Which pays more full stack or backend?
When thinking about starting a career in software development many people wonder which pays more, is it full-stack or backend development that pays more? To find out, let's take a look at what each job involves, the skills needed, and their salaries.
What is Full-Stack Development?
Full stack development refers to the full process of producing application software, which consists of both the front and back ends. The front end is what you see and interact with which is similar to the buttons and style of a website. At the same time, the backend manages the logic and operations that allow the program to function.
Who is a Full-Stack Developer?
A full-stack developer is best described as a "jack of all trades." They are knowledgeable about both the visible aspects of a website or app (front end) and the behind-the-scenes parts (back end). They are also familiar with the variety of tools and technologies to build and manage a whole application.
What are the Responsibilities of a Full-Stack Developer
- Creating and building the parts of a website or app that people see and interact with.
- Setting up and looking after the systems that store and organize data.
- Maintaining code applications
- Manage web development
- Work on animations, graphics, and designs
- Effective collaboration with other developers
- Building and regularly managing the database
- Creating robust testing for Web Apps
- Ensuring the app runs smoothly from what users see to the backend functions.
What Are the Skills Required for a Full Stack Developer?
As a full-stack developer, you need to have a firm grip on multiple frameworks such as:
- Being skilled in using front-end languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
- Understanding how to use front-end tools such as React and Angular.
- Being skilled in backend languages like Python, Java, Ruby, or PHP.
- Knowing how to use databases like MySQL, MongoDB, or PostgreSQL.
- Being conversant with tools such as Git for managing and tracking code changes.
The ability to solve problems is a company's most crucial competency it’s very important, you will also need strong soft skills, like good communication, effective time management, and creativity.
Full Stack Developer Salary
Talking about the average annual salary of a full-stack developer, you can expect to earn $64,000 - $98,000 when working in Canada, you can expect to earn $91,000 - $164,000 as a full-stack developer when working in the United States
According to Glassdoor, a senior full-stack developer in the United States can earn an annual salary of $135,000 - $220,000
Backend Developer
A backend developer on the other hand is responsible for the server side of web applications. They are responsible for creating and maintaining the technology that powers the front-end components with which users interact.
What are the Responsibilities of a Backend Developer
- Creating backend architecture and designing efficient databases
- Creating APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) for communication among various software components.
- Implementing server-side logic and algorithms.
- Ensuring great performance, scalability, and security for web applications
- Working with front-end developers, designers, and other stakeholders
What Are the Skills Required for a Backend Developer
As a backend developer, you need to:
- Have good knowledge of back-end programming languages such as Python, Java, Ruby, or PHP.
- Have a good understanding of database management and design
- Be familiar with APIs
- Have an understanding of server, network, and hosting settings.
Backend Developer Salary
Talking about the average annual salary of a backend developer, you can expect to earn $64,000 - $104,000 when working in Canada, you can expect to earn $87,000 - $151,000 as a backend developer when working in the United States.
According to Glassdoor, a senior backend developer in the United States can earn an annual salary of $127,000 - $203,000.
Salary Comparison
Senior full-stack developers receive better pay than senior back-end developers. The reason why companies are prepared to pay extra for senior full-stack engineers is mainly because it is more efficient to hire one individual who can do both front-end and back-end work rather than hiring two persons for each position.
However, backend developers often earn a bit more than full-stack developers because their work is specialized and crucial for application functionality. Also, full-stack developers, who can manage both front-end and back-end tasks, are also highly valued and can earn competitive salaries.
Conclusion
Choosing between full stack and backend development should depend on what you like and what you're good at. But if you enjoy working on both the visual and technical aspects of applications, full-stack development might be the best for you. And if you prefer focusing on the server-side logic and managing databases, backend development could be a better fit for you. Both career paths are rewarding and offer many opportunities for growth.