Hey all, I’ve been working in web agencies for years now. Not using site builders (obviously I’ve had to use them at times but I don’t love it), building custom themes from scratch with PHP/HTML/JS etc., custom plugins, interesting client needs, some Shopify development, design work, all the standard digital agency drudgery.
I’m starting to get pretty disillusioned and would like a new challenge (and a salary increase). I’m currently in a pretty well-paid agency, earning around $70,000 a year.
I’ve worked briefly with React, Angular, GraphQL, Vue, but not in a full-time capacity. Is React/Node the path I should be looking towards if I want to make more cash and have a bit more security? I’m safe in my current role, but I’m bored and frustrated.
Also… is there any way to be in this industry and not be constantly pestered about AI? I’m honestly sick to death of hearing about ChatGPT or Claude, lol
Thanks!
If you were in the US I would guess that during normal times you could find a job that pays $90-100k + benefits.
It’s not an exact comparison, I’m a front end person with a lot of Drupal experience, probably less php and js experience than you, and my agency pays really well, but I was hired at $108k and earn $118k now, + about 15k in benefits, to give you a rough idea.
You might be able to find a remote job in the US but it will be tough, the time difference is hard, plus the added expense of employing someone in another country, plus the massive uncertainty around the US economy right now will be challenging. Worth a shot, but I think it’s definitely worth trying to find something better in the UK.
Thank you for the breakdown, I appreciate your time on this! How do you find Drupal to work with? There was a time I was tempted to go into Drupal, and then Laravel or Symfony; I think they have generally decent salaries associated because of their relatively niche nature.