How to Hire a Solidity Developer: A Comprehensive Guide

Smart contracts are the reason behind the cryptocurrency craze, and most coins are traded on the Ethereum blockchain. To create and launch your own app, you must understand how Ethereum works, so you have to know Solidity, a programming language for writing Ethereum smart contracts.

To find a solidity coder isn’t easy – most developers aren’t familiar with Solidity as it’s a relatively new language, but there is a high demand for such specialists as the need for blockchain solutions continues to grow. ProCoders helps businesses find and hire crypto developers (Solidity developers), who are a specialized type of blockchain developer. Read this guide to get more info!

Also, you can read our guide to hiring a smart contract developer to learn more tips!

Introduction to Blockchain Development

Blockchain development is at the forefront of technological innovation, enabling the creation of decentralized applications, smart contracts, and digital tokens across various blockchain platforms. Solidity developers are essential in this landscape, as they design, develop, and deploy efficient smart contracts that power decentralized solutions on platforms like Ethereum.

With the rapid growth in demand for blockchain-based solutions, hiring skilled Solidity developers has become a top priority for businesses aiming to leverage blockchain technology for secure, transparent, and automated processes. To successfully find and hire the right talent, it’s important to understand the different types of Solidity developers available and the specific expertise they bring to blockchain development projects.

Solidity Programming Brief Overview

Solidity is a contract-oriented programming language for writing smart contracts on the Ethereum blockchain. Solidity is a statically typed, imperative programming language that supports inheritance, libraries, and complex user-defined types. Solidity is also an object-oriented programming language, leveraging object-oriented principles such as inheritance to enable code reuse and better structure in smart contract development.

It was influenced by C++, Python, and JavaScript and is designed to target the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM).

The popularity of Solidity developers for hire is growing, along with blockchain. According to Fortune Business Insights, the global blockchain market is expected to grow to $163.83 billion by 2029, compared to $7.18 billion in 2022. The main driving factor for developing cryptographic ledger solutions is the rising identity and data theft activities. Solidity developers are in demand across different industries, including finance, healthcare, and supply chain management.

In 2021, the next industries shared the global blockchain market:

Solidity developers are not limited to Ethereum; they work on various platforms and blockchain technologies, demonstrating their versatility and adaptability.

Found your industry among these ones? Then it’s time for you to become one of those companies.

Who is an Expert Solidity Developer?

The best Solidity developers are experienced with blockchain technology and the development of smart contracts. They should also have experience developing on the Ethereum platform, as well as EOS and Tron. The ideal candidate has a strong background in computer science and may also have experience as a software engineer in related fields, such as fintech or full-stack development.

It’s important for an expert Solidity developer to also have practical knowledge and technical expertise in areas such as:

• Cryptography
• Distributed systems architecture
• Mathematical algorithms and data structures
• Blockchain and smart contract development

A candidate’s ability to solve complex problems and manage projects effectively is crucial for success in this role.

And what about hard and soft skills necessary when you want to hire web3 developers? Read further.

Types of Solidity Developers

When hiring Solidity developers, it’s crucial to recognize that not all developers have the same focus or skill set. Top Solidity developers generally fall into three main categories:

• Smart Contract Developers: These specialists focus on designing and implementing secure, efficient smart contracts that automate transactions and business logic on the blockchain. Their expertise ensures that your smart contracts are robust and reliable.
• Decentralized Application (dApp) Developers: dApp developers build complex decentralized applications that interact with smart contracts on blockchain platforms. They combine front-end and back-end development skills to create seamless user experiences in decentralized environments.
• Blockchain Engineers: These professionals are responsible for the underlying architecture and system design of blockchain platforms. They work on the core blockchain protocols, ensuring scalability, security, and performance.

Identifying the specific needs of your project—whether it’s smart contract development, building a full-fledged dApp, or designing blockchain infrastructure—will help you hire Solidity developers with the right expertise and focus for your goals.

Technical Skills of a Solidity Developer

Basic Solidity knowledge is not enough to start coding smart contracts for an Ethereum dapp. Solidity engineers must be able to write code for complex systems and decentralized applications. A developer needs to know how to interact with web3.js, the truffle framework, and get an implementation for developing decentralized applications using the Solidity programming language. The ability to write code efficiently is a key requirement for Solidity engineers. A lack of experience with complex systems can negatively impact a project’s success.

