Find & Hire jQuery developer

Hire jQuery developers to suit your needs

Good freelance jQuery developers can be hard to come by, but you’ll find many of them right here on Yotewo. Whether you’re looking to hire an experienced developer for a short-term website revamp, or someone to be your go-to for all things jQuery, you can find the right candidate here, pre-vetted and ready to hit the ground running. Read on to get the lowdown on everything you need to know about jQuery and hiring developers with the technical skills you need on a freelance or permanent basis.

What is jQuery?

jQuery is a JavaScript library, intended to make JavaScript easier and more efficient to use when developing a website.

To understand what jQuery is then, it’s first important to have a basic understanding of what JavaScript is and does. JavaScript is essentially a programming language that was designed as a way of making webpages more interactive and dynamic, rather than static. When it first appeared in the mid-1990s, JavaScript revolutionised the internet, and today it is used by the vast majority of all websites globally. Along with HTML and CSS, JavaScript is responsible for the complexity and interactivity of modern webpages, from newsfeeds and video to interactive maps and catalogues.

jQuery was released in 2006, a decade after the birth of JavaScript. As a JavaScript library, it is a collection of already written JavaScript code that allows developers to save time on the nuts and bolts of web coding and instead focus on other more creative aspects of development. Rather than write out line after line of JavaScript code to achieve a simple task, when using jQuery developers can instead call the pre-written code with a single line. Aspects of web development covered by jQuery include HTML Document Object Manipulation (DOM), HTML event methods, animations, CSS manipulation and AJAX processes.

How widely used is jQuery?

jQuery is the most commonly used JavaScript library on the web, and is used extensively by many of the world’s top online and tech companies, such as Google. Though use has declined somewhat in recent years due to the development of new frameworks such as React, as of April 2025 between 70% and 80% of all websites use jQuery to some extent. It remains popular with many developers due to its ease of use, reliability and large support ecosystem, including many plugins.

Common jQuery applications

The uses for jQuery are as wide as the possibilities of JavaScript and the internet itself. Some common applications undertaken by freelance jQuery developers include:

• DOM manipulation – DOM stands for Document Object Model, and this refers to the hierarchal structure of the elements of a webpage. DOM manipulation is what makes dynamic webpages possible, changing things like the data displayed or the layout. jQuery simplifies DOM manipulation by making it quick and easy to select, add, modify and remove elements.
• Event handling – One of the keys to making webpages dynamic and changeable is determining how they respond to events that happen in particular areas of the page or generally, such as a mouse click or the submission of a form by the user. jQuery makes it possible to quickly assign what happens when an event is triggered.
• Creating animations and effects – jQuery’s in-built animation functions make it possible for web developers to add visual interactions such as transitions, fades and slides to a website, without having to write extensive amounts of JavaScript code.
• AJAX requests – AJAX stands for asynchronous JavaScript and XML, and is what makes it possible for a webpage or application to change its content without the need to constantly reload the page. Data is sent and retrieved from the server in the background without refreshing the page, allowing parts of it to be updated in response to user actions or new data.
• Form handling – Many websites rely on user inputs, and these take place in forms. jQuery makes short work of even complex forms, allowing freelance developers to focus on more important aspects of website creation and maintenance.

The above list details some of the main uses for jQuery, and these themselves are used by jQuery developers on all manner of different websites, from social media networks, news sites and e-commerce websites to search engines, streaming services, blogs, forums and professional portfolios.

Benefits of using jQuery for web development

One of the core benefits that jQuery offers developers and businesses is that it can save significant amounts of time, thanks to its streamlined handling of JavaScript coding for websites. It also offers much-simplified syntax for event handling, for cleaner code and improved website performance. Similarly, jQuery’s AJAX capabilities help to create a highly responsive user experience that flows smoothly.

On the whole, the library makes code easier to read when compared to ordinary JavaScript – something that is particularly useful when bringing on freelance jQuery developers who need to get to grips with a project quickly and hit the ground running. It’s streamlined nature also makes it easier and more efficient to update and maintain as needed.

