There’s no question that software development is one of the hottest tech career paths to get into these days. However, many individuals entering this industry feel like they have to make a choice: does their working style suit front-end or back-end development? Are they more about style and polish or rigor and grinding? It’s possible to have a career that utilizes skills needed for front-end and back-end development with a career as a full-stack developer.
In this guide, we’ll explain how full-stack development binds the whole software development process together and why it’s one of the most exciting specializations today. We’ll cover the education pathways you should take to progress in this field and detail your salary and outlook as a full-stack web developer.
Why Become a Full Stack Developer?
They say that the best way to get where you want in life is to specialize. Let’s bear that in mind to dispel one myth about full stack developer jobs: yes, your skillset has to be broad, but this is not a jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none position. You need intensely specialist knowledge to succeed as a full-stack web developer.
Your web design and JavaScript skills need to be as sharp as your database maintenance. You will draw from back-end and front-end development, and you probably will be the only person on the team who can synthesize that knowledge and apply it. Why would there be a need for full-stack developer jobs otherwise?
In fact, in small projects, a full-stack web developer can be the entire development team. Just look at Eric Barone (not that Stardew Valley was a small project, but that’s full-stack development in action!) Your specialist knowledge in multiple areas is also incredibly valuable to employers because it means you can double down on either side when needed.
High Demand
The flexibility of a full-stack web developer means that demand is always very high, even by the standards of software careers. The 2021 Stack Overflow survey drew results from over 80,000 participants and asked them which professional title(s) they applied to themselves. The overwhelming leader was a full-stack developer, with 49.47% of respondents identifying as such. This rose to 50.27% in the U.S.
One thing we learn from this survey is the currency that is attached to the title of the full-stack web developer. Over half of software professionals in the U.S. identify as this because it’s considered perhaps the most useful and employable role of all.
Varied & Interesting Work
The nature of the role means that you’ll be more concerned with the back-end of the process in some projects, while in others, you’ll be more oriented towards final product development. This means that:
- As you discover which areas you flourish in, you’ll identify which jobs would suit your skills best
- You’ll always have opportunities to build your skills and take on new challenges.
Variety is the spice of life, and there’s no better way to ensure variety than by taking on a multifaceted role. Full-stack development jobs are constantly throwing up new challenges: bringing front-end and back-end development together is never the same task twice.
The Stack Overflow survey also shows that this career path experiences global demand. In countries with booming software industries such as India, demand for full-stack web developer jobs increased by an incredible 20% from 2017 through 2018.
If you’re interested in working abroad and want a fulfilling professional that is internationally transferable, there’s never been a better time to become a full-stack web developer.
Excellent Salary & Outlook
The BLS only provides generalized statistics for software development jobs but says the median annual salary for these roles is around $110,000. Talent.com offers a similar estimate of $107,500 per year for full-stack developer jobs and further reports that the average salary at the entry-level is around $88,000. It suggests that senior positions offer salaries of around $145,000 per year.
The BLS also reports that demand for software professionals in this field is forecast to increase by 22% from 2019 through 2029, far faster than the national average of 3-4%. Given that full-stack development jobs are among the most constantly in-demand of all in software career paths, this is a very strong outlook indeed and is another reason that you should consider becoming a full-stack web developer.
Education Pathways to Become a Full Stack Developer
For a highly technical role, an obvious question is: will a college degree help you get a full-stack developer job?
The simple answer is yes. College degrees are considered desirable by employers because they provide evidence of years of study from an accredited institution, and they’re a great way to help you find jobs in full-stack development.
The more nuanced answer is that while it helps, you don’t need a college degree to become a full-stack developer. A 2016 global survey of software professionals found that 69% were partially or fully self-taught (13%). Furthermore, the 2021 Stack Overflow survey found that:
- Only 53.59% of respondents learned to code at college (although 65% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher)
- 59.53% used online resources to help them learn
- 40.43% had completed an online course to obtain certification
We’re not saying don’t go to college: degrees are a fantastic way to learn, become well-rounded and are highly respected by employers as it shows commitment to completing a long-term goal. We’re just saying that there are many paths into a career as a full-stack developer.
