Toptal is a marketplace for top CSS developers, engineers, specialists, programmers, coders, architects, and consultants. Top companies and startups choose Toptal CSS freelancers for their mission-critical software projects.
Giulia is a creative and detail-oriented freelancer with a passion for front-end development and UI/UX design. She has over six years of experience developing web applications for professional, academic, and personal projects. Giulia is a CSS enthusiast, and she is always learning new technologies. She is a good communicator and values empathy between co-workers.
Abhilash is a senior software engineer with 10+ years of experience, specializing in React front-end development for the past three years. His technical strengths include React, JavaScript, Node.js, Angular, HTML, and CSS. Abhilash's industry experience is backed by a bachelor's degree in computer science from the National Institute of Technology in Nagpur, India.
Mike has two decades of experience with all phases of development as part of an agile team; including gathering requirements, creating technical designs, developing, testing, documenting, and ongoing support. He specializes in a wide range of languages (C#, JavaScript, HTML/CSS), technologies (ASP>NET Core, jQuery, Sitecore), platforms (Azure, IIS, MS SQL Server), and tools (VS Code, Git, Node.js).
Diego is an information systems engineer with over a decade of experience developing and designing websites and web applications. He is incredibly passionate about front-end technologies like JavaScript, TypeScript, HTML, CSS, React, and related web frameworks. Diego also has excellent communication skills and worked on many global teams.
Ronen is a front-end developer with a decade of experience. He has developed cross-browser support for unsupported browsers up to IE9 enabled for JavaScript and CSS, led massive refactor projects of legacy web applications that used outdated technologies, and created pixel-perfect websites based on PSD designs. He focuses on optimization and looks for where code might break down. Ronen has published native mobile apps to the Google Play Store and Apple App Store and enjoys mentoring developers.
Ondrej is a skilled front-end developer who loves clean code and effective solutions. He writes well-organized HTML and CSS with a strong emphasis on atomic design and in-depth UI libraries for digital products. He has created beautiful eCommerce shops, education, corporate sites, and marketing materials. Ondřej's experience with JavaScript, UX, graphic design, and programming makes him a well-rounded developer. He creates visually stunning, pixel-perfect, and highly functioning products.
Jelena has been actively working as a front-end developer for about eight years. Her job includes daily usage of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Angular/Vue, jQuery, Laravel, and Git. She loves creating beautiful web pages that are optimized and working smoothly on all devices. Besides programming, she has also overseen the organization of work for some projects, which she loves doing. Communication between colleagues is key to building good applications.
Julien has 15 years of experience as a software engineer with a passion for building full-stack apps. He especially shines in designing and building innovative user interfaces. Julien has a deep knowledge of React and loves finding UI solutions using CSS. His experience includes a software engineer role with Amazon for three years, where he got to work on various full-stack projects, both back end and front end, and he became the "go-to" person for front-end work and advice.
Ken is a full-stack developer with a focus on front-end development with React. He has over 10 years of experience in web dev with HTML/CSS/JavaScript and 7 years with React and Redux. On the back end, he has primarily worked with Node.js, Django, Flask, and SQL databases like PostgreSQL, MySQL, and SQLite. Although not a designer, Ken has worked on UI/UX for several front-end web and mobile projects with UI frameworks like Bootstrap and Material UI, as well as from scratch with CSS and Sass.
Dattu has been building websites for 15+ years. He's been a front end focused full-stack developer for most of his career and recently specialized in front-end development with React, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. In the last three years, Dattu has led, coded, and performed code reviews on all the front-end development work of his teams and mentored junior developers. His enterprise experience includes Hearst, Altus Group, CBC Radio Canada, The Source, TD Bank, and Seneca College.
Lee is a seasoned front-end developer with a demonstrated history of successfully working in the information technology and services industry. He's skilled in CSS, HTML, JavaScript, OS X, user experience, and user interface design. Thanks to a background in graphic design, Lee excels at translating design mockups into user-friendly, responsive, and customized websites, especially for eCommerce.
CSS developers build websites, primarily focusing on styling, user experience, and cross-browser compatibility. This guide to hiring CSS developers details the most critical skills, interview questions, and job description tips to help you pinpoint the best CSS expert.
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Despite accelerating demand for coders, Toptal prides itself on almost Ivy League-level vetting.
