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Any JavaScript developer will tell you that a fair salary leads to better work. Despite this, many devs are underpaid, and so they are jumping from job to job. The tech sector has the highest turnover rate, and losing good employees is costing businesses money. What should you be earning? Check out some of the current hiring trends for JavaScript developers in 2020.

JavaScript continues its reputation as simultaneously both a loved and dreaded language, blurring the thin line between love and hate. The CodinGame 2020 developer survey revealed JS as the second most loved language, but the third most dreaded.

Is his high salary of the developer a reason to love JS?

Eric Elliott, the editor of JavaScript Scene, published an article diving into the average JavaScript developer hiring trends for 2020. Let’s go through what it reveals.

While Dice Insights named C++ as the most in-demand programming language, JavaScript is essential, with an estimated 11 million devs actively using it (or languages that compile to JS). Currently, on Indeed.com, there are over 29,000 open jobs looking for a JS dev in the US.

According to Indeed.com, the average JavaScript developer in the United States earns an annual salary of $114,986.

Salary is, of course, one of the main reasons that developers not only choose their jobs, but one of the reasons that they change jobs as well.

While it sounds obvious to developers, a fair salary leads to happier employees, which leads to a higher retention rate. Providing a yearly salary increase is also a must.

The allure of remote work is a reality for 12% of software developers. With no rush hour traffic, no loud co-workers, no open office plans, and no need to physically relocate to an expensive city, it’s no wonder that most devs prefer working remotely.

For 31.7% of developers, remote work options are the most important factor when deciding between jobs. The younger generation, in particular, expresses a desire to work remotely. A survey of 22,970 American undergrads revealed that 72% would prefer a remote job instead of an on-site office job.

A report from OWLLabs claimed that remote workers earn higher wages compared to on-site workers. According to the survey results, 26% of remote workers earn more than $100,000 a year, whereas only 8% of on-site workers earn a salary in that bracket.

Money isn’t the only increased factor. Remote work boosts employee happiness and productivity, leading to better retention. Offering the potential to work remotely offers businesses a hiring edge.

For developers seeking a position at a location that doesn’t offer remote work, try opening up the possibility by presenting the data behind it. It could help out in your favor and convince your employer.

Software developers change jobs often. According to a 2018 report from LinkedIn, the tech sector has the highest rate of talent turnover. The 2019 Stack Overflow dev survey revealed that 60% of developers changed jobs less than 2 years ago.

According to Eric Elliot, retaining developers pays off in the end.

The longer you retain a developer, the more valuable they become. Losing a developer can cost you 90% of the annual salary in lost productivity, recruiting, training, and onbarding, and potentially significantly more in opportunity costs (over 200% for senior, leadership, or executive talent).

It comes as no surprise to any developer, but one of the biggest reasons for leaving a job is being undervalued, underpaid, and overworked. Despite high average earnings, developers often don’t receive a fair salary, deal with massive amounts of overtime, have to handle burn out, and must meet ever-growing demands.

Check out the Stack Overflow Calculator and see how your earnings compare to listings in your area.