How to Hire a JavaScript Developer: Skills and Salary in US and Worldwide

What is JavaScript?

JavaScript is the most-used programming language, preferred by 67,8% of the developers, which is mostly implemented to develop dynamic websites with client-side interactivity.

In this regard, it is essential to note that most of the sites would have stopped working if one was about to “switch off” JavaScript. It was influenced by other programming languages, like Python and Java, because the founder aimed to make it convenient for JavaScript developers for hire and understandable for users who don’t have any programming experience. It has multiple advantages over other languages, so let’s see some of them:

• Even the person who is far from software development can easily handle the utilization of plugins and scripts written with JavaScript
• You can apply it to create different kinds of animations for your website
• It is supported by all operational systems, browsers, desktop computers, and mobile devices
• Widespread and constantly evolving
• One doesn’t have to install JavaScript applications on the computer for them to work
• Interaction with the application can be carried out even via text editors

Thus, you can’t overestimate the role of JavaScript for programmers because this language’s scope is surprisingly broad and is not limited by anything. Qubit Labs can help you hire a dedicated software team of professional JavaScript developers.

Now, it’s time to move on to reviewing JavaScript programmer salary, professionals’ duties, and knowledge required for delivering strong results.

JavaScript Developer Skills

Front-end 

Today, front-end development is among the most popular opportunities to enter the IT industry and offers a competitive JavaScript developer salary. Even though this position is quite in demand in the labor market, a large number of developers forces employers to tighten the selection of potential employees, thereby deliberately increasing the requirements for the position. All necessary knowledge and skills can be divided into hard skills, that is, technical, and soft skills – personal qualities. There are some basic requirements for this position:

• Knowledge of HTML/CSS
• Ability to implement responsible design
• Experience with testing and debugging
• Awareness of building and automation tools
• Grasp of CSS preprocessors
• Utilization of graphic editors
• Ability to work in a team

Back-end 

A back-end developer is a specialist who deals with the internal structure of a website or application. JavaScript jobs imply having cooperation between specialists, so front-end and back-end developers work hand in hand, setting server logic for external elements of the web applications. Here are basic skills a back-end specialist has to obtain:

• Fluency in server languages
• MySQL, the basics of working with databases
• Structural thinking
• The ability to plan a workflow and set deadlines
• Analytical mind
• Skills for working with large amounts of information
• Experience with version control systems like Git

Full-stack 

A full-stack developer is a universal specialist who can develop a functional product from scratch. Such a programmer understands both the back-end component (software and hardware part of the service) and the front-end (user interface). This type of JavaScript engineer usually has the versatile experience, covering the entire software development life cycle. A list of necessary skills includes:

• Understanding how server and hosting work
• HTML/CSS
• Be able to create a balanced data model
• Familiarity with relational and non-relational databases
• Ability to build client-server interaction
• Experience in working with layouts and markup languages
• Grasp of UX projecting
• Knowledge of PHP, Python, or Ruby languages

Questions to Check Hard and Soft Skills

It is often when a JavaScript developer’s salary depends on his/her interview and the general impression of a person. Companies prefer asking specific JavaScript interview questions for experience that make one think about solving certain issues related to programming and teamwork. There are multiple tech-related questions examples a JavaScript engineer is usually asked during the interview:

• Explain how does prototypal inheritance works
• What does the doctype do?
• What is progressive rendering?
• What is Hoisting?
• What is the difference between call and apply methods?
• What are the problems with Random?
• How to create an object in JS?

Soft skills, undoubtedly, are crucial for JavaScript developer jobs. A programmer who can cooperate with other specialists, effectively communicate with clients, and understandably explain the project is sought-after. There are some questions to ask the candidates to make them “open up:”

• Tell us about your favorite development environment
• What technical difficulties have you faced recently, and how did you solve them?
• Tell us about a project that you are genuinely proud of. What have you done to successfully implement it?
• What area of programming do you find the hardest?
• Tell us about the qualities that help you in your work

JavaScript Developer Responsibilities

There are numerous JavaScript jobs in companies specializing in creating, debugging, and supporting multi-format sites and web applications. Even a junior JavaScript developer could easily achieve significant success in one’s career in a short period because the IT industry offers numerous opportunities to prove oneself. To make it clear, we will explain what tasks are set for a JavaScript engineer in different areas:

Front-end

• The adaptive and cross-browser layout of sites
• Completion of existing projects, increasing their convenience
• Providing support for ES5 projects
• Work in the React/Redux stack
• Carrying out refactoring (code improvement and optimization) of existing projects
• Developing components by using Vue

Back-end

• Cross-browser and responsive HTML5/CSS3 layout
• User interface design
• Development of business logic and back-end system for product support
• Design and development of a unified library of components for designers and developers
• Code optimization and extension
• API creation

Full-stack 

• Providing technical support for all specialists working on the web service
• Drawing site layout
• HTML and CSS layout
• SEO optimization
• Correction and revision of ready-made source codes
• Handling negotiations with clients
• Analysis of system operation and project structure
• Finding and fixing bugs

Average Annual Salary of JavaScript Developers by Region

JavaScript developer salary usually depends on the country, the region it is located in, and the tech stack of a specialist. We have researched a JavaScript programmer salary to find out in which area of the world there are the most competitive wages. It is not surprising that a full-stack JavaScript developer salary is the highest in all regions because such professionals have to obtain skills required for both other tech stacks. North America and Australia offer good pay, yet, it mostly depends on economic stability.

