Certainly one of our earlier articles about full-stack developer salaries touched upon the variations between a frontend developer and a backend developer.
Whereas full-stack development is an thrilling and dynamic profession path, it’s not for everybody. As such, for those who’re fascinated with a profession in programming, you could be searching for extra details about backend development. That’s why we’ve put collectively this information.
We’ll cowl what backend development encompasses, the demand for backend builders, and the common backend developer wage. We’ll additionally examine that common wage to related jobs.
By the top of this text, you’ll know what you may anticipate for those who determine to observe this profession path, in addition to whether or not it’s price it to develop into a backend developer.
Backend Development: What Is It?
Because the identify implies, backend development refers to working with backend applied sciences. If you happen to pursue a profession in backend development, you’ll work behind the scenes to make sure every little thing on the frontend runs easily.
You’ll work with databases, server applied sciences, APIs, and varied cloud-based platforms, in addition to different components of server-side development.
Let’s take a deeper look right into a backend developer’s job necessities and duties.
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Backend Developer Job Necessities and Obligations
As a backend developer, you’ll write server-side scripts that create protocols and routines liable for serving to web sites and apps talk with exterior servers to allow them to retrieve all the required data.
You’ll additionally handle all server logic, databases, and client-server information movement. Whereas a great majority of your work isn’t instantly seen, it’s essential to make sure that the core of any web site or utility runs easily.
As such, you’ll must be educated within the following applied sciences if you wish to fulfill the backend developer job necessities:
- Data of superior programming languages corresponding to Java, C#, Visible Fundamental, Ruby, and Python. Usually, you’ll additionally must know PHP and JavaScript.
- Data of related frameworks corresponding to Laravel, Django, Node.js, and related
- Working information of databases corresponding to Oracle, MySQL, or Microsoft SQL Server
- Data of information constructions and algorithms
- Understanding API and ORM if you wish to become involved with cellular backend development.
It’s price mentioning that the checklist above doesn’t imply you need to be proficient in all of these languages, frameworks, and databases. Studying the entire checklist of them wouldn’t solely take you years, however it might even be practically unimaginable to grasp all of them.
It’s much better to specialise in a specific language and develop the remainder of your tech stack to suit that language. Most backend builders concentrate on one or two languages and their accompanying applied sciences. Don’t overlook that as you achieve expertise in your subject, you may develop your skillset later.
Backend Developer Abilities
Apart from the technical know-how, you’ll additionally want a couple of further expertise underneath your belt that can make your job as a backend developer loads simpler. These embody:
- Excessive degree of math training or information
- Analytical mindset and problem-solving expertise
- Exterior-the-box considering
- Good communication expertise
The talents listed above won’t solely show you how to in your day-to-day job actions, however they’ll additionally show you how to translate enterprise necessities into useful code.
Are Backend Builders in Demand?
In response to Columbia Engineering Bootcamp, backend builders are in scorching demand proper now. These claims are backed by HubSpot’s research that exhibits international ecommerce retail gross sales will high $4.5 trillion — an business that closely depends on backend builders to ship the very best person expertise to their customers.
Statistics from the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics present that this occupation will develop 13% by 2028, because of an increase within the reputation of cellular units and the ecommerce business.
With statistics like these in thoughts, it’s protected to say that backend builders have a vivid profession forward of them. In different phrases, for those who determine to pursue this profession path, you’ll haven’t any drawback discovering job alternatives.
The Common Backend Developer Wage
So now that we’ve lined what backend development is and the talents and information you’ll want to achieve the function, let’s speak in regards to the common wage you may anticipate.
In response to Glassdoor, the common base pay for a backend developer is $80,713, calculated from 200 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor. The bottom wage submitted was round $48K, whereas the best was about $132K.
Certainly experiences the next quantity at $118,856 per yr primarily based on 2,200 salaries. Certainly additionally notes that you may anticipate a $4,000 bonus every year as a backend developer.
PayScale’s numbers are nearer to Glassdoor’s and report a mean backend developer wage of $81,161 per yr. This quantity was primarily based on 58 salaries submitted to PayScale anonymously. The bottom wage as per PayScale is $51K, and the best is $131K.
Alternatively, ZipRecruiter lists the common backend developer wage at $83,770 per yr, with the low finish being $33,500 and the excessive finish reaching $149K.
Primarily based on these numbers, the common wage for a backend developer is $90,826 per yr. That’s not dangerous in any respect, however how does it examine to related jobs?
Under, we’ll check out how the standard backend developer wage stacks in opposition to frontend and full-stack developer salaries, in addition to how incomes potential varies by expertise, location, and the programming languages you specialise in.