The fact that it’s been around for so long and is so widely used also stands in its favour, as there is a very large ecosystem of jQuery plugins that have been created for web development tasks of all kinds. This means that when your jQuery developer hits a bump in the development process or needs to implement a specific feature, they can simply use a pre-existing solution, rather than expending significant time and effort in coming up with a new one. There’s also a large support community that can quickly be called upon in many instances.

jQuery and cross-browser compatibility

Another of jQuery’s most significant benefits is that it is compatible across browsers, meaning the same code can be used for Chrome, Edge, Safari, Firefox and other browsers, rather than your web developer having to write separate lines of code for each. This also means that users of your website will have a consistent experience, regardless of which browser or platform they use. So jQuery means less time spent and less headaches for developers, and a smooth user experience for your customers and website visitors.

How jQuery can make your website more engaging

Whether your selling products, providing information or connecting people, a website which offers dynamic content that people can engage with intuitively is likely to be far more successful than one which is static and lifeless. jQuery makes it easier to add on-page functionality of many different types, without the time-consuming process of writing every single line of code from scratch.

As well as introducing interesting features which promote engagement and keep visitors on a webpage for longer, jQuery animations and effects can be used to highlight specific areas of the page that you want users to pay attention to. Features like carousels and interactive infographics meanwhile can help you to convey information in a more compelling manner. Interactive jQuery elements can also be used to provide instant feedback to the user, for instance when they fill out a form, leading to an online experience that’s more engaging overall.

Reasons to hire a jQuery developer

Although jQuery is less popular for web development than it once was (thanks to the advent of newer frameworks like React and Angular), there are still many reasons why you might hire jQuery developers on a freelance or permanent basis. For example if you have a long-established website or web application which uses jQuery extensively you will need someone who has experience in using the library. jQuery developers are also still called upon to create smaller scale websites and prototypes which will benefit from the simplicity and expansive plugin ecosystem that jQuery offers.

Simply put, if your website makes significant use of JavaScript (chances are good that it does) and you want to improve or maintain the level of user interaction on the site, it may be a good idea to hire a jQuery developer.

How to hire jQuery developers

Whatever your reasons for wanting to hire jQuery developers, Yotewo can help you find one or more that will match your development needs and the intricacies of your particular project. Here you’ll find an extensive selection of experienced freelance jQuery developers available for ongoing and project work on a remote basis. We make the process of hiring developers simple:

1. Tell us what you’re looking for – Tell us a little about your needs – are you looking to hire a freelance jQuery developer for a short project, multiple developers for a larger project, or are you searching for a more permanent full-time or part-time arrangement. Let us know what level of experience you’d like your ideal job candidate to have, and whether you’re looking for jQuery developers who have additional skills that may be relevant to your project.
2. Get matched to a developer – Within 48 hours on average, we’ll connect you with an ideal pre-vetted match for your role.
3. Onboard your new hire – To help them settle into the role, we’ll offer you and your jQuery developer ample support during the onboarding process, helping to speed up the procedure and to eliminate downtime.

To start the process, simply tell us a bit about what you’re looking for.

What to look for when hiring jQuery developers

When it comes to hiring jQuery developers, having extensive knowledge of the library is of course a prerequisite, but there are a variety of other technical skills and experience you should also look for. jQuery does not exist in a vacuum, and most ideal candidates for jQuery development roles will also have comprehensive knowledge of JavaScript itself, and of other critical web development languages such as HTML and CSS. As one of the key benefits of jQuery is cross-browser compatibility, you may also want a candidate who has experience of dealing with these issues, so they can further align your website with functioning well on a universal basis.

As in many cases the web is accessed via a mobile phone or tablet device today, you can also consider experience of web development for these devices essential. There is a specially optimised framework known as jQuery mobile which is designed for touch-controlled devices, though it has fallen out of favour in recent years. Experienced freelance jQuery developers should know when it’s appropriate to use older tech like jQuery mobile, and when it’s better to use more modern mobile web frameworks.