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Testimonials
Tripcents wouldn't exist without Toptal. Toptal Projects enabled us to rapidly develop our foundation with a product manager, lead developer, and senior designer. In just over 60 days we went from concept to Alpha. The speed, knowledge, expertise, and flexibility is second to none. The Toptal team were as part of tripcents as any in-house team member of tripcents. They contributed and took ownership of the development just like everyone else. We will continue to use Toptal. As a startup, they are our secret weapon.
Brantley Pace
CEO & Co-Founder
I am more than pleased with our experience with Toptal. The professional I got to work with was on the phone with me within a couple of hours. I knew after discussing my project with him that he was the candidate I wanted. I hired him immediately and he wasted no time in getting to my project, even going the extra mile by adding some great design elements that enhanced our overall look.
Paul Fenley
Director
The developers I was paired with were incredible -- smart, driven, and responsive. It used to be hard to find quality engineers and consultants. Now it isn't.
Ryan Rockefeller
CEO
Toptal understood our project needs immediately. We were matched with an exceptional freelancer from Argentina who, from Day 1, immersed himself in our industry, blended seamlessly with our team, understood our vision, and produced top-notch results. Toptal makes connecting with superior developers and programmers very easy.
Jason Kulik
Co-founder
As a small company with limited resources we can't afford to make expensive mistakes. Toptal provided us with an experienced programmer who was able to hit the ground running and begin contributing immediately. It has been a great experience and one we'd repeat again in a heartbeat.
Stuart Pocknee
Principal
How to Hire CSS Developers Through Toptal
1
Talk to One of Our Industry Experts
A Toptal director of engineering will work with you to understand your goals, technical needs, and team dynamics.
2
Work With Hand-Selected Talent
Within days, we'll introduce you to the right CSS developer for your project. Average time to match is under 24 hours.
3
The Right Fit, Guaranteed
Work with your new CSS developer for a trial period (pay only if satisfied), ensuring they're the right fit before starting the engagement.
Find Experts With Related Skills
Access a vast pool of skilled developers in our talent network and hire the top 3% within just 48 hours.
The cost associated with hiring a CSS developer depends on various factors, including preferred talent location, complexity and size of the project you’re hiring for, seniority, engagement commitment (hourly, part-time, or full-time), and more. In the US, for example, Glassdoor’s reported average total annual pay for CSS developers is $80,718 as of August 4, 2023. With Toptal, you can speak with an expert talent matcher who will help you understand the cost of talent with the right skills and seniority level for your needs. To get started, schedule a call with us — it’s free, and there’s no obligation to hire with Toptal.
How do I hire a CSS developer?
To hire the right CSS developer, it’s important to evaluate a candidate’s experience, technical skills, and communication skills. You’ll also want to consider the fit with your particular industry, company, and project. Toptal’s rigorous screening process ensures that every member of our network has excellent experience and skills, and our team will match you with the perfect CSS developers for your project.
How in demand is CSS?
CSS is a fundamental part of web development—almost all websites use it for styling and layout, making it crucial for any web project. As a result, it is in extremely high demand: CSS is the second most used programming language among developers, with one in two developers coding in HTML/CSS, according to the Stack Overflow Developer Survey 2023. As websites continually evolve to offer more dynamic and interactive experiences, the need for professionals with advanced CSS skills grows. Moreover, the rise in mobile and responsive web design also mandates capable CSS experts who can create flexible layouts and designs across different devices. Overall, the continuous and growing demand for CSS makes it one of the most sought-after skills in web design and development.
How quickly can you hire with Toptal?
Typically, you can hire a CSS developer with Toptal in about 48 hours. For larger teams of talent or Managed Delivery, timelines may vary. Our talent matchers are highly skilled in the same fields they’re matching in—they’re not recruiters or HR reps. They’ll work with you to understand your goals, technical needs, and team dynamics, and match you with ideal candidates from our vetted global talent network.
Once you select your CSS developer, you’ll have a no-risk trial period to ensure they’re the perfect fit. Our matching process has a 98% trial-to-hire rate, so you can rest assured that you’re getting the best fit every time.
How are Toptal CSS developers different?
At Toptal, we thoroughly screen our CSS developers to ensure we only match you with the highest caliber of talent. Of the more than 200,000 people who apply to join the Toptal network each year, fewer than 3% make the cut.
In addition to screening for industry-leading expertise, we also assess candidates’ language and interpersonal skills to ensure that you have a smooth working relationship.
When you hire with Toptal, you’ll always work with world-class, custom-matched CSS developers ready to help you achieve your goals.
