Smart Contract Developer with ETH (Ethereum blockchain) Salary in 2024

Where is Ethereum blockchain (ETH) used?

Ethereum blockchain (ETH) Alternatives

Cardano

Cardano is a proof-of-stake blockchain platform aiming for a secure and scalable infrastructure for developers. It allows the creation of dApps and smart contracts similar to Ethereum.

-- Haskell coding for Cardano (Pseudo-example) --
contract :: Contract
contract = do
  action <- chooseAction
  case action of
    Create -> createContract
    Pay -> makePayment

• Lower transaction fees than Ethereum.

• Strong academic backing with peer-reviewed research.

• Energy-efficient due to proof-of-stake.

• Slower development and adoption rate.

• Fewer dApps compared to Ethereum.

• Less network effect and brand recognition.

Binance Smart Chain

Binance Smart Chain is a high-throughput blockchain that runs in parallel with Binance Chain. It supports smart contracts and is compatible with Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM).

// Solidity code for a simple BSC smart contract (Pseudo-example)
pragma solidity ^0.5.0;

contract Token {
  mapping(address => uint) public balances;

  function transfer(address to, uint amount) public {
    require(balances[msg.sender] >= amount);
    balances[msg.sender] -= amount;
    balances[to] += amount;
  }
}

• Compatible with Ethereum tools and dApps.

• High throughput and low transaction fees.

• Backed by Binance, a large cryptocurrency exchange.

• Centralized compared to other blockchains.

• Criticized for prioritizing speed over decentralization.

• Potential for congestion due to token launches and trading activity.

Polkadot

Polkadot is a multi-chain network supporting interoperability and scalability for various blockchains. It connects permissioned and permissionless blockchains to work together.

// Rust code snippet for a Substrate-based Polkadot runtime module (Pseudo-example)
fn deposit_event(event: Event) {
  >::deposit_event(event);
}

• Facilitates blockchain interoperability.

• Scalable network with pooled security.

• Founded by Ethereum's co-founder, Dr. Gavin Wood.

• Complexity can be a barrier for new developers.

• Still in early stages of implementation and adoption.

• Relatively smaller developer community.

Quick Facts about Ethereum blockchain (ETH)

Genesis of Ethereum

Picture this: it's 2013, and a brainy kid named Vitalik Buterin is struck by a lightning bolt of genius. The Ethereum network is his brainchild, crafted to trump the Bitcoin blockchain with something more versatile – smart contracts. These nifty little pieces of code are game-changers, automating transactions without the fuss of middlemen. Magic? Nah, just Ethereum.

Ethereum's Evolutionary Jumps: Forks Galore!

Ethereum's history is spicier than a bowl of chili con carne with forks left, right, and center. The DAO hack in 2016 split the community like a bad breakup, resulting in Ethereum (ETH) and Ethereum Classic (ETC). Then came the shift from proof-of-work (just like Bitcoin) to proof-of-stake in the Ethereum 2.0 upgrade – the blockchain equivalent of going from steam engine to electric car.

Smart Contracts and DApps: It's Alive!

Think of Ethereum as a titan-sized Swiss Army Knife for decentralized apps (DApps). Using Ethereum's Solidity language (which is like JavaScript's long-lost blockchain-loving sibling), devs have crafted everything from decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms to digital kitten collectibles (yes, I'm talking about CryptoKitties). Here's a bite-sized sample code of a smart contract:

contract Greet {
  string public greeting;

  function setGreeting(string _greeting) public {
    greeting = _greeting;
  }

  function getGreeting() public view returns (string) {
    return greeting;
  }
}

And just like that, you've got a smart contract that could say "Hello, World!" or perhaps "Howdy, Universe!" if it's feeling extra cosmopolitan that day.

What is the difference between Junior, Middle, Senior and Expert Ethereum blockchain (ETH) developer?

Top 10 Ethereum blockchain (ETH) Related Tech

1. Solidity

   
   

   Ever dreamt of penning down smart contracts that could buy your coffee for you? Well, Solidity is your magic wand! It’s the primo language for Ethereum smart contracts, and it’s as vital as caffeine for developers. Picture it as the JavaScript of blockchain; you can't escape it even if you wanted.

   
   

   contract CoffeeBuyer {
       function buyCoffee() public payable {
           // Your code to buy coffee
       }
   }

1. Truffle Suite

   
   

   Imagine a toolbox that's like Mary Poppins' purse, but for Ethereum developers. Truffle is your spellbook for smart contract compilation, testing, and deployment. It takes those Solidity riddles and turns them into living, breathing smart contracts on the Ethereum blockchain.

   
   

   truffle compile
   truffle migrate
   truffle test

1. Web3.js

   
   

   Want to chat up the Ethereum blockchain like you're old pals at a bar? Web3.js is your wingman! It's a collection of libraries that lets your applications talk to Ethereum nodes directly, without the middleman. It's like Whatsapp for your DApps and smart contracts.

   
   

   web3.eth.getBalance("0xYourEthereumAddress").then(console.log);

1. Ethers.js

   
   

   If Web3.js is the Android of Ethereum interaction, then Ethers.js is the iOS – sleek, suave, and a hit with the cool devs. It's an alternative library for interacting with the Ethereum blockchain, with a focus on simplicity and tiny magical footprints.

   
   

   const balance = await provider.getBalance("0xYourEthereumAddress");
   console.log(balance);

1. MetaMask

   
   

   MetaMask is like your digital wallet but for the Ethereum ecosystem, safeguarding your Ether and ERC-20 tokens from the virtual boogeyman. It's an essential browser extension that lets users interact with DApps, without the hassle of running a full Ethereum node.

   
   

   // Assumes you're using MetaMask as provider
   const accounts = await ethereum.request({ method: 'eth_requestAccounts' });
   const account = accounts[0];

1. Hardhat

   
   

   Don't mix this up with a construction site necessity. Hardhat is the cool new kid on the block(chain), providing a development environment for testing, debugging, and deploying Ethereum software. It's like having a sandbox where your smart contracts can play and get dirty, without real-world tears.

   
   

   // Running a Hardhat task
   npx hardhat test

1. IPFS

   
   

   Storing data on the Ethereum blockchain is pricier than a hipster latte. Enter IPFS (InterPlanetary File System) - think of it as a mystical library in the cosmos, where data is stored on a network of peers. It's like BitTorrent and the web had a love child for decentralized storage.

   
   

   ipfs.add(file, (err, ipfsHash) => {
     console.log(ipfsHash);
     // Use this hash to access the file from IPFS
   })

1. Ganache

   
   

   Got a sweet tooth for testing your smart contracts locally? Ganache serves up a personal Ethereum blockchain on your local machine. It’s like a candy shop where you get an endless supply of ETH to gorge on, but without the cavities.

   
   

   // Connect to your local Ganache blockchain
   const ganache = require("ganache-core");
   const localEth = ganache.provider();

1. Remix IDE

   
   

   Add a dash of Remix IDE to your coding recipe, and voilà! You get a powerful open-source tool for writing Solidity contracts right in your browser. It's as if Google Docs and Ethereum had a baby, enabling smart contract creation in a collaborative, cloud-based environment.

   
   

   // Code away your smart contracts in Remix IDE

1. Drizzle

   
   

   When you need that icing on the DApp, Drizzle comes to the rescue. It's a collection of front-end libraries that make talking to the Ethereum blockchain a piece of cake. Think of it as the cool frosting that makes your DApp deliciously user-friendly.

   
   

   // In Drizzle, contracts are managed automagically
   const drizzleState = drizzle.store.getState();