Back-End Developers
Overview
Introduction
Software applications have two components: the front-end and the back-end. The front-end consists of the features that the user sees and utilizes (i.e., the user interface). The back-end consists of the components that are unseen by the user, but that are vital for implementing the commands of the user (e.g., login to an account, make a purchase in an online store, access data, update contact information). Back-end developers design, develop, and troubleshoot and repair these components, which include the server, the application, an...
Quick Facts
Median Salary
Employment Prospects
Minimum Education Level
Experience
Skills
Personality Traits
Earnings
Back-end developers earned salaries that ranged from $50,000 to $131,000 in 2021, according to PayScale.com. They received a median annual salary of $79,996. Highly experienced and skilled developers can earn more than $200,000 a year.
Some developers receive bonuses, access to profit-sharing programs, and other non-salary–related financial awards. In 2021, back-end developers received b...
Work Environment
Back-end developers work in both standard office environments and in home offices and other remote settings. They usually work in a team of two or more developers, and also collaborate with front-end developers, user experience architects, computer security specialists, and software engineers. At a large employer, members of the back-end development team specialize in various areas such as Web ...
Outlook
Each year, LinkedIn spotlights emerging careers that are experiencing “tremendous growth.” Its 2020 Emerging Jobs Report identified 15 fast-growing careers, and the occupation of back-end developer ranked 11th on its list. LinkedIn says that this career is “likely to continue to grow as virtually every company builds a digital property. It’s also a job that can largely be done from any...