Backend vs Frontend Developer Salaries
Backend development is extra concerned than frontend development. Simply suppose again to all of the totally different languages, databases, and applied sciences concerned with a profession in backend development.
As such, it’s affordable to anticipate that your wage shall be larger than that of a frontend developer. However what do the numbers say?
In response to Glassdoor, the common frontend developer wage is $86,021, with a low of $51K and a excessive of $145K.
Certainly lists the common frontend developer wage at $103,887 per yr with a $2500 yearly money bonus.
PayScale lists the common wage at $75,310 per yr, with a low of $50K and a excessive of $115K per yr.
Lastly, ZipRecruiter says the common frontend developer wage is $57,017 per yr. The bottom reported wage is $25,500, and the best is $113,500 per yr.
Primarily based on these numbers, the common frontend developer wage comes out to $80,558.
At first look, the common wage of a frontend developer appears not too far behind a again developer’s wage. However as soon as you are taking a better look, the distinction is round $10,000 per yr. It’s not a staggering distinction, however it definitely proves {that a} backend developer’s job is extra demanding.
Backend vs Full-Stack Developer Salaries
Backend development is a demanding profession, however it’s not as demanding as a profession in full-stack development. Full-stack builders must know each backend and frontend development to satisfy their job necessities.
Nonetheless, many full-stack builders typically find yourself working in backend development, so it’s definitely attention-grabbing to see how these two salaries stack up.
In response to Glassdoor, the common wage for a full-stack developer is $97,849 per yr (lowest is $61K; highest is $156K).
Certainly’s numbers present that the common full-stack developer wage is $106,242 per yr, with a further $4,100 money bonus yearly.
ZipRecruiter says the common wage is $102,744 per yr, with a low of $38K and a excessive of $150K.
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In response to PayScale, the common wage is $78,951 per yr, with a low of $54K and a excessive of $115K.
Contemplating all the averages, the general common wage for a full-stack developer comes out to $96,446 per yr. The distinction isn’t that huge in comparison with the ~$90K annual common wage for a backend developer.
Nevertheless it’s on par with the expectations of full-stack builders having a barely larger wage resulting from a broader skillset and information of each frontend and backend applied sciences.
Backend Developer Wage by Expertise
To this point, we’ve in contrast the standard backend developer wage to different related jobs. Now it’s time to have a look at how your expertise degree impacts wage and what you may anticipate as a newbie vs an skilled backend developer.
For starters, let’s have a look at entry-level salaries for the function.
In response to Glassdoor, an entry-level backend developer with <1 yr of expertise can anticipate a mean wage of $82,301 per yr, with a low of $50K and a excessive of $136K.
PayScale lists the common entry-level wage at $61K per yr for lower than a yr of expertise.
ZipRecruiter says entry-level backend builders can anticipate $81,363 per yr, with a low of $21,500 and a excessive of $153K.
As your expertise grows, chances are you’ll finally attain the standing of being the lead on all main initiatives in addition to mentoring up-and-coming junior backend builders. At that degree, what are you able to anticipate relating to your wage?
Glassdoor lists the common wage for a senior backend developer with 10–14 years of expertise at $85,823 per yr, with a low of $60K and a excessive of $124K.
You probably have greater than 10 years of expertise, the common backend developer wage is $74K per yr, in line with PayScale.
ZipRecruiter lists the common wage for a senior backend developer at $137,369 per yr (lowest is $82,500; highest is $181,500).
Primarily based on these figures, a backend developer’s common entry-level wage comes right down to $74,888 per yr, whereas the senior-level wage averages out to $99,064 per yr.
Backend Developer Wage by Location
Location is one other issue to contemplate once you’re trying on the common wage for a backend developer. For instance, in line with PayScale, for those who’re in San Francisco, California, you may anticipate to earn a mean of 10.9% greater than the nationwide common.
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The identical applies to Dallas, Texas (7.2% extra) and Denver, Colorado (4.7% extra). Opposite to that, the bottom backend developer salaries are in Orlando, Florida (38.4% much less) and Boston, Massachusetts (7.9% much less).
In response to Certainly, the highest-paying cities for a backend developer are San Francisco and San Jose in California. In distinction, the lowest-paying cities are Dallas, Texas, and Las Vegas, Nevada.
In different phrases, if you wish to earn extra in your backend development profession, you’ll have to maneuver to the West Coast.
Backend Developer Wage by Nation
Now, the place you reside can weigh closely on the wage you obtain in your work as a backend developer. The demand for such builders can drive up the common wage. Likewise, if there’s an absence of demand, that may end up in a decrease common.