If you’re looking for a long-term hire (or even a reliable freelancer for ongoing engagements), hiring a jQuery developer who also has knowledge of more modern JavaScript frameworks such as React and Angular may be prudent, in order to futureproof your website or project.

Essential soft skills to look for in a developer

As well as the technical skills and knowledge of the library itself, you should try to hire jQuery developers who have a variety of the soft skills needed to perform the role satisfactorily, and evaluate potential hires on this basis.

One of the most important soft skills for any web developer is communication. As well as being able to communicate with their direct superiors about what work needs doing, jQuery developers may also need to explain key features or website changes to non-technical audiences, so the ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing should be considered important when hiring.

Related to communication but somewhat separate, the ability to work well as part of a team is also essential. As well as talking through what needs to be done, being easy to work with, respectful and capable of working towards shared goals and taking accountability are all essential components of teamwork within web development teams of all sizes.

Strong problem-solving skills are also important for jQuery developers, as web development will throw up all kinds of challenges that will need to be faced, particularly during times of unexpected growth or in response to technological developments. If you’re looking to hire jQuery developers on a permanent basis it may also be wise to look for candidates with a willingness and a natural aptitude to learn, so that they can easily adapt to new web development technologies as they come in.

Tips for evaluating candidates

There are many jQuery developers out there to choose from, but finding the right one for your needs is important. When you evaluate candidates, how closely they fit your specific criteria can be as important as the amount of knowledge they have in jQuery. The following things are worth considering when you’re hiring jQuery developers:

• Technical skills – What is the extent of their experience in jQuery and what level of knowledge does your role or project need? Do they have five years, ten years or more? In addition to being skilled in jQuery they should also have an in-depth understanding of JavaScript. How knowledgeable they are in other web development languages like HTML and CSS can also be important.
• Past roles – How similar are their past jobs and experience to the role you’re looking to fill? It’s not necessarily essential that they have previously worked in the exact same field, but performing well in similar role is a good indicator that they will perform well in future. Strong performance in a significantly different role meanwhile may not always translate to strong performance for you.
• Soft skills – As detailed above, soft skills such as communication, collaboration and problem solving are important in any development role. When faced with two candidates, one of whom has more advanced coding skills but underdeveloped soft skills, and another who is adequate in jQuery but much better in terms of essential soft skills, it can be worth considering opting for the latter.
• Culture and attitude – All companies have certain values and work ethics that they aspire to and which they look for when they hire employees and freelance contractors.

Freelance or inhouse?

Whether you’re looking for freelance jQuery developers or a more permanent arrangement will depend on your exact situation, but there are some general pros and cons for each that can be considered more broadly.

Freelance jQuery developers can give you the flexibility to handle additional projects or workloads that require jQuery on an ad hoc basis, with no commitment or long-term costs. They can be very useful if you don’t have those skills within your organisation and need to onboard someone quickly. However because they have less in-depth experience and knowledge of your company specifically, a freelance developer may miss some details that a permanent employee would pick up on.

When you hire permanent jQuery developers on the other hand, you put constant access to jQuery knowledge and skills at your fingertips. Once onboarded, they will also have more in-depth knowledge of your company and the nuances of your website. The trade-off for this though of course is that the long-term costs and commitment will be greater, and you may have to pay for various employee benefits as well as their salary.

Whichever working arrangement is best for your current needs, Yotewo can help you find an ideal match quickly and without any stress.

Is jQuery still relevant?

In short, yes. Although its use has declined in recent times as a result of more modern JavaScript frameworks being available for handling things like cross-browser compatibility, it is still in widespread use and is likely to continue to be relevant for some considerable time yet.

jQuery developers are often hired today to deal with legacy websites and applications – the many, many projects that were built before the release of the more modern JavaScript frameworks. Rather than spend lots of time and money rebuilding these sites from the ground up, it’s useful for companies to use jQuery developers to update and maintain them.

When it comes to relatively simple website or application features that don’t necessarily require the use of a modern framework, jQuery is also still frequently used. And for prototypes and small websites, jQuery is often the quicker and less costly option.