Development Environment Setup.

The first step for any Solidity developer to begin work on their project is to install a development environment. The goal is to install the following:

• communicate with smart contracts from JavaScript-based applications such as Metamask or Truffle Console and easily access deployed contracts from within our code base.

Solidity for developing smart contracts in Ethereum.

Ethereum is a blockchain-based platform that allows developers to create decentralized applications (DApps). These DApps use smart contracts to function like regular apps without centralized servers. That means a Solidity developer will be able to build applications like Uber, where no one controls all the data about riders, drivers, and payments; instead, each person has full control over their own information from start to finish.

Web3.js for interacting with the Ethereum Blockchain.

Web3.js is a JavaScript API that allows interaction with the Ethereum blockchain. It allows the creation of a Web3 object, which lets you use provider functions. These providers are specific to different networks (i.e., testnet or mainnet), so an instance of web3 needs to be created for each network you want to interact with. Multiple events can be listened to for your application to respond accordingly when certain actions occur on the blockchain and its smart contracts, such as when a transaction has been sent from one wallet address to another.

Truffle Framework for building decentralized applications (dApps).

Truffle is a development environment, testing framework, and asset pipeline for Ethereum. It’s an open-source project aiming to make life easier for an Ethereum developer. For example, a Solidity developer can use the built-in web3 provider feature of Truffle to communicate with their deployed contracts via the console or through JavaScript code.

Geth implementation for understanding the Ethereum Client Software.

Geth is the command-line interface for running a full Ethereum node implemented in Go. It is also used to create and interact with smart contracts. Geth is the most popular Ethereum client, commanding over 60% of hash power on the Ethereum network.

ProCoders know how these technical skills are important for every project, as you can see that all technologies are connected to each other. If a Solidity developer lacks knowledge of at least one of them, it can affect your project drastically.

Blockchain Projects and Development

Launching a successful blockchain project requires more than just an idea—it demands a deep understanding of blockchain technology, smart contract development, and the unique requirements of decentralized applications. Skilled Solidity developers are indispensable for creating efficient smart contracts, which form the backbone of most blockchain projects.

Whether you’re developing a new digital token, building a decentralized finance (DeFi) platform, or creating a secure voting system, top Solidity developers can help you navigate the complexities of blockchain development. Their expertise ensures your project meets high standards of security, performance, and reliability, allowing you to fully leverage the benefits of blockchain platforms for your business.

Digital Token Creation

Digital token creation is a fundamental component of many blockchain projects, enabling everything from digital asset management to innovative business models. Solidity developers play a pivotal role in this process by using the Solidity programming language to create tokens such as ERC20 (fungible) and ERC721 (non-fungible) on the Ethereum blockchain.

Successful digital token creation requires extensive experience in smart contract development and a thorough understanding of blockchain technology to ensure tokens are secure, efficient, and compliant with industry standards. When hiring a freelance Solidity developer for digital token creation, look for professionals with a proven track record in blockchain development and hands-on experience with token standards and security best practices.

Benefits of Hiring Solidity Developers for Your Project

When you hire a Solidity developer for your project, you will get the following benefits:

• Dedicated Solidity developers bring vetted expertise and focused project delivery. Solidity developers can understand complex financial transactions, concepts, and environments. This is because they are highly skilled in their field. They also have an understanding of the blockchain technology that powers Ethereum.
• Solidity developers can create smart contracts for your project, enabling you to use Ethereum as a tool for your company or business. You can also use it in case you mull over how to create a Dapp that will interact with other apps on the network through API calls or anything else that comes up while writing code in Solidity.
• Solidity programmers can enhance your blockchain-based project. They can work effectively within teams to deliver results. They can help you build new products, but they also have the potential to improve your existing ones by implementing blockchain technology in them. Additionally, Solidity developers can provide tailored solutions to meet your project’s unique requirements, ensuring security, efficiency, and scalability.

Tips to Hire a Solidity Developer

Hiring a Solidity developer can be difficult. Although the demand for Solidity developers is high these days, it’s hard to find real specialists, especially when your goal is to attract top talent in the field. It especially feels in Western Europe and the USA, where the demand is higher than the offer, which increases prices.

To ensure quality and reliability, it is crucial to hire fully vetted Solidity developers who have undergone a thorough screening process. Additionally, consider flexible engagement models, such as project-based, full-time, or part-time arrangements, to best suit your project’s needs. ProCoders have put together some tips for finding and working with a Solidity developer that you can trust!