Let’s take a second to assessment the nations the place backend builders are in excessive demand (information courtesy of ZipRecruiter):
- Switzerland: $110k/yr (CHF 101k/yr)
- Denmark: $89k/yr (DKK 552k/yr)
- Australia: $70k/yr (A$95k/yr)
- United Kingdom: $75k/yr (£54k/yr)
- The Netherlands: $48k/yr (€41k/yr)
- Germany: $66k/yr (€56k/yr)
- Austria: $74k/yr (€63k/yr)
- Sweden: $64k/yr (SEK 552k)
- Eire: $79k/yr (€67k/yr)
- Canada: $57k/yr (CA$72k/yr)
- Finland: $55k/yr (€47k/yr)
- France: $53k/yr (€45k/yr)
- Italy: $33k/yr (€28k/yr)
- Russia: $30k/yr (2.19m/yr)
- Spain: $40k/yr (€34k/yr)
- China: $45k/yr (CN¥288k/yr)
- Portugal: $47k/yr (€40k/yr)
- Romania: $20k/yr (RON 84k/yr)
- India: $8k/yr (₹629k/yr)
Backend Developer Wage by Programming Language
We talked about earlier {that a} backend developer is often acquainted with extra languages and applied sciences than a frontend developer. That stated, your alternative of language has a direct influence on how a lot you may anticipate to make.
For instance, PayScale exhibits that expertise in Node.js are correlated to pay that’s above common. Alternatively, expertise that pay lower than the common market charge embody Java, Linux, JavaScript, and MySQL.
In response to Certainly, expertise in XSLT, Haskell, and Go can internet you wherever between a ten% and 51% improve in wage.
The Common Freelance Backend Developer Wage
A profession in backend development is rewarding, however you may not like the thought of working for an organization as a full-time worker.
Perhaps you’d prefer to work on quite a lot of initiatives and have extra of a freedom-based way of life. Maybe you’re curious about utilizing your backend builders’ expertise as a contract WordPress developer or net developer. Regardless of the case could also be, a profession in backend development doesn’t imply you need to tie your self to at least one firm.
That stated, whereas a contract backend developer profession is feasible, what occurs to your wage?
In response to Codementor, a contract backend developer can earn between $61–$80 per hour.
There isn’t a whole lot of data on how a lot a contract backend developer could make. Nonetheless, one factor to recollect right here is that you just’re instantly liable for your earnings as a freelancer. How a lot cash you make monthly or yr will depend on the variety of initiatives you may moderately tackle, in addition to your hourly charge.
Is It Value It to Turn out to be a Backend Developer?
So, relating to backend developer wage, is it price it to develop into an online developer, or do you have to pursue a special profession?
Primarily based on the numbers we’ve seen, backend builders could make a good residing. In reality, with a mean wage of $90,826 per yr, cash shouldn’t be a priority.
In fact, you need to contemplate different elements corresponding to location, the programming language and applied sciences you’re proficient in, and expertise — all of which might influence how a lot cash you find yourself making.
Even for those who determine to go the freelance route and develop into a contract backend developer, you may nonetheless make first rate cash and have a profession you like.
Cash apart, it’s additionally important to contemplate what you like doing and your pure strengths and expertise. If analytical considering, problem-solving, and outside-the-box considering come naturally to you, a profession in backend development could be a great match.
The identical applies for those who love working behind the scenes and are extra within the server-side of issues moderately than spending time on design which falls underneath the realm of frontend development.
With that in thoughts, and the truth that backend developer jobs are excessive in demand will proceed to develop, a profession in backend development is price pursuing.
Abstract
Backend builders face the distinctive problem of troubleshooting, problem-solving on the spot, and translating enterprise necessities into working code.
As such, your job may appear fairly difficult on some days, whereas at different occasions, it could be nothing however easy crusing. Whereas the bottom wage for an entry-level backend developer may appear low at $73,361, the extra expertise you collect, the simpler it’s to command 6-figures.
Remember that for those who determine to pursue a profession in backend development, you’ll earn more money than a frontend developer, however not as a lot as you’d earn as a full-stack developer. Nonetheless, for those who love working behind the scenes and suppose you may efficiently translate enterprise necessities into environment friendly and stylish code, going the backend route may very well be the suitable match.
If you happen to’re a proficient backend developer and also you’re curious about working with a extremely expert workforce in a relaxed surroundings the place tradition is as very important as technical excellence, check out our openings.
What are your ideas on these wage ranges for a backend developer? Tell us within the feedback part!
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