Can you hire CSS developers on an hourly basis or for project-based tasks?
You can hire CSS developers on an hourly, part-time, or full-time basis. Toptal can also manage the entire project from end-to-end with our Managed Delivery offering. Whether you hire an expert for a full- or part-time position, you’ll have the control and flexibility to scale your team up or down as your needs evolve. Our CSS developers can fully integrate into your existing team for a seamless working experience.
What is the no-risk trial period for Toptal CSS developers?
We make sure that each engagement between you and your CSS developer begins with a trial period of up to two weeks. This means that you have time to confirm the engagement will be successful. If you’re completely satisfied with the results, we’ll bill you for the time and continue the engagement for as long as you’d like. If you’re not completely satisfied, you won’t be billed. From there, we can either part ways, or we can provide you with another expert who may be a better fit and with whom we will begin a second, no-risk trial.
Gustavo is a startup founder and web developer with more than 17 years of experience. He specializes in building and scaling Rails and JavaScript apps and perfecting UI/UX design. Gustavo single-handedly created a video collaboration service used in more than 110 countries—years before Zoom or Google Hangouts existed.
As the Backbone of Web Development, CSS Experts Face Unprecedented Demand
The demand for CSS developers has reached unprecedented levels: CSS is the second most used language among developers, with one in two developers working with HTML/CSS. One contributing factor is the popularity of progressive web apps (PWAs), which rely heavily on technologies like CSS.
As the influence of CSS grows over the next 10 years—the US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 23% increase in web developer jobs from 2021 to 2031—the landscape of web development continues to evolve, presenting new hurdles and considerations for employers seeking the perfect CSS engineer for their teams. The hunt for a competent professional who not only has the requisite technical abilities, but also fits your company’s culture and workflow is becoming increasingly complex.
To navigate this complex hiring landscape, you’ll need a solid understanding of CSS programmer skills, responsibilities, and interview questions. This guide will equip you with the required knowledge and help you hire a top-notch CSS expert who will bring value to your team and match your company’s project-specific needs.
What attributes distinguish quality CSS Developers from others?
In the digital landscape, CSS experts are pivotal in determining a website’s user experience (UX). They are front-end (or sometimes full-stack) developers who transform the bare bones of HTML and JavaScript into visually stunning, user-friendly websites and applications. The best CSS professionals do more than simply make your website look good—they ensure it is accessible, responsive, and optimized for performance. But what separates a good CSS programmer from a great one?
Technical Skills
The foundational technical skills of a CSS candidate include a strong programming background (CSS, HTML, and JavaScript), familiarity with UI/UX and responsive design principles, and experience with performance optimization and cross-browser compatibility:
CSS fundamentals – First and foremost, a quality CSS programmer should have a firm grasp of CSS and its associated tools. This includes a deep understanding of CSS syntax, selectors, the box model, and layouts such as Flexbox and CSS grid. They should also know when to use various CSS measurement units and the differences between them.
CSS preprocessors – Candidates should also be comfortable working with CSS preprocessors like Sass and Less. Another option used by many modern engineers is CSS-in-JS (JSS), which offers useful APIs like styled components. These tools can make managing complex stylesheets easier and simplify CSS development, so familiarity with them is highly desirable.
HTML – CSS experts must know HTML to understand a webpage’s structure and apply styles effectively, as CSS and HTML work together closely. HTML defines a site’s structure and layout, and CSS styles the elements defined in HTML.
JavaScript – CSS programmers must work closely with JavaScript to manipulate CSS properties and create interactive user experiences. JavaScript enhances webpages with interactivity, enabling features like animations, form validation, and dynamic content.
Responsive design – Modern CSS engineers must understand responsive design in today’s multidevice world, where many users access websites from mobile devices. Responsive design ensures websites appear and operate efficiently on various devices and screen sizes, from smartphones to wide desktop screens.
UI and UX – CSS programmers versed in UI/UX and website design can guarantee a visually pleasing, smooth, and intuitive user experience—and generally ensure the final website aligns with the intended design. They understand the importance of layout, color, and typography in influencing user behavior and perceptions.
Performance optimization – The best CSS developers know how to write efficient CSS that minimizes load times and enhances the user experience.
Cross-browser compatibility – CSS experts should use concrete strategies to ensure the website appears and functions correctly on all popular web browsers.
Code organization – Engineers who write modular, clean code ensure the future maintainability of your codebase. One common best practice for code organization is using the BEM methodology.