Offshoring

If you are looking for a Solidity developer for hire, you can hire them on an offshore basis. The best part about hiring someone offshore is that you will save money and time in terms of salaries and the hiring process. The hiring process in the offshore model is much faster than when you try to hire a local developer.

Additionally, considering time zone differences is important, as hiring developers in compatible time zones can facilitate real-time collaboration and make project management more efficient. Besides, you will not have to worry about office space or other expenses like bonuses, salaries, taxes, and other costs associated with hiring someone locally.

Outsource

There’s always an opportunity not to dive deep into the details of Solidity development, smart contracts, and blockchain, and to outsource the work to Solidity professionals. The advantage of this method is that it will save you time in learning all the fine points of how the blockchain works and allow you to focus on management, marketing, etc.

However, with outsourcing, there is no guarantee that the code will be tested and approved before delivery. You will need t trust your vendor t the full value, as you will have almost no control over the development process. Unfortunately, after that, everything depends on your luck: the possibility that your vendor will deliver code without testing it first, which can cause problems down the road regarding deployment and integration testing, remains.

Outstaff

Usually, when you decide to hire solidity developers, you will face many vendors offering their outstaffing services, including ProCoders. From our clients’ experience, there are some reasons why they hire solidity experts on an outstaffing basis:

• Hiring a solidity developer on an outstaffing basis allows access to a pool of professionals at a low cost.
• You can easily find a skilled professional or two for your project who will be able to complete it in time and with high quality.
• The best part is that your company does not have to invest any money or time in hiring these professionals, as they are provided to you by your vendor.
• Outstaffed developers can seamlessly join your existing team, ensuring smooth collaboration and continuity in your ongoing projects.
• You will have full control over what your developers do, as outstaffing supposes integrating a team into your business processes and development, like they are your in-house workers.

T&M vs. Fixed prices.

You will likely see two contracts and pricing structures: time and materials (T&M) and fixed price. The former means you pay for the work hourly, while the latter is a set price for a defined scope of work. Both have their pros and cons, but your choice may depend on what type of project you’re doing.

The traditional T&M model allows you the most flexibility in determining the scope of your Solidity project. However, if there are any changes in scope or problems occur during development that require additional work by your Solidity developer, they should be compensated accordingly under this model.

However, unlike fixed-price models where extra hours/days would be charged above what was agreed upon initially without adding additional value as part of normal business operations (such as dealing with bugs), they won’t receive anything extra besides what was originally agreed upon unless there are specific changes within their original agreement (which could mean higher costs).

Freelance Solidity Developers

For companies seeking flexibility and cost-effectiveness, hiring freelance Solidity developers or remote Solidity developers can be an excellent solution. These professionals can contribute to blockchain projects on a project or hourly basis, allowing you to scale your development team as needed without the commitment of a full-time hire. However, it’s essential to find vetted Solidity developers with the right technical skills, strong communication abilities, and a deep understanding of blockchain technology. A freelance Solidity developer with a proven track record of delivering high-quality projects can help you achieve your blockchain development goals efficiently, while ensuring clear communication and alignment with your project requirements.

Steps to Hire Solidity Coders Quickly for Blockchain Development with ProCoders

The hiring process begins with competition between candidates and outstaffing companies. You should have a plan for this process so that everything goes smoothly. On average, the time it takes to hire a Solidity developer through ProCoders is significantly shorter than industry standards, ensuring a quick and efficient hiring experience.

At ProCoders, we thoroughly check our Solidity specialists, and clients feel this. Once you select a candidate, a new Solidity developer can be onboarded and integrated into your team rapidly, allowing you to start your project without delay. Want to discover how we do that? Read further!

Step 1. NDA

ProCoders’ first step is to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) so that we can ensure your idea is protected. Then we’ll ask you to share your business plan with us and answer some questions about the idea.

Step 2. Research

We research the market, looking for developers at an affordable price and good quality. We look at resumes and assess whether the candidate suits us in general terms (experience level, in which companies they worked, and for how long).

