Ruby Developer Hourly Rate Guide: Hire Dedicated Ruby Developers at Affordable Rates

The average hourly rate for Ruby developers in the United States is approximately $60.34, and it ranges from $60.34 to $81.73. In Latin America, including South America, Ruby developers charge hourly rates ranging from $20 to $50, with variations based on factors such as experience, location, skill set, specialization, project complexity, and market demand, as well as comparisons with other technologies and tech stacks.

Ruby is a scripting language that’s popular for creating web applications in the world of software development. Ruby attracts developers from all over the world with a syntax that prioritizes efficiency and simplicity. So it’s no wonder that companies that are looking to hire Ruby developers are looking to make the most cost-efficient choice when hiring them.

But what are the average Ruby developer’s hourly wages in the market? First, let us investigate the various factors that affect Ruby developer hourly rates when you hire Ruby developers for your projects. Then we shall evaluate how Ruby developer rates compare in relation to other technologies’ rates, and compare the Ruby developer rates based on location and tech stack.

According to ZipRecruiter, a Ruby developer makes approximately $60.34 per hour in the United States.

While it depicts an hourly rate of $60.34 as the national average for Ruby developers in the USA, it can be seen that the hourly rate goes as high as $81.73 and as low as $12.74 with top earners making an annual income of over $160K across the United States.

1. Factors Affecting Ruby Developer Hourly Rates

Several factors can influence a Ruby developer’s hourly rate when hiring them. Understanding these aspects will assist you in making more informed decisions regarding your budget and the type of developer to hire. 

Here are some of the factors that may affect the rates of  Ruby developers you should keep in mind when you hire remote Ruby developers:

Experience: 

As with any profession, experience is important in calculating an hourly wage for a developer. More seasoned developers have had the opportunity to improve their skills, gain best practices, and handle a wide range of complications, making them more valuable to employers and clients.   

Location: 

Living costs vary widely around the world, and developers in higher-cost-of-living areas would often demand higher fees. A developer in San Francisco or New York, for example, will normally command higher fees than a developer in Eastern Europe or Asia.

ZipRecruiter provides us with a list of the top ten cities offering the highest hourly and annual rates for Ruby developers in the United States. As seen below, within the US alone, the dev rates can fluctuate by about 15K based on location.

Skillset:

Proficiency in Ruby is the baseline requirement, but additional skills can add value. Developers who are additionally proficient in Ruby on Rails, JavaScript, or database technologies such as PostgreSQL, for example, can command higher prices.

Specialization:

Developers who specialize in areas such as machine learning, data science, or cybersecurity typically earn more than generalist developers. This is due to the fact that specialized abilities are less widespread and may be in high demand.

Project Complexity:

The complexity of the project: More complex projects necessitate greater talent and more time to finish. As a result, they often demand higher charges. A large, highly scalable web application with multiple features and functionalities, for example, will almost certainly cost more than a basic website.

Market Demand:

The supply and demand principles apply here. When there is a strong demand for Ruby developers for hire, but a low supply, rates tend to be higher, and vice versa

Professional Reputation: 

Developers who have built a strong professional reputation through previous successful projects, high-profile clients, or contributions to the Ruby community can frequently charge higher fees.

While these factors can have an impact on rates, the relationship between a developer and their client also plays a role. When establishing the value of a developer, effective communication, reliability, and professional relationships can be equally as crucial as technical expertise.

2. Hourly Rates of Ruby Developers Based on Location

Depending on where they work, Ruby developers get paid differently per hour. The hourly pay when you hire dedicated Ruby developers is typically greater in the US and Western Europe than it is in Eastern Europe and Asia. 

The average hourly rate for Ruby developers in different geographical regions is demonstrated in the table below.

The hourly wages of Ruby developers vary significantly by region, as seen in the table above. In the United States, the average hourly rate for a Ruby developer is roughly $60 – $120. The hourly rate in Western Europe goes from $40 – $80, whereas it is roughly $30 – $60 in Eastern Europe. Asian developers charge the lowest hourly rates, ranging from $15 – $30.

According to statistics on Glassdoor, the median estimated total pay for a Ruby Developer in the United States area is $54.45 per hour which is $108,685 per year. This includes an average salary of $54.35 per hour which is $100,473 per year and an estimated additional pay of $4.11 per hour which is $8,213 per year. These estimates are based on salaries collected from the users of Glassdoor.

3. Ruby Developer Hourly Rates Based on Tech Stack

Ruby, like other programming languages, is frequently used in conjunction with other technologies to develop a comprehensive software solution. The hourly wages for Ruby developers might vary significantly based on their tech stack, or the broad range of technologies in which they are proficient. The table below shows the average hourly rates of Ruby Developers based on their technology stack.

back-end (such as Ruby or Node.js) might command higher rates due to their wider skill set. There are some rate variances among Ruby developers with different tech stacks. Because of the framework’s complexity and demand, Ruby on Rails developers often make slightly more.

A full-stack Ruby developer who is proficient with front-end technologies such as JavaScript, HTML, and CSS will most certainly fetch a higher salary. If the developer is aware of in-demand technologies such as React or Node.js, the rate might be raised even more.

4. Comparing Hourly Rates of Ruby Developers with Other Backend Technologies

When developing web applications, backend technologies are also required. The table below shows the hourly rates of developers who use Ruby and certain backend technologies.

As seen from the table above, Ruby is compared to other technologies. As can be seen, the Ruby on Rails rate is comparable to the rates of other backend technologies like Python, Java, C#, and Node.js. It is significantly less expensive than technologies such as Golang which costs $50 – $130 per hour. On the other hand, PHP charges an average hourly rate of $20 – $80, which is lower than other backend technologies. 

However, knowledge of more than one tech can help a developer earn better. 

5. Comparing Ruby Developer Hourly Rate with Other Technologies

As compared above, the hourly rates for developers can vary substantially depending on criteria such as programming languages, developer’s experience, tech stack, location, and the project’s complexity. 

Here’s an hourly rate comparison of Ruby and several other well-known technologies:

The prices shown are average ranges, mostly based on US pricing. It’s also worth noting that developers who can handle both frontend (like Vue.js, Angular, or React.js) and backend (like Ruby) are often able to command higher rates due to their more comprehensive skill set.

Comparing the salaries of Ruby developers with other developers, ZipRecruiter shows that a Ruby developer makes an hourly rate of $60 while an Angular.JS developer gets an hourly rate of $58. Additionally, ZipRecruiter shows that Vue.js developers get an hourly rate of $53 on average demonstrating that Ruby developers receive a higher hourly rate compared to other tech stacks.. 

Conclusion

The demand for skilled Ruby developers is steadily on the rise, driven by the framework’s flexibility and robust capabilities in crafting dynamic and innovative web applications. In an era marked by a growing reliance on digital solutions, the need for proficient Ruby developers is expected to remain strong, offering attractive earning potential for those well-versed in Ruby development.

When venturing into the job market as a Ruby developer, it is vital to understand your value and worth. For those keen on Ruby development, our website offers a comprehensive guide to Ruby developer annual salaries, helping you navigate the landscape of compensation.

For businesses seeking to hire Ruby developers, there are key considerations to keep in mind. Evaluating candidates based on their experience, geographic location, and alignment with your project’s specific requirements can help you find the perfect fit – a Ruby developer equipped with the skills and expertise necessary for your team’s success. We have compiled a list of resources on our website to aid in your quest for hiring a Ruby developer, including a Ruby developer hiring guide, a Ruby developer job description guide, and Ruby developer interview questions that are aimed at helping you make better choices when hiring Ruby developers.