What kind of features can a jQuery developer create?

There are many different kinds of website features that are made possible by jQuery. Some of the most common ones include:

• Animations – Such as changing navigation bars, scroll-based animations and moving text and images
• Menus – Including appearing and disappearing drop-down menus, and expanding accordion menus
• Infinite scrolling – jQuery is frequently used to dynamically load more content as the user scrolls, such as in social media feeds
• Dynamic image displays – Rather than simply displaying static images, webpages with jQuery can display rotating images and enlarged images on mouse rollover
• Form enhancements – Such as autocomplete, conditional form fields and user-driven field addition
• Drag and drop interfaces – Users can interact with the webpage by dragging and dropping elements
• Dynamic search – Real-time results can be displayed on the page as the user types their query

The security case for continuing to hire jQuery developers

Even if there may be cases for creating a new revamped website using more modern JavaScript frameworks, if your current website uses jQuery then it’s important to keep it update for security reasons, and that necessitates hiring a jQuery developer. If your jQuery code is outdated then there is a risk that outside actors might exploit known security vulnerabilities to gain access to your website, change its content, steal data or otherwise interfere with your company’s activities. Hiring an experienced jQuery developer with knowledge of relevant security issues will help to ensure that your website and your customer’s data remains secure. They can advise you on anything that needs updating, and carry out the necessary changes.

Even putting aside these security fears from malevolent actors, outdated legacy code should be avoided wherever possible, as it can potentially lead to performance inefficiencies or malfunctioning website features. A dedicated developer can help keep your website or application up to date and avoid these issues, as well as troubleshooting existing issues.

jQuery and the power of plugins

One of the key appeals of jQuery has always been its expansive and ever-growing collection of plugins. These plugins – additional bits of JavaScript code that have been added to the jQuery library – extend the functionality of the library in making it quick and easy to add interactive elements to a website. Created by many different developers over the course of many years, there are many different plugins available that an experienced freelance developer can use to improve and refine your website, including those that improve form handling, tweak user interfaces, make data input and visualisation more streamlined and optimise load performance or accessibility.

Pitfalls to avoid when hiring jQuery developers

Yotewo can take many of the risks and the hassle out of hiring freelance jQuery developers, but there are still some pitfalls that you should be aware of.

• Overlooking soft skills – Just because a jQuery developer looks great on paper doesn’t mean that they’ll be great in the role that you’re seeking to fill. As well as technical skills and proficiencies, ensure that they have the essential communication, collaborative and organisational skills needed to perform well and excel in the role.
• Neglecting knowledge of JavaScript fundamentals – In addition to having experience and knowledge of jQuery, it’s recommended that any freelance or permanent developer you hire also be well versed in vanilla JavaScript. If they don’t, then they may be less able to solve issues that come up and carry out debugging as need. This in turn can result in development delays and poor website performance.
• Skimping on costs – In jQuery as in life, if something seems too good to be true it often is. If a developer seems to be offering their skills for a price significantly lower than others, this may suggest a lack of experience or dedication to the role.
• Focusing purely on jQuery – In today’s development landscape, it’s likely that you’ll want to use other JavaScript frameworks and web technologies in the design and implementation of your website. Hiring a developer with knowledge and experience other web coding languages can help futureproof your online presence.

Writing an effective job description

Writing a job description is essential when you hire a jQuery developer. As well as helping to ensure that you attract the right candidates to the role, the job description will make it clear to all parties what is expected once the hire is in place.

Spend some time crafting a job title that fits the nature of the role and the level of experience the person that holds it is expected to have. For example, Senior jQuery developer, Front-End Developer (jQuery Specialist) or Junior jQuery Engineer.

In the description itself, you should clearly state the level of jQuery knowledge that the developer is expected to have, as well as any other proficiencies such as in-depth experience in vanilla JavaScript, HTML and CSS. Next, outline the key responsibilities and daily activities of the role, as well as any other expectations. You should also pull out any additional skills that are needed, such as communication and presentation skills.

