Node.js developers deploy and maintain network applications. They manage the exchange of data between servers and users, develop back-end components, and connect applications with other web services. They also support front-end developers by integrating web-based applications. Let’s check the role of a Node JS developer!
What is NodeJS?
NodeJS is an open-source back-end development platform built on JavaScript.
It focuses on the development of fast and scalable server-side and client-side applications outside of the browser.
NodeJS allows developers to access databases and perform various operations from back-end languages such as PHP and Ruby.
Before Node.js appeared, JavaScript only worked on the front end and this made it necessary to use another language to program the back end. With Node.js things are simplified by being able to program the entire tech stack with a single language.
Although JavaScript is the only language supported by Node.js natively, there are compile-to-JS languages such as TypeScript, Dart, or CoffeeScript that allow writing Node JS applications.
Combining the flexibility and ease of JavaScript with the power of a fast asynchronous loop and an extremely committed community, NodeJS is one of the most used frameworks by developers, according to data from the Stack Overflow survey. In their 2022 survey, 47% of participants named Node.js as the web technology they had used the most.
And why is Node JS so popular?
Due to its efficiency and lightweight and because it uses JavaScript, allowing developers to create fast and scalable applications with a single programming language.
Node.js is built on the V8 JavaScript runtime and has fast and efficient code execution. It also has a large library of modules (CommonJS modules) that can be used to extend its functionality easily.
Additionally, Node.js is widely used across the web due to its asynchronous, event-driven architecture, which makes it ideal for real-time applications.
Node.js is also popular because it is open-source and anyone can contribute to its development (as we said before, the community is extremely committed).
What can be developed with Node.js?
- Streaming and data transmission applications
- Complex single-page applications (SPAs)
- Real-time chat and games, chatbots, push notifications
- IoT applications and high traffic
- REST API-based applications
- JSON-based applications: APIs
- Fintech applications
- Analytical applications
- Online stores
Due to its speed and scalability, many companies are looking for professionals with NodeJS experience and yet the supply of qualified developers is still not able to meet that demand.
Therefore, Node JS is a good career choice and knowing how to code in NodeJS can open you up to great job opportunities.
💡 Node.js is not a programming language or a framework. It is an execution environment for them.
Responsibilities of a Node JS developer
The NodeJS developer is responsible for developing server-side applications and managing the data exchange between the server and the client application.
NodeJS developers often develop backend components, connecting the application with others (sometimes third-party web services) as well as helping front-end developers integrate their work with the Node.js application.
For this reason, Node.js developers need knowledge of front-end technologies such as Vue.js, React.js, or other JavaScript frameworks.
Node.js developer tasks
- Design, analysis and development of web applications with Node.js
- Development and management of server-side components
- Management of central databases
- Ensure that server-side code interacts with databases correctly
- Ensure good response capacity to front-end requests
- Collaborate with front-end developers on integration elements
- Development of high-performance applications and APIs for front and back-end applications
- Ensure checkable, reusable and efficient code (maximum speed and scalability)
- Apply effective security protocols
- Implement security and data protection
- Carry out diagnostic tests, and bug fixes
- Document NodeJS processes
- Implement automated testing platforms and unit tests
- Troubleshoot and debug applications
- Recommend and apply improvements to processes and technology
- Keep up to date with advances in the field of NodeJS development
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Skills needed to work as a Node.js Developer
Node.JS is built around JavaScript so you need to know JavaScript – including libraries, frameworks and web stacks – to learn Node.JS.
Additionally, the developer will need advanced knowledge of Node.JS and compatible frameworks such as Express JS, Kua, or Meteor JS.
Experience with database management and a good general understanding of front-end technologies is also necessary. From a social skills perspective, good analytical capacity and teamwork skills will also be needed.
Skills and experience requested in NodeJS job offers
- Proficiency in JavaScript and its libraries, frameworks and web stacks
- Advanced knowledge of NodeJS and compatible frameworks (Express.js, Koa.js, Socket.io, Hapi.js)
- Knowledge of asynchronous programming and its peculiarities
- Knowledge of server-side modelling languages (Jade, EJS, etc.)
- Experience with REST, MySQL/PostgreSQL, or other technologies
- Experience in relational and NoSQL databases (including MongoDB, Redis)
- Understanding of web services, including web sockets and REST APIs
- Experience with Docker infrastructure (microservices) and AWS is an asset
- Good understanding of front-end technologies (Vue.js, HTML, CSS, etc.)
- Experience with NPM, package manager for NodeJS platform
- Knowledge of IT and data security concepts such authentication and encryption
- Ability to debug, identify performance issues and optimise code
- Experience in multi-disciplinary environments and with Agile methodology
Background and education
Generally, Node.js developers have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in fields such as computer science, mathematics, telecommunications or a related field.
Companies also value having verifiable experience programming with Node.js and other web development technologies such as JavaScript, HTML, CSS or SQL.
However, since it is open-source software, NodeJS is not always included in the curricula of traditional universities and other higher education institutions.
For this reason, it is highly recommended that professionals who aspire to work in this field look for alternative and independent training options, such as online courses, or bootcamps.
There are also certifications available that are specific to Node.js, such as the OpenJS Node.js Services Developer (JSNSD) and OpenJS Node.js Application Developer (JSNAD) certifications offered by the OpenJS Foundation. The exam focus on the knowledge and skills needed to be a successful Node.js developer and certifications last for three years.
Other online courses in Node.js that you could take are:
- Node JS API Development for Beginners – Udemy
- The Complete Node.js Developer Course (3rd Edition) – Udemy
- Node.Js tutorials – LinkedIn learning
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How much does a NodeJS developer make?
The salary of a NodeJS developer will vary depending on the exact profile and experience that the developer brings (experience with agile methodologies, Node.js development tools such as Node Package Manager or Grunt, etc.), the company they will work for or the location of the world where the programmer lives.
We always take the salary statistics of the United States as a reference, and, for example, a NodeJS developer earns an average of around $100,000 a year in the US.
But for those living in other countries, we present a small comparison of NodeJS developer salaries in other countries.
If we analyse the salaries of NodeJS developers in Spain, their average salary is around 36,000 €/year, while in Germany it is around 55,000 €/year or 20,000 €/year in Portugal.
What is the salary of a NodeJS back-end Developer?
| USA | $100,000 |
| Germany | €55,000 |
| Spain | €36,000 |
| Portugal | €20,000 |
How much do freelancer Node.js developers charge?
Freelance Node.js Developers on freelancermap charge on average:
Rates in this field range between $22 and $76/hour for most freelancers.
The daily rate for Node.js Developers (8 working hours) would be around:
