React.JS is an open-source JavaScript library used in front-end development to build UIs, specifically single-page applications (SPAs).
React.js developers, sometimes called UI developers, use React.JS to handle the view layer for web and mobile apps and create complex, reusable UIs with components.
Speed and flexibility are other appealing aspects of React.JS, which you can use with a combination of other JavaScript libraries or frameworks, such as AngularJS in MVC.
Popular React-Related Languages, Libraries, and Tools
Component-based React.JS is fast, flexible, and stable — everything that reduces programming time, effort, and rework. These virtues and the rapid pace of the framework’s evolution and continued support by Facebook/the open-source community keep React.JS accessible and capable.
However, programmers cite a long list of React libraries, extensions, and tools. Your candidate should be familiar with most of them, especially those that are most useful to your development operations.
Popular React.JS programming languages and libraries
Users put several popular languages and libraries to work with React.JS:
JavaScript XML (JSX) is an optional JavaScript syntax extension, which takes the effort out of writing components. It accepts HTML quotes and reduces the time and effort needed to render subcomponents.
Redux is an open-source JavaScript library, which helps to manage the application state. It also enables Reactjs developers to write web applications that behave consistently, run in different environments (client, server, and native), and are easy to test.
Popular React.JS Programming Tools
One of the advantages of using React.JS is the broad range of available debugging, analysis, and design tools you can use with it.
React developer tools: A browser extension available to both Chrome and Firefox users. With this toolkit, programmers can observe reactive component hierarchies, discover child and parent components, and inspect their current state and props.
Sentry: Developers value this real-time error tracking and monitoring tool for its speedy setup and open-source JavaScript library. With the tool, Reactjs developers can manage the application state and enjoy the support of many platforms and programming languages.
ESLint: An open-source, static code analysis tool used to identify problems of code written in JavaScript. Programmers can use ESLint to find code quality and coding style problems, and define and load customized rules.
HockeyApp: This online app programming service supports different stages of the code development process. Its many services include managing and recruiting testers, distributing apps, and collecting crash reports in real-time.
Hiring React Developers
As the demand for React.JS developers continues to rise, efforts are underway to train and produce more of them. However, the demand outpaces the availability of skilled professionals in local labor markets. Consequently, companies may face challenges when searching for React developers for hire within their vicinity. To optimize hiring efforts, engineering team managers and hiring managers can implement the following strategies to hire Reactjs developers.
React.JS Technical Abilities and Soft Skills
Finding the right candidate goes beyond looking at Reactjs developer resumes. When you hire React js developers, you should be sure they possess a solid React.JS mindset. This means someone who’s in tune with React.JS capabilities and tools. Your developer should understand how changes in capabilities and tools affect the programming work. To discover your React developer’s skills, start by crafting relevant and accurate React interview questions to ask your candidate.
Getting the most from React.JS developer interviews
Start by listing essential React.JS technical skills, knowledge, and experience that first-rate candidates must have. Here is our list.
Solid knowledge of JavaScript: This includes using basic React.JS concepts, especially immutable data and pure functions. Do the React.js developers have at least two years of work experience? Have they developed a variety of single-page and responsive web apps? Also, is his or her experience aligned with your company’s day-to-day operation, culture, and vision?
- It never hurts for a React.JS developer to understand pure JavaScript well. Ask your candidate about it.
- Work with concepts such as JSX, Virtual DOM, the component lifecycle, and events.
- Knowledge of the “this” keyword and experience using it.
- Knowledge of ES2015 JavaScript features.
- Experience with JavaScript-related tools and technologies.
- Familiarity with the Google JS Style Guide or a similar publication. Any programmer aspiring to excellent work pays attention to style.
React js Developer resume and portfolio: These sources of hiring information can say a lot about your candidate’s expertise.
Up-to-date awareness and skills: The React.JS community releases new features and libraries often. So, your candidates should be familiar with the latest trends in React.JS languages, libraries, and tools. They should also know how these assets can do in production environments.
An understanding of modern capabilities: An experienced developer knows that knowledge of at least several modern technologies, such as Angular, Vue, and Backbone.js, provides a deeper understanding of React.JS capabilities.
Now, make a customized list, one that’s right for your projects and workflow.
Also, in interviews, be sure to ask questions about problem-solving abilities, programming for special conditions, and other judgment-related experience.
Programming soft skills
Software development involves teamwork, a people process as much as a technical activity. So, whether interviewing an entry-level React developer or a senior React developer, you should spend a good amount of time ensuring they’ll work well with others. Some good things to watch for include:
- Solid communication skills
- Open-mindedness
- Hunger for knowledge and the desire to grow professionally
- Relentless problem-solving instincts
You’ve made your list of sterling attitudes, abilities, and habits. Now, it’s time to look for developers by seeking them out in their natural habitat.
Finding React.JS Developers for Your Project or Staff
Finding React.JS programmers locally might be difficult. As such, we suggest casting a broader net and hiring from locations you might not look at in easier labor markets.
Consider allowing candidates to work from home or from overseas — especially those who particularly value work-life balance. We mention this because although developers’ preferences may vary from country to country, HackerRank research shows unexpected results.
In a 2019 survey, most software engineers favor the right work-life balance over the alternatives of endless nights at the office. Developers surveyed also preferred flexible work hours, exciting tasks, and professional growth as motivators.
React online communities
What about looking at different communities rather than geographic locations or work preferences? Online communities offer excellent opportunities to find skilled developers looking for a challenge. Some U.S.-based options include:
- Stack Overflow: This popular forum is an excellent place to ask code-level questions or find solutions to a specific error.
- DEV’s React community: News, events, how-tos, and blog posts galore for React developers.
- Hashnode’s React community: This programming forum emphasizes knowledge sharing and connecting developers.
- React subreddit: This is the React section of the Reddit empire. Advice, feedback, and everything else React.JS enthusiasts could ask for to build their knowledge and skills can be found here.
What about React.JS enthusiasts who want to get out and meet like-minded people?
React Conferences and Hackathons
Meeting real-life human beings with similar passions makes conferences and hackathons worthwhile. Check here for year-round and global possibilities.
- React Summit — New York, USA
- React Rally — Utah, USA
- Reactathon — San Francisco, USA
- React Advanced — Hybrid, London & Online
When you find promising developer talent, what’s next? Figure out what to pay them, of course!
Competitive Pay for React.JS Developers
Overall, React.JS developers command one of the highest salaries among JavaScript developers. Even so, many factors determine React.JS engineer pay — levels of talent supply and demand, specific skills, time worked at different roles, and geographical location. Let’s look at React.JS salaries and hourly rates throughout the United States.
Salaries and freelance rates
The 2023 average ReactJS developer salary in the US is $120,000 (about $57 per hour). Entry-level React developer salaries start at $102,237 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $150,000 per year. Here’s a list of annual developer salaries in states with IT hubs.
- California: $130,000
- Georgia: $130,000
- Illinois: $130,000
- Massachusetts: $136,500
- Missouri: $117,500
- New Jersey: $128,375
- New York: $136,500
- Pennsylvania: $120,000
- Virginia: $136,250
- Washington: $135,000
Salaried React.JS engineers aren’t the only JavaScript professionals taking home the prize — contractors are doing well, too.
React developer hourly rates reflect the same, highly variable factors as salaried workers. The median 2023 hourly rate of React developers is $70 per hour. Expressed as an annual salary, that’s $148,000. Highly experienced React coders can earn up to $317,000, however.
Next Steps
Consider the following guidelines. They can help you get maximum value from the time and cost of hiring React.JS developers. Better yet, they’ll help you create hiring practices that are just right for your operations.
Remember important basics. During the interview, don’t forget to probe for information about developing in different workflow conditions, open-mindedness, soft skills, and other skills that ease the stress of modern development processes.
Writing clean, elegant code. Sometimes, developers can get away with writing clunky, complex code. Writing — and testing/using — React.JS code, however, sets the bar high. Any coder who wants to evolve into an esteemed developer must aspire to be the best. In this case, that means writing scripts or code that is easy to understand and use. This elegance isn’t just a fancy add-on. It helps reduce the time and effort needed to maintain your website and apps.
Customize job descriptions. Each job you hire for has its unique combination of technical and soft skills and experience that matter most for job success. In hiring, focus on the programming and personal requirements that will ensure your developer’s success in your work environment. Finally, don’t forget to describe your organization as a first-rate work environment.
Engage in face-to-face and virtual events. React.JS developers (at least the ones you want to hire) share high levels of enthusiasm and often mingle in groups with their peers. Event attendees make excellent targets for your recruiting efforts.
Keep your hiring budget in line. Learn the local salary and hourly pay rates of React.JS developers. (Or, consider working with a remote developer.)