[codegeek]

$40K is low for entry level programming jobs in the tri-state area (NY/NJ/CT). If you have 2+ years of experience, you should definitely ask for more but I of course don't know your current situation.

If you are having trouble getting hired, look at your experience so far and focus on being a "specialist" of some sort. For example, don't apply to any random programming job. Pick a couple of areas which could either include specific languages/frameworks (node etc) OR a domain (finance, retail etc). You need to be good at one of those areas.

[EugeneFedotov]

I definitely do not have even 1 year of experience. God, it's so hard being a specialist when you don't even know what you want as someone with barely any experience. I did NodeJS for two months for a contract.

[sikan]

Just keep doing nodejs. It pays well to be a competent javascript dev