React is one of the most popular and in-demand front-end frameworks for building user interfaces and web applications. As React has grown in popularity over the past few years, so has the need for skilled React developers.
But do React developers actually get paid well for their skills? Let’s take a deeper look at React developer salaries and see how they compare to other programming jobs.
Average Salary for React Developers
According to data from PayScale, the average salary for a React developer in the United States is $92,046 per year. This average accounts for React developers across all experience levels, from entry level to senior React developers.
Here’s a look at how the average React developer salary breaks down by years of experience:
| Experience Level | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $72,500 |
| Mid Level (3-5 years) | $88,000 |
| Senior (6+ years) | $114,000 |
As you can see, the more experience a React developer has, the higher their earning potential. Senior React developers with 6+ years of experience have average salaries approaching $115,000 per year.
React Developer Salary by Location
Salaries for React developers can vary significantly based on geographic location. Here’s a look at average React developer salaries in some of the top US tech hubs:
| City | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $112,000 |
| Seattle, WA | $100,000 |
| New York, NY | $105,000 |
| Austin, TX | $91,000 |
| Chicago, IL | $88,000 |
Not surprisingly, React developer salaries tend to be higher in major tech hubs like San Francisco and New York City. The abundance of startups and major technology companies in these areas leads to more job opportunities and higher salaries for skilled React developers.
How React Developer Salaries Compare to Other Programming Jobs
Compared to salaries for other programming and software engineering roles, React developer salaries are solidly middle-of-the-road.
According to Glassdoor data, here’s how average React developer salaries compare:
| Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Java Developer | $83,000 |
| JavaScript Developer | $90,000 |
| Python Developer | $95,000 |
| React Developer | $92,000 |
| .NET Developer | $76,000 |
React developer salaries are comparable to salaries for JavaScript and Python developers, and tend to be higher than salaries for back-end focused roles like Java and .NET development.
Factors That Impact React Developer Salaries
While the average salary for React developers is nearly $92,000 per year, actual earning potential can vary quite a bit based on factors like:
- Location – As mentioned, salaries tend to be highest in major technology hubs
- Experience level – More years of experience translate to higher salaries
- Industry – Tech startups and finance companies tend to pay more than other industries
- Company size – Large tech companies like Facebook or Netflix tend to pay the most
- Full-time vs contract – Contract roles generally have higher hourly rates
- Technical skills – Knowledge of React and other frameworks can boost salary
Job Growth for React Developers
In addition to strong salaries, the job growth outlook for React developers also looks very positive:
- According to Burning Glass, demand for React developers has grown over 200% since 2018
- React developer job postings on Indeed have increased over 400% from 2015 to 2019
- LinkedIn named React/React Native the #1 most in-demand hard skill for 2020
Due to the rise in popularity of front-end JavaScript frameworks like React, the number of jobs and openings available for React developers will likely continue to grow over the next decade. The React framework is used by major tech companies like Facebook, Netflix, Airbnb, and more for building robust web applications.
As a result, React developers who stay up-to-date on the latest React features and trends should have no issues finding new, well-paying job opportunities.
Conclusion
In summary, the data shows that React developers generally earn very competitive salaries, especially as they gain more experience. Average salaries for React developers land in the low $90,000s, comparable to related roles like JavaScript development.
Salaries also tend to be higher in major tech hubs and at large technology companies. With demand and job openings for React developers rapidly increasing, the future looks bright for those looking to get into React development as a long-term career path.
Overall, React developers have one of the most in-demand skillsets in the job market today, which translates to salaries that are definitely on the high end for software engineers and programmers.