Experts who have mastered these complementary technical skills alongside pure CSS are best prepared to create stunning, user-friendly websites and applications.
Soft Skills
A quality CSS professional possesses not only a wealth of technical skills, but also a strong sense of creativity, problem-solving abilities, a commitment to continuous learning, and excellent communication.
Skill
Motivation
Candidate Requirements
Creativity and aesthetics
CSS combines the creativity of art with the precision of science; a quality developer needs a good eye for design.
They should understand how color, typography, spacing, and other elements work together to create an intuitive user experience, as well as have creative approaches to solving design problems.
Problem-solving
CSS can be tricky, especially when working across browser types; problem-solving skills save time and frustration.
They should be able to troubleshoot and overcome obstacles, especially issues related to cross-browser compatibility.
Continuous learning
The field of web development evolves constantly and introduces new methods, tools, and recommended practices.
They should be committed to continuous learning, keeping up with the latest developments in their field, and consistently upskilling with the most relevant technologies in mind.
Communication
All software engineers must communicate effectively with team members, stakeholders, and clients.
They should be able to explain complex technical issues clearly to nontechnical audiences and be comfortable providing and receiving feedback (to facilitate continuous improvement and growth).
Vetting developers for these soft skills will ensure that you find someone who not only can write CSS, but also can use it to turn designs into elegant, engaging web components while keeping your team and stakeholders happy.
How can you identify the ideal CSS Developer for you?
The process of hiring a CSS expert starts with thoroughly examining your project prerequisites, the expertise required to meet them, and the level of proficiency you seek in a developer. Are you interested in building a simple website or a sophisticated web application? Do you plan to hire on-site or remote developers? Will you use specific tools or libraries that the engineer needs to know? Are there any design constraints they need to adhere to? Defining these requirements will help you understand the skills and level of experience of your ideal CSS programmer.
Junior, Mid-level, and Senior Developers
We can broadly categorize CSS experts into junior, mid-level, and senior developers. Depending on their experience level, they can take on different roles within a company:
Type
Experience
Skills
Independence
Ideal Project
Junior
0 to 2 years
Basic understanding of CSS, HTML, and JavaScript
More guidance and supervision required
Small budgets or simple projects (e.g., creating basic layouts or styling components)
Mid-level
2+ to 5 years
Deep knowledge of CSS and its associated tools
Less supervision required; contributes project ideas and suggestions
Complex tasks like creating responsive designs or optimizing performance
Senior
5+ years
Deep knowledge of CSS, related tools, and other web technologies
Leads teams and supervises others; makes critical project decisions
Big budgets and highly complex projects; leading a development team
Each type of developer comes with their own skills, experiences, and costs, and understanding these differences can help you determine the right fit for your project.
CSS vs. HTML Developers
The primary distinction between HTML and CSS engineers lies in their functions. HTML is like the skeleton of a webpage, and its developers are responsible for structuring the content. On the other hand, CSS is akin to the skin and clothes, and its engineers determine the look and style of the webpage (e.g., layout, colors, and fonts).
When you’re seeking to create or refine your company’s online presence, hiring an HTML/CSS expert who specializes in both CSS and HTML is an excellent strategy, as both technologies are essential when constructing websites and complement each other. A site built with HTML without CSS would appear unstyled and unprofessional, while a CSS site without HTML would have no content or structure to enhance.
An expert proficient in both languages can create a complete, functional, and aesthetically pleasing website, and many companies prefer to hire developers who have expertise in both HTML and CSS. This combination is ideal for projects requiring a custom, responsive design that ensures an optimal user experience across various devices.
Project-specific CSS Developer Tools
Finally, you should consider a candidate’s familiarity with the CSS tools and libraries that benefit your project. Some of the most popular available options include:
PostCSS – Extends CSS code using JavaScript plugins; helpful in maintaining and optimizing CSS code, particularly for large-scale projects.
Can I Use – Provides compatibility data for CSS features across different web browsers, ensuring consistent functionality across all platforms.
<css-doodle /> – Facilitates the creation of complex patterns and shapes using CSS; ideal for crafting unique website elements.
CSSmatic – Simplifies the creation of custom CSS gradients (e.g., with a gradient generator feature), enhancing the visual appeal of designs.
CSS Blocks – Helps create reusable and maintainable CSS styles; particularly beneficial for large-scale web projects.
EnjoyCSS – Makes CSS code creation and customization easier; especially useful for quickly creating and adjusting CSS styles.
