The Executive’s Guide to Node.js Developer Salaries: Balancing Quality and Affordability

Market Trends in Node Salaries

Node.js has gained immense popularity in recent years. Engineers prefer this technology due to its ease of use and active community support, while businesses can benefit from its scalability, advanced performance, and cost-effectiveness.

Here is the statistical data reflecting the popularity of Node.js among both developers and businesses:

• According to Statista, Node.js was the most used web framework in 2022 worldwide.

• According to the StackOverflow surveys conducted between 2018 and 2022, Node.js was consistently ranked as the top web technology used by professional engineers. However, it dropped to 6th position in 2021 but regained its place the following year.

• There are over 200 million active websites on the Internet, while approximately 2% of them are built with Node.js. This results in over 4 million active websites using Node.js.

• The largest companies in the world power their web apps with Node.js. Among them are: Netflix, Twitter, Linkedin, PayPal, eBay, Trello, and many others.

Node.js has become one of the most popular web technologies, resulting in high demand for relevant specialists. For example, Node.js became Europe’s most in-demand developer skill in 2022. Currently, there are over 93 thousand Node-related job vacancies in the US on Linkedin, 10,500 jobs on Indeed.com, and 2920 offerings on Glassdoor.

As businesses continue to adopt digital technologies and the request for high-performance web apps is growing, the demand for Node.js developers will likely remain strong. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment of web developers is projected to grow by 23% from 2021 to 2031, faster than any other occupation in the US.

These tendencies lead to a natural boost in developer salaries. In 2018 an average salary of a Node JS developer in the US was about $80,000. Last year the average Node JS developer salary reached $105,000 yearly, and the highest Node JS developer salary was in NYC — $112,000 on average.

Comparing Node.js Salary with Salaries of Frontend, Backend, and Full-Stack Developers

It’s important to note that while Node.js developers may have experience in full-stack development, not all full-stack programmers have experience with Node.js. Therefore, the salaries for developers may differ from those of full-stack developers. Full-stack Node JS developer salary worldwide is $76,000 per year, compared to the average salary of a Node JS developer at $81,000.

Node.js developers are often hired for server-side programming, the specialty of backend developers. Node JS backend developer salary is $70,000 per year.

And finally, front-end developers are responsible for the visual part of applications and often have a strong grasp of JavaScript, the underlying technology of Node.js. They tend to earn less in the web development industry — around $55,000 per year.

Depending on the project requirements, you may consider hiring specialists for these popular positions with a strong focus on backend, front-end, or full-stack development.

Salary Factors for Node.js Developers and the Relationship between High Rates and Seniority

When choosing a developer for a project, some may rely on high rates, equating them to a developer’s solid expertise. Indeed, a developer with years of experience and a strong track record in their field is more likely to command higher rates. However apart from seniority, other factors can influence a Node.js developer’s salary. Among them are location and hiring models.

Node.js Developer Average Salary: Depending on Experience

Node.js engineers with more years of experience typically command higher salaries than those just starting their careers. This is because experienced engineers have a deeper understanding of the technology, which allows them to be more productive and efficient in their work.

Before hiring, determining the tasks a developer will perform and aligning them with the expertise required is critical. The more experienced programmers you need, the higher salary you should offer.

Junior programmers typically have less than two years of experience and are usually responsible for working on lesser features. Depending on the region, you can count on a junior Node JS developer’s salary from $5,500 (Africa) to $71,000 (North America).

Middle programmers have around two to five years of experience and are responsible for more significant features. Their salary is generally 20-30% higher than juniors. Thus, a middle Node JS developer’s salary in North America turns around $101,000 per year.

The most experienced specialists with five or more years in the industry are naturally the most expensive. They are responsible for the most complex features and have a working knowledge of advanced web tools. On average, a senior Node.js developer’s salary can be 20% higher than a middle one. Thus, in the North American region a senior developer can make $125,000 per year, while the highest Node.js developer salary can reach $140,000.

To provide you with a deeper understanding, we prepared a rough estimate of how junior, middle, and senior Node.js developer’s salaries differ from region to region:

Node.js Developer Average Salary: Depending on Regions and Countries

The primary factor influencing Node.js developer salary is location. Node.js developers in larger cities and metropolitan areas tend to command higher pay than those in smaller towns and rural regions.

Key factors affecting the difference are the cost of living and regional demand for particular professionals. The overall regional economic situation also influences average salaries. Countries with a strong economy, high level of living, and stable demand for specialists tend to have higher renumeration for engineers.

Thus, the most expensive country to hire a Node.js developer is the US. The average salary of a Node JS developer there is about $105,000. In contrast, in Brazil, you can hire a developer for $20,000 a year.

In general, neighboring countries in one region with a similar economic area have close salary ranges. For example, the average Node.js developer salary in Canada reaches $90,000, which is quite close to America. However, there can be exceptions.