Step 3. Pre-screen/Checking English

When speaking with potential employees, ProCoders try to find out if they can work well in our team. We want to know that they will fit in well with our culture, so evaluating cultural fit is an important part of our hiring process. Assessing communication skills is also a key part of our pre-screening process to ensure candidates can collaborate effectively. Our task is not simply to hire any coder; we also want someone who can make troubleshooting suggestions and help us think in new ways.

Besides, we also check the English level of our candidates, so their knowledge responds to the client’s expectations.

Step 4. Tech interviews

They are usually conducted by our technical leaders who are practicing developers, knowing what is happening in their area of ​​interest and are aware of all the trends. At the same time, they have been doing interviews for years.

Besides, ProCoders always give test tasks to all our candidates for developing positions. This is a good way to determine how well the candidate has learned the skills required for the position and if they are ready for the job.

Step 5. (optional) Interview with a client

The client can ask absolutely anything they want. Or they can even ask nothing if they fully trust our judgments about the developer.

Interview Questions to Ask When Hiring a Solidity Programmer

If you’re looking to hire a solidity programmer, you’ll want to ask them the right questions. These are some of the best questions to ask when hiring a Solidity programmer:

• What are the main differences between Solidity and other programming languages like Python, Java, or C++?
• What is an enum? What are the restrictions on their use?
• What is the function of the consensus algorithm?
• What is a constant function in Solidity?
• What is the concept of storage variables in Solidity?

How Can You Check if the Solidity Developer Fits Your Project?

You know how difficult it is to find the right kind of developer for your project. ProCoders do because we’ve been through the same thing. So, what do you do once you want to take this next step? Simple. You make a checklist that will lead you to finally finding the guy/gal for the job:

• judge their skills by asking them to solve a problem using Solidity;
• ask them about the latest changes in Ethereum. Solidity developers should know what’s going on in the Ethereum development world, which is important for security purposes;
• look for a developer who is focused on blockchain and smart contract development, as this specialization ensures they have the targeted expertise your project needs;
• make sure this person fits your personality profile before hiring them;
• check what motivates them. A Solidity developer should be ready to dive deep into their project, not just to get a good salary.

How Much Does it Cost to Hire Solidity Developers?

The cost of Solidity developers varies from country to country, and sometimes these differences can be crucial. Just have a look (annual salaries are mentioned):

Country	Junior	Middle	Senior
Portugal	$80,000	$100,000	$120,000
Croatia	$34,000	$55,000	$85,000
Estonia	$28,000	$40,000	$70,000
India	$15,000	$35,000	$50,000
Poland	$55,000	$76,000	$106,000
Mexico	$30,000	$55,000	$76,000
The UK	$90,000	$130,000	$180,000
The USA	$85,000	$125,000	$170,000

At the same time, you can consider hiring a professional from an outstaffing company, which will save your costs. For example, ProCoders have the following rates:

• average annual salary of $80,000 per project (however, everything depends on your project complexity and tasks that should be done);
• the average hourly rate of $29 per hour.

When comparing hiring models, choosing a full-time Solidity developer can provide greater consistency, stability, and long-term commitment to your project compared to freelance or part-time options. While the upfront cost may be higher, a full-time Solidity developer is often better integrated into your team and can deliver more reliable results for ongoing blockchain development.

Keep in mind that outstaffing companies exclude all the hidden costs (hiring costs, insurance, costs for software and equipment, etc.), which drastically decreases the price compared to when you want to hire crypto developers for your in-house team.

Conclusion

• An expert Solidity developer can be defined as a person who deeply understands the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). The EVM software runs on every Ethereum node and executes smart contracts.
• A good Solidity developer should be familiar with the correct development environment setup, Web3.js, Truffle Framework, and Geth implementation.
• The best thing about hiring Solidity developers for your project is that they can set up complex financial transactions, create smart contracts for your project, enable you to use Ethereum as a tool for your company or business, and improve your business process management and enhance your blockchain-based project in general.
• When hiring Solidity developers, you need to decide on the work model (offshoring, outsourcing, outstaffing, T&M vs. Fixed prices);
• When you find a Solidity developer corresponding to your work model, interview him and ask the next questions:
  • What are the main differences between Solidity and other programming languages like Python, Java, or C++?
  • What is an enum? What are the restrictions on their use?
  • What is the function of the consensus algorithm?
  • What is a constant function in Solidity?
  • What is the concept of storage variables in Solidity?
• To check if the Solidity developer fits your project, ask them about the latest changes in Ethereum, check what motivates them, etc.