Bulma – Assists in crafting responsive and modular designs, simplifying the development process.
Clippy – Generates clip-path shapes in CSS, providing a straightforward way to create complex shapes.
Autoprefixer – Adds vendor prefixes to CSS rules automatically, allowing for cleaner, vendor-neutral CSS.
Identifying engineers who can effectively use the right tools for your project enhances development productivity and website quality. Though Less and Sass are required developer skills for all projects, CSS experts may not need experience with all the listed technologies—you may select the appropriate ones based on your business requirements.
How to Write a CSS Developer Job Description for Your Project
Having defined the attributes of your quality candidate, you may now craft your CSS developer job description. Begin by outlining the tasks and duties your engineer will be responsible for and provide precise details about the various projects they will be involved in. List the required technical skills (e.g., proficiency in CSS, HTML, and JavaScript; familiarity with CSS preprocessors; and experience with responsive design) and any desired soft skills (e.g., communication, problem-solving, and mentorship abilities).
There are multiple potential job titles you may list for a CSS programmer, including “Front-end Developer,” “Web Developer,” “UI Developer,” or “CSS Specialist.” Choose the title that effectively captures the essence of the role and accurately reflects its associated responsibilities. For inspiration, consider these HTML, front-end web, or UI/UX developer job description templates.
What are the most important CSS Developer interview questions?
The interview process is a valuable opportunity to delve further into a candidate’s skills, experience, and compatibility with your company’s culture. Here are some of the most critical questions to ask when interviewing a potential CSS engineer, along with the desirable details they might include in their answers:
Can you explain the CSS box model?
The box model is a critical CSS concept, and a strong developer should be able to explain it clearly. They should talk about its four parts—content, padding, margin, and border—and articulate how they work together to define the size and positioning of an element.
How do you approach responsive design?
Candidates should be able to articulate the principles of responsive design and describe how they’ve applied it in the past. They should highlight approaches such as implementing media queries, fluid grid layouts, and flexible (adaptive) images.
Have you worked with CSS preprocessors like Less or Sass?
Preprocessors can make managing CSS easier, especially for larger projects, and engineers who have experience with them and can articulate their advantages will likely be more efficient and productive. A candidate should point to specific examples of using preprocessors and describe how they benefited each project.
Can you share a time when you faced a challenging CSS issue?
This question provides insight into the candidate’s ability to solve problems effectively. The developer should detail the issue, how they approached solving it, and what they learned from the experience. Expect them to be specific about how they troubleshot and resolved it.
How do you ensure cross-browser compatibility?
Different browsers can interpret CSS differently, leading to inconsistencies in how a website looks and functions. A CSS expert will be familiar with these issues and have clear strategies for testing and ensuring compatibility across browsers.
How do you stay current with the latest CSS techniques and tools?
The field of web development is continually changing, and developers must stay on top of the latest advancements. Seek out candidates who demonstrate dedication to ongoing learning, whether through online tutorials, conferences, and/or coding communities.
For additional technical questions, you may consult the following guides with questions you can ask and answers you should expect:
While these examples gauge a candidate’s technical skills, assessing a developer’s soft skills and cultural fit is essential. You may round out the interview with questions that provide insights into their communication style, problem-solving methodology, and aptitude for collaborative teamwork.
Why do companies hire CSS Developers?
Ultimately, hiring a CSS expert is an investment in the online presence of your business. With their combination of technical skills and creativity, CSS experts can create websites that look good and provide a smooth and engaging user experience.
CSS developers play a critical role in crafting visually appealing and user-friendly websites. They translate designs into web elements, implementing everything from layouts and color schemes to animations and responsive designs. A top-notch user interface is crucial in today’s digital world, where a company’s website often serves as a first impression for potential customers.
CSS experts also contribute to a website’s performance and functionality:
They write efficient CSS code to minimize load times, enhancing the user experience and potentially improving search engine rankings.
They ensure cross-browser compatibility, ensuring the website appears and functions correctly across all major browsers.
CSS professionals serve a variety of projects, whether you’re launching a new corporate website, developing an online portfolio, designing an e-commerce platform, or starting a blog. As the web market expands, finding the right CSS expert to refine your website’s user experience will give you an edge over competitors. With the insights offered in this hiring guide, you will be prepared to attract, screen, and interview the best CSS programmers who will bring your vision for your web business to life.
The technical content presented in this article was reviewed by Inam Taj.
