I work as a full-stack developer and UI/UX designer, specializing in Node.js on the backend. I've been working a bit with Go lately in my free time. I also work at an agency, so that may affect my salary as compared to working on, say, a SaaS product.

Out of my own curiosity, where would I seek a 75-90k salary where the cost of living doesn't negate the increase?

Thank you for the detail! You definitely sounds like you should be 100k+ to me.

I would say you don't even have to move (although Seattle might be a good choice), but you'd have to find remote work.

Do you have a Github and LinkedIn profile? Put Go, Node and front-end expertise on there but don't say you're looking for a new position. When the recruiters start contacting you, let them know you're open to remote work ONLY if they can get you 90k+. They can get you this. State that it HAS to be remote in your initial contact and don't waiver.

Alternatively you could spend a couple years in the Bay Area or NY and build up a great network then move back as a consultant or remote employee.

Another negotiation tip: The recruiters will ask you how much you're currently making. DON'T tell them (you can after you get 100k+ :). Tell them "I'm not currently looking for work, but if you can find me something 90k+ I would be willing to take a look". Be nice but be firm.

I hope I don't come across as a dick but it sounds like your skills don't really match your location. I'm sure there are 10x as many .net/java roles in your area than node.js ones. Outside of a few major tech hubs the well paying jobs that will pay $70-$80k for a junior are more "boring" corporate roles.

You don't sound dickish at all, and you're absolutely right that there are more "enterprise-y" roles here than Node. In fact, the shop I'm at now is one of probably less than 10 companies in the entire state that would hire anyone to do Node. During my time here I've racked up over 2000 hours working in Node.js alongside some very bright people, and it's a technology I feel quite bullish on. I'm always trying to learn and grow as a developer, but I feel a lot more comfortable working in technologies like Node or Go than something like Java. That said, I'm not opposed to JVM offshoots like Clojure, which I find fascinating.

From Austin, I've seen junior salaries around 75k. Cost of living is pretty low. I'm in Seattle now, where most of the companies are in the 90k-120k for junior pay. It doesn't have the same cost of living as SF and is much more reasonable.

How is the market for machine learning engineers in Seattle? I'm strongly considering moving there circa 2015.

At Amazon, I've seen quite a few positions:

http://www.amazon.jobs/results?str=machine%20learning

Goodluck! Also, feel free to PM if you have any questions.

You don't have an email included, and I don't think HN has a PM feature.