Let’s look at the worldwide comparison of Node.js developer salaries, regardless of the expertise level.

North America: average salary in the region is $97,500.

Latin America: a way cheaper region with an average salary of $18,500.

Western Europe: the average salary here is about $62,700.

North Europe: here you can count on an average salary of $57,000.

South Europe: average regional salary is about $41,000.

Central Europe: the average regional salary is $26,400.

Eastern Europe: the average salary here spans around $21,000.

Africa: the cheapest region with a $12,200 average salary.

Middle East: average salary here is about $44,750.

Southeast Asia: the average salary here rounds about $15,800 due to high paying Singapore.

Eastern Asia: the average salary is $42,000.

Oceania: average regional salary here is $64,000.

Node.js Salaries: Depending on Engagement Models

You can leverage three core hiring models: hire a freelancer, hire in-house, or reach out to a dedicated development company. Each of those models determines the level of the Node.js developer salary. Therefore, it’s better to consider all the peculiarities of each and choose wisely.

Freelance

Freelance programmers are independent workers, typically paid hourly or by the project.

This model is quite cost-optimizing as you don’t need to bother paying taxes, additional bonuses, or other overhead costs. Additionally, freelancers usually charge lower rates. Yet the model also comes with risks, such as lack of management over the work done and lack of commitment from the freelancer’s side. That’s why this model is more suitable for small projects or routine tasks.

Freelance NodeJS pay varies depending on experience and location; freelancers usually set their rates, including platform charges and taxes they pay, for providing services:

In-house specialist

An in-house Node.js developer is a full-time employee committed to the company’s projects.

Having a developer in-house provides a perfect opportunity to build and maintain the development process for large-scale projects. With a specialist under your roof, you control the work’s progress. But, hiring an on-site specialist comes with additional costs: taxes, bonuses, training, and infrastructure costs.

In this case, the NodeJS developer salary comprises several parts: regular hourly or base pay and additional pay. In the US, employers typically pay an extra 7,65% in payroll taxes on top of an employee’s gross salary or hourly rate. This includes Social Security and Medicare taxes. In other countries, the tax rate may be higher or lower.

The hourly rates of in-house programmers naturally differ from region to region. Here is a comparison of the average salary rates of Node developers without additional costs:

Dedicated Development Company

Reaching out to a dedicated development company allows you to hire remote dedicated specialists and fill in the gaps within your in-house team quickly.Dedicated development companies typically have a team of skilled and vetted engineers in-house. IT vendors can provide you with as many specialists as needed on a contractual basis. The cost for dedicated resources is usually higher than for a freelancer but lower than for an in-house developer. The dedicated resources model offers safe, cost-efficient, and flexible hiring where you only pay for the work done.
The Node JS salary of dedicated developers also depends on a targeted region for hiring  and  on the level of expertise.

What Other Factors Can Impact the Cost of Hiring a Node.js Developer?

We’ve examined the core factors affecting the average Node.js developer’s salary. In addition to the experience level, location, and hiring model you choose, other aspects can influence the overall Node JS engineer salary:

• Education level. According to Salary Explorer, the salary of a Node JS developer with a  bachelor’s degree is up to 58% higher than similar programmers having just a Certificate or Diploma.
• Broad skill set. Node.js developers with practical experience in backend and front-end technologies are usually paid higher. For example, in the US, a full-stack Node JS developer’s salary can reach up to $121,000 a year, while a Node JS backend developer’s salary is about $105,000.
• Industry experience. An engineer with experience in a niche or emerging development area, such as blockchain or machine learning, may earn more due to their specialized knowledge.
• Certifications. Engineers who have relevant certifications in AWS or Azure technologies may be able to command higher rates.

Watch Out for Low Rates: Why You Might End Up Paying Double for a Node.js Developer

In pursuit of budget optimization, some decision-makers fall into the trap of low NodeJS salary rates. If you have a fully-fledged project to develop, going for the cheapest option may save you money upfront, but could cost you more in the long run.

Low rates are full of hidden costs. Here are a few reasons you may end up paying more money:

1. Poor quality of work: drastically low rates often indicate a lack of experience. This can lead to poorly written code, bugs, and slow performance, which could result in costly downtime.
2. Security Risks: “cheap” engineers may not be able to implement security effectively. It can leave your system vulnerable to cyberattacks and data breaches. For example, poorly designed user authentication can make it easier for hackers to access sensitive data. This could end up in devastating money losses.
3. Project Delays: Node.js is a complex technology that requires specific skills and experience. Programmers with lower rates may not possess the necessary skills to develop high-quality applications or need additional time to complete tasks. This can lead to delays in project timelines and additional costs associated with extending deadlines.

4 Strategies for Hiring Node.js Engineers at an Affordable Hourly Rate

Looking for qualified specialists at an affordable rate can be quite a quest. However, there are reliable ways to hire a Node.js engineer without breaking the bank.

Offer Part-Time or Contract Employment

You can offer part-time or contract work if you don’t need a full-time Node.js developer.This can be a cost-effective way to hire Node.js engineers at an affordable hourly rate.

This is particularly useful for businesses with fluctuating project requirements, as they can easily adjust the number of specialista they need to meet project demands. Furthermore, part-time or contract Node.js developers can provide a fresh perspective on projects; they may have worked on different projects or in other industries, bringing new ideas and approaches to the table.

However, it is crucial to note that part-time or contract Node.js developers may not have the same level of commitment to a project as a full-time developer. This if expectations are not set from the outset, it can lead to communication issues and delays.

Businesses must ensure they have a clear contract outlining the scope of work, timelines, and payment terms to avoid any confusion or disputes.

Hire Engineers from Central and Northern Europe

Central and North Europe are often considered the best options for remote hiring.

These regions are known for their highly skilled IT professionals who offer their services at a lower hourly rate compared to North America (US, Canada) or Western Europe (UK, Germany). For example, a middle Node.js programmer in Finland has an average rate of $60/hour. In neighboring countries such as Estonia or Lithuania, you can hire the same developer even cheaper — about $40-55/hour.

Using Referrals to Aid in the Hiring Process

Referrals from colleagues, friends, and business networks can also be a great way to hire proven engineers quickly.

Your network may know a skilled Node.js developer looking for a new project. Additionally, they can recommend a reliable out-staffing company they worked with and were satisfied with their price-quality ratio.

You can access platforms like Clutch or DesignRush to find the company that fully meets your needs. On these platforms, you can find independent reviews from previous clients to make sure the vendor is trustworthy.

Consider a Dedicated Development Company

Contacting a dedicated development company is an optimal way to hire Node.js professionals fast without compromising the quality of engineers.

IT vendors usually specialize in providing high-quality development services and staff augmentation. They have a team of pre-vetted specialists with different seniority levels and rates. There is no need to spend weeks searching for a best-fit developer — the company will find you a perfect match according to your requirements.

Another distinctive advantage of hiring dedicated Node.js developers is immense flexibility: you can scale resources up or down without worrying about long-term commitments.

Hiring a dedicated developer, you may not bother with additional costs — you pay only for the tasks done by a developer. The vendor covers taxes, bonuses, sick leave, and other overhead payments.  

And most importantly, dedicated engineers usually come with lower hourly rates. Thus, in-house middle and senior developers may cost you $80- $150/hour in the US or Canada. On the other hand, you can hire remote developers with the same expertise, for example, in Poland or Lithuania with an average hourly rate of $35-$70.

Find Appropriate Node.js Developers and Save Budget with JayDevs

JayDevs is a verified IT vendor providing remote dedicated developers of the highest expertise. We provide vetted middle and senior Node.js developers who’ll seamlessly integrate into your team and speed up the development process. By hiring with JayDevs, you can enjoy multiple benefits.

Cost-effective

With JayDevs, you can cast aside your doubts about how to save money on a Node.js developer salary. Our company can provide middle Node.js developers starting at $38/hour. Hiring senior and lead specialists will cost $49-66/hour.

No hidden costs

You don’t pay extra money for hiring or for the work done. You pay strictly for hours spent by engineers on tasks. Additionally, we provide three flexible engagement models that determine the model of payments: Time & Material, Fixed Price, and Dedicated resources.

Flexible and involved

When working with clients, we follow the paradigm of effective cooperation. Our engineers become a fully-fledged part of your growing team, sharing their ideas on project improvements and ready to go the extra mile if necessary.

Professionals quickly

93% of our engineers are senior professionals with 7+ years of industry experience. As soon as you contact us, we analyze your requirements and provide you with CVs and rates of candidates. When you find your perfect fit — they can start working on a project in 7 days.  

Hire engineers globally

JayDevs is a Lithuanian-based dedicated software development company. Apart from Lithuania, our engineers work remotely from countries such as Georgia, Poland, Spain, etc. Such an option does not limit you to one region and provides more hiring opportunities.

Conclusion

The demand for Node.js technology continues to expand and organically boosts the Node JS developer’s salary worldwide. This makes hiring a skilled professional at an optimal cost quite daunting. However, with the right approach, it is possible to find the perfect candidate while saving the budget.

Interested companies should prioritize their needs and consider the core pillars that influence Node.js developer salary: location, hiring models, and experience level.

The freelancers are the cheapest ones. Hiring them may be the go-to option for small projects. In-house specialists are the most costly and are suited for large-scale projects. By hiring remote dedicated developers you get the benefits of both. Opting for dedicated resources, you hire professionals at reasonable hourly rates for projects of any complexity while eliminating the need to pay overhead costs.

To optimize overall costs, you may consider hiring dedicated developers in European countries such as Lithuania, Poland, Georgia, etc. This allows you to find middle and senior specialists at affordable hourly rates of $35-$70.