Where to Hire a JavaScript Developer? 

In general, JS recruiting is based on multiple factors that have to be kept in mind the moment you decide to find a developer. Organizational context, as well as businesses’ strategic goals, are of crucial importance because different conditions of JavaScript developer jobs affect the projects’ outcomes. There are several opportunities to hire a specialist in the mentioned area, so why not consider them?

In-house

If you want to hire a JavaScript developer for your company, you can easily find one on any platform, like Glassdoor or Indeed. Such websites show the yearly salary ranges for JavaScript developer jobs by company. You can also search on LinkedIn by inputting “JavaScript developer” and setting up a filter (by profile language, location, and place of work).

Nearshore

You can find a developer nearshore, meaning that you will delegate specific tasks to employees from companies located in the neighboring countries. Such type of outsourcing enables employers to cut the distances and be in similar time zones with the developers. Some websites for finding nearshore specialists are GoodFirms, Clutch, UpFirms, and TopDevelopers and here you can check advise how to hire developers in Ukraine.

Offshore

Offshore IT outsourcing involves using third-party services located at reasonably large distances from the customer’s location (for example, a customer from the USA employs a team from Ukraine or India). You can find such specialists at Qubit Labs, Upwork, and Clutch.

How to outsource JavaScript developers?

One of the most rapidly developing areas in JS recruiting is outsourcing the employees, which is explained by the employers’ desire to save their time and money. IT outsourcing can become your advantage when it comes to hiring several skilled developers for the project, but there is no need to keep them on a permanent basis in your team. It is about cooperating with experienced professionals who continuously improve their skills and can sometimes deliver results beyond in-house specialists’ capabilities. For some projects, it would suffice to hire a freelance JavaScript programmer, but some companies demand more reliable ways of partnership, so let’s take a look at some of them.

Freelancers 

Certainly, this list can’t do without mentioning a freelance JavaScript programmer because there are thousands of profiles of such developers on different sites you can hire remote. It’s cheaper than other types of employment, but a bit risky. However, there are multiple platforms, like Upwork, Freelancer, Toptal, and Guru. On some of the mentioned platforms, you can check freelance web developer hourly rates to understand whether professionals’ demands correspond with your expectations.

Recruiting firm

This option is optimal as well because, usually, recruiting firms cooperate with companies that responsibly choose their employees. Thus, there are high chances of finding a suitable candidate in the short term. There are thousands of companies that offer such services, and you can find them on LinkedIn or even by googling.

Offshore software development center 

Being an offshore software center, Qubit Labs can assist in hiring dedicated team that will meet your project’s demands. We provide help in various aspects of team management, including integration, onboarding, payrolls, and back office. Our experience and reputation enable us to contact and hire top-notch JavaScript developers to join your team.

Salary Guide (Annual Salaries):

JavaScript Developer Salary in Big US Cities 

In terms of JavaScript developer salary, New York ($153,868) is more promising for professionals than Washington ($95,947) because it offers higher wages. In other states, wages range from $152,269 to $99,566. Although the numbers may vary in case you decide to hire a freelance JavaScript or use the services of recruiting companies, the delineation of cities is most likely to stay the same.

JavaScript Developer Salary by Country:

JavaScript developer salary relies on the location, so you might find outsourcing a more optimal variant than recruiting in-house employees. For example, a JavaScript programmer’s salary from Canada will ask for $120,000. The US’s average salary is $83,038 and $75,808 for the UK.

In world-known IT hubs, Singapore, Norway, Denmark, Australia, and Germany, wages exceed over $53,000 per year. In Spain ($44,696), Poland ($36,208), and Ukraine ($31,140), JavaScript developer salaries are lower than in the previous countries, yet higher than in Brazil ($20,811) and India ($7,908).

The Average JavaScript Developer Salary in Big Cities by Level:

The salary of a senior JavaScript programmer in the world ranges from $153,382 to $40,800. Speaking of mid-level developers, it will vary from $122,226 to $33,900. A junior JavaScript engineer will receive $26,400 to $85,785 per annum, depending on the country.

Like in other areas of the IT industry, experience plays a significant role in forming wages. It’s clear that a junior web developer’s salary will be relatively low because such specialists can’t handle a high workload and need constant supervision to be able to deliver acceptable results. However, you can’t say such things about the senior JavaScript developer salary because he/she is a person who can face any task, mentor other employees, and is the “heart” of the company. An experienced developer takes part in shaping the business’s general impression, so it’s crucial to keep one motivated and reward his/her efforts.

To Wrap Up

Therefore, JavaScript developer salary is affected by several factors, which, undoubtedly, can vary according to companies’ demands. To help you establish communication with candidates, we have provided some web programmer interview questions that will positively influence the process of finding a suitable candidate. Notably, although freelance JavaScript developers might demand lower salaries, their services aren’t always top-notch. However, you can outsource your team in another country, like Ukraine, and receive upscale services from local developers for a multiple times lower price than in the USA. In case you have any questions or need assistance in hiring JavaScript developers, feel free to contact Qubit Labs managers.

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