scroll and using dispatcher cache.
• Follow WCAG 2.1 accessibility guidelines
  Example: Adding ARIA roles and keyboard support to carousels and forms.
• Use Git and CI tools like Jenkins
  Example: Pushing feature branches and reviewing front end pipelines.
• Collaborate with designers and AEM back end developers
  Example: Converting Figma designs and syncing component logic with backend Sling Models.

Also Read: UI Developer Resume: Best Templates & Front-End Skills

To handle these responsibilities well, you need a solid mix of technical and collaborative skills. Let’s take a look at them in detail. 

Must-Have Skills for AEM Front End Developers

Missing key skills as an AEM Front End Developer can lead to broken components, poor performance, and inaccessible interfaces. Without HTL, JavaScript, or CSS expertise, UI elements may not render correctly. Lacking collaboration or problem-solving skills can slow down delivery and block releases.

Let’s break this down into the two core areas you need to focus on. 

Technical Skills

AEM Front End Developers need strong technical skills to build components that actually work, load fast, and match design expectations. Without them, even basic tasks like rendering a banner or loading user data can break the page. 

Let’s get into the technical skills every AEM Front End Developer needs to build reliable, maintainable, and high-performing components.

• HTL (Sightly)
  Used to create AEM components with clean separation of logic and markup. Example: Displaying product data with conditional rendering.
• JavaScript (ES6+)
  Shifting between sections of content without the need to reload the page. Example: Several AEM developers use ReactJS for hybrid or headless implementations when a need for dynamic UIs. 
• CSS and SASS
  Styles components to match design systems. Example: Responsive grids for content cards on both mobile and desktop devices.
• Client Libraries in AEM
  Organizes and manages CSS/JS files. Example: Loading styles only when a component is used to reduce load time.
• Sling Models and JSON Exporter
  Connects front end with AEM back end. Example: Binding author-configured content, such as titles, images, and links, into a carousel and understanding the functionality of Node.js services or APIs for streamlined integration. 
• Git
  Manages version control and code reviews. Example: Creating branches for new features and resolving merge conflicts.
• CI Tools (like Jenkins)
  Runs tests and builds automatically. Example: Deploying AEM front-end changes after successful pipeline execution.

Soft Skills

Strong code means little if collaboration breaks down or deadlines are missed. Without soft skills, an AEM Front End Developer might struggle to communicate with designers, coordinate with back end teams, or handle feedback under pressure.

Let’s look at the soft skills every AEM Front End Developer needs to work effectively across teams and projects.

• Communication
  Helps translate design specs, explain technical limits, and report blockers. Example: Clarifying how a component behaves on different screen sizes.
• Collaboration
  Keeps work aligned across UI, content, and back end teams. Example: Syncing with UX and QA to ensure consistent release cycles.
• Problem-Solving Skills
  Reduces delays caused by bugs or missed requirements. Example: Debugging in coding is a common issue caused by missing dialog configuration.
• Time Management
  Avoids missed deadlines and rushed code. Example: Breaking component development into clear sprints and test cycles.
• Attention to Detail
  Prevents UI mismatches and accessibility issues. Example: Matching font weights and color contrast exactly as per the brand guidelines.

Read More: 16 Top Time Management Techniques And Tools For 2025: Features And Benefits

Now  you know what an AEM Front End Developer needs to do, and the skills it takes to do it well. Let’s look at what the role pays and where the demand is highest.

AEM Front End Developer Salary Insights (2025)

An AEM Front End Developer’s salary in 2025 is determined by a few clear technical and market-driven factors. Developers with AEM Cloud Service experience typically earn 20–30% more than those working on older setups like AEM 6.5, as demand for cloud-native skills grows. 

Location, certifications, and whether they’ve worked on large-scale deployments also play a role.

With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at the role-wise salary breakdown. 

(Source: Glassdoor, AmbitionBox)

Also Read: 40+ Top AEM Interview Questions and Answers for Career Success in 2025

Conclusion

AEM Front End Developers must know HTL, Sling Models, JavaScript, responsive design, and how to build author-friendly components. Their key responsibilities include UI development, API integration, accessibility, and cross-team collaboration. At Cognizant, skilled AEM Developers earn between ₹10–25 LPA depending on experience. 

If you're aiming for roles like this, upGrad’s courses offer hands-on AEM training, real-world projects, and the exact skills top companies are looking for. 

To help you get started, here are some additional upGrad courses tailored for AEM and front-end development:

• Generative AI Mastery Certificate for Software Development
• React.js For Beginners
• Core Java Basics

For personalised guidance or a closer look at how these programs align with your goals, visit your nearest upGrad offline centre or contact us now! 

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