Eliminate risk with pre-vetted experts

Taking on any new employee or freelance hire always introduces an element of risk to your operations, such as whether they will live up to expectations, or even if they’ve been honest about their skills, qualification and level of experience. When you hire a jQuery developer through Yotewo however you can mitigate much of this risk.

An essential part of our developer matching process is that we vet and verify all of the top IT talents on our books before they start with your organisation. This means that you can be sure that they are who they say they are, and that they can do the things that are listed on their resume.

If you’d like to hire a jQuery developer through Yotewo, simply tell us a bit about your requirements to kickstart the process and find the web development experts you need without delay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do developers still use jQuery?

Yes, though some of its usefulness has been usurped by newer JavaScript frameworks, many developers still use and are skilled jQuery. It’s still used in maintaining legacy projects and for simple sites and prototypes.

Is jQuery front-end or back-end?

jQuery is a JavaScript library which is used for front-end web development, that is, the part of the coding that is responsible for the user interface and the parts of the website or application that the user can see.

What’s the difference between jQuery and React?

jQuery and React are both JavaScript libraries that are designed to make coding in JavaScript faster, easier and more efficient, but React is more complex and uses its own internal framework to interact with JavaScript. React also uses ‘Virtual DOM’ to update faster. In general, jQuery is most useful for simpler elements of website interactivity, while React may be better for more complicated user interfaces.

What scripting language is jQuery written in?

jQuery is written in JavaScript, and is designed to simplify the process for many web development tasks in the language.

Is jQuery better than JavaScript?

As discussed above, jQuery is part of the JavaScript ecosystem so it would be incorrect to say that it’s ‘better’ than JavaScript, but it does simplify and streamline many tasks that are done in JavaScript.

What is a Document Object Model (DOM)?

A Document Object Model is a cross-platform tree structure made up of nodes and objects. It is what allows JavaScript and jQuery to dynamically update the structure, style or content of webpages, in a process referred to as DOM manipulation.

Can a developer learn jQuery without knowing JavaScript?

While technically it is possible for a developer to learn jQuery without first learning JavaScript, it’s far from recommended, and a solid understanding of the nuts and bolts ‘under the hood’ are often essential for working efficiently and in line with best practices.

Is it OK to mix JavaScript and jQuery?

Yes, in fact it’s quite common for a website or web application to use both jQuery and JavaScript. The jQuery library streamlines the process of using JavaScript in your website, but sometimes your developer may need to access additional functionalities by using vanilla JavaScript. For some operations, standard JavaScript can also be faster and more efficient to use than jQuery.

Is hiring a jQuery developer expensive?

How expensive a jQuery developer is will depend on a range of factors, including how many years of experience they have, where they are geographically (even if they work on a remote basis), and any additional skills they bring to the table. Other factors, such as whether you employ them permanently on a full-time or part-time basis or hire them as a freelance jQuery developer, will also have a significant impact on the cost.

What is jQuery Mobile?

jQuery Mobile is a framework designed for building mobile applications for phones, tablets and other devices, using a combination of JavaScript, CSS and HTML. One of its purposes is to provide a consistent experience across multiple platforms and mobile operating systems. As with jQuery itself, it has become less popular in recent years as new frameworks have emerged, but though the project is no longer updated it is still used relatively widely.

Is jQuery only for old websites?

No, jQuery is still used widely and is used to some extent on more than two thirds of websites today. As well as its continuing use for websites built around the jQuery library, it’s also still used for new websites that are not so complex, or for mocking up prototypes on the fly.

How can I be sure if a jQuery developer is reliable?

When you hire any new employee or freelance contractor there can always be an element of uncertainty. By carefully vetting potential candidates to assess their technical skills and experience though you can mitigate this to a large degree. Asking to see samples of code, past projects and references from previous clients or employers can help to prove their reliability, and you can also ask them specific questions about their experience. Fortunately Yotewo takes much of the hassle out of ensuring that any prospective jQuery developer is reliable, by pre-vetting them prior to the matching process.