Bachelor’s Degree
A bachelor’s degree provides a rigorous learning experience and will take you through the skills you need to succeed in front-end and back-end development. Some of the most popular bachelor’s degree programs for this career path include:
- Computer science
- Computer engineering
- Software engineering
- Computer programming
A strong background in a technical discipline will stand you in good stead to find your first job as a full-stack web developer.
Master’s Degree
Master’s degrees help provide you with advanced skills and specialization in a certain area. During your undergraduate studies, you may find that there’s a particular area of full-stack development that you consider the most vital for success — for example, creating an intuitive framework that allows the front-end to work more effectively and having the front-end understand how to utilize this.
Taking a master’s degree is a great way to build up your knowledge of a specialist area and sets you apart from the competition in the eyes of an employer. It can also help you progress to senior roles if you’re already working in full-stack development.
Certificate Programs in Full Stack Development
Certificate programs are an excellent and affordable way to learn skills that will help you thrive in this career path. They typically last between a few weeks and a few months and cost far less than a college degree.
You could enroll in a certificate program in coding to get you started and help you understand what this field is about. If you already have coding skills, you could enroll in a more advanced certificate program that teaches you how you more in-depth skills. They will also teach you how they can be applied in a full-stack web developer job.
Full Stack Developer Bootcamps
Over 10% of respondents to the 2021 Stack Overflow survey reported that they completed coding bootcamp. If you’re looking to develop your coding skills quickly and learn which areas you need to improve in, web development bootcamps are a great option. These intensive programs may last a few months or even over a year and frequently include one-to-one guidance. They can help direct you to the most relevant coding specializations for full-stack developer jobs.
Self-Study
The vast majority of software professionals engage in self-study. Whether you use online resources alongside advanced degrees or teach yourself coding skills from scratch, there’s an overwhelming volume of brilliant resources online to help you learn.
It’s a good practice to get into: you’ll want to continue to learn to code through self-study even once you’ve found your first job as a full-stack web developer.
Software Skills You Need for Full Stack Developer Jobs
As a full-stack web developer, you need sharp skills in back-end and front-end development. Here are some of the most crucial skills you’ll pick up along the way.
- Front-end programming languages. JavaScript is overwhelmingly the most used language in this field, while HTML and CSS are also considered mandatory. C# is widely used and is a great addition to your portfolio.
- Back-end programming languages. You’ll need strong skills in languages like Python (perhaps the most beloved by back-end programmers), Java, Ruby, and PHP. C and C++ provide grounding for PHP and are both considered desirable in themselves. SQL is also vital for a full-stack web developer.
- Web design and UI design. Part of your front-end responsibilities will be ensuring that everything built from the back creates an attractive and easy-to-use product. Strong web design skills are essential for this.
- Testing. Some argue that back-end programmers do the heavy lifting with the rigorous testing and database maintenance that stands behind every successful software project. The truth is that every part of the process is equally important, but you’ll need to have a strong understanding of testing best practices and be invested in the grind of troubleshooting.
- Communication. Full-stack development is what holds each side of the process together. You need to help both back-end and front-end programmers work in a way that benefits the other, and use your broad knowledge base to communicate shared goals. It’s not just people, either: you’ll use your unique understanding of each side to ensure that the software communicates efficiently.
Full Stack Developer Career Pathways
Below we outline the responsibilities you’ll take on at each level in this career path.
Entry-Level
At the entry-level, you’ll be consolidating your skills in front and back-end programming. This will involve a lot of time testing and debugging, as well as helping with web design and UI/UX objectives.
Mid-Level
After working on several projects, you may be given control of a new project. Your duties will involve setting goals for back and front-end developers and working between them to achieve these goals. You will oversee smooth interaction between each end and working to achieve an attractive product that performs well.
Senior Level
At the senior level, you could lead a software team on a large-scale, ambitious project. You may have a substantial team working for you, and you’ll be responsible for coordinating their work and ensuring that key targets are being met. You’ll still be hands-on, using your expertise to guide your team and create high-quality software solutions.
