Ask HN: Switch to Java as Senior JavaScript Dev?
I’m starting to feel that I really need to start learning the Java platform to grow my career. For one, Node.js jobs are not really popular in my area. The ratio of backend Node.js to Java jobs is probably 1 to 50. Two, it seems like to get a FAANG type job then Node.js probably won’t cut it. Three, I make 130k+ in Raleigh, NC. Most Node.js roles can’t leverage my experience running highly available services and subsequently can’t or won’t match this salary level. Most teams needing five 9s are not looking at JS first. Even at my company, JS is a 2nd class citizen. Most of the companies reaching out to me on LinkedIn looking for somebody my level are looking for serious Java chops.
I have a master’s degree and have coded in a variety of other languages (TypeScript, Go, Python, etc) including some Java servlets in the past. I don't know frameworks like Spring or Hibernate, so I think I should be invest some serious time into learning these frameworks and more idiomatic Java since it's been almost a decade since I've touched Java.
Is this a case of the grass being greener, or does JavaScript just have a lower ceiling professionally than Java?