Full Stack Developer Job Description – Example
As a full stack developer, you’ll work closely with the product marketing team to create marketing-driven applications that support our customers and partners. You’ll be responsible for building and maintaining these applications, and you’ll also work on maintaining and improving existing code. You will also be responsible for designing and implementing new features, as well as troubleshooting bugs and performance issues.
Responsibilities include:
- Design and implement new features, as well as troubleshooting bugs and performance issues
- Maintain the application’s codebase according to standards
- Help ensure continuous integration of code changes
- Collaborate with product marketing to produce marketable software
- Become an expert in the related technologies including Ruby on Rails, HTML5/CSS3, Javascript, SQL
- Develop project documentation and design specifications
- Write clear design documents
- Provide technical support for end users
- Manage bugs via bug tracking systems such as Jira or Pivotal Tracker
Building a Portfolio
A strong portfolio is essential for showcasing a full stack developer’s skills and expertise, which can attract potential employers or clients. By presenting a variety of projects that demonstrate different skills and abilities, developers can effectively communicate their proficiency in the field.
When creating an impressive portfolio, it’s crucial to provide clear explanations of each project, highlighting the technologies used and the developer’s role in the process. Including code samples and links to live projects or GitHub repositories allows interested parties to explore the developer’s work in more detail, further solidifying their credibility and skill set.
Job Search and Networking
Finding job opportunities as a full stack developer can be made easier with the help of online job portals and websites, such as LinkedIn and Indeed. Company career pages and direct applications also offer potential job openings. For those looking for freelance opportunities, platforms like Upwork and Freelancer can be valuable resources.
Networking plays a crucial role in expanding one’s career opportunities. Attending industry events and meetups, joining online communities and forums, and connecting with professionals in the field can all contribute to establishing valuable relationships and uncovering hidden job prospects.
When preparing for interviews, it’s essential to brush up on technical knowledge and skills, as well as practice problem-solving and coding exercises. Being prepared to discuss past projects and experiences will help showcase the developer’s expertise and demonstrate their suitability for the role.
What Companies Hire Full Stack Developers?
The tech giants like Google and Amazon are constantly on the lookout for new talent, but many companies pay handsomely for well-qualified full-stack development professionals:
- IBM. One of the largest and longest-standing tech companies in the world, IBM has been at the forefront of technology for over a century. It offers a wide range of full-stack developer jobs in this field, and you’ll be helping it produce cutting-edge software solutions in cloud computing, cognitive computing, and more.
- Booz Allen Hamilton. This company provides global solutions for many sectors, including engineering, analytics, cybersecurity, and digital solutions. You may work on projects in any of these areas when you apply for a Booz Allen Hamilton full-stack developer job: this makes it a great place to aim for if you specialize in a certain area.
- SAP. Providing software solutions for companies worldwide, your role as a full-stack development professional at SAP will involve working on bespoke solutions for the company’s clients. This firm has locations globally, so if it’s your dream to work on intuitive software solutions while exploring different places and cultures, it’s a great place to begin your journey.
Full Stack Developer Interview Questions – Examples
- What are some of the top programming languages you think are important in this role?
- Which languages do you know and what is your level of proficiency?
- What is the most difficult aspect of being a developer?
- Share an example of a time you were able to make an impact on the company by improving the infrastructure.
- How do you go about collaborating with people who aren’t as technical as you?
- What are the benefits of using a full stack developer?
- How are you able to work on both frontend and backend?
- What are your thoughts on RESTful APIs?
- What is your experience with React.js?
For more tips on how to ace this interview, check out our full stack developer interview question guide.
Conclusion
Being a full-stack developer isn’t about having skills in both back-end and front-end development without mastery. It’s the exact opposite: you must know more about both than if you were just a front-end or back-end specialist. It’s a demanding job but highly regarded and rewarded.
Become one of the most highly skilled and in-demand software professionals in the U.S. by training as a full-stack web developer.
