What Is a Full-Stack Developer?

Key takeaways

Full-stack developers take part in all aspects of software development, from user experience design to server-side database management.

• Full-stack developers earn a median total salary of $119,000 annually in the US [1]. 

• Full-stack developers are skilled in both front-end and back-end languages and technologies, as well as web design and database management.

• You can become a full-stack developer by earning a degree in computer science or a related field, researching the skills employers need, developing your coding skills, building a portfolio of your work, and practicing technical interview questions.

Explore the role of a full-stack developer, including important skills, the salary you can expect, and how to get into this field. If you’re ready to start a career as a full-stack developer, enroll in the Microsoft Full-Stack Developer Professional Certificate program. You’ll have the opportunity to learn how to build complete web applications with a tech industry leader, including object-oriented programming principles, CI/CD practices, and .NET Core development, in as little as nine months. Upon completion, you’ll have earned a career certificate for your resume.

What does a full-stack developer do?

Full-stack developers design and create websites and applications for various platforms. The job description for this role might include the following:

• Develop and maintain web services and interfaces

• Contribute to front-end and back-end development processes

• Build new product features or APIs

• Perform tests, troubleshoot software, and fix bugs

• Collaborate with other departments on projects and sprints

The world of full-stack development is large, and many new and evolving technologies continually push the limits of what a full-stack developer can create. Staying on top of cutting-edge technology and techniques in the full-stack development field is one of the many exciting aspects of working in this role.

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4 skills to have for full-stack developer jobs

Full-stack developers may be creative, graphically inclined, internet- and tech-savvy, and have excellent attention to detail. You’ll want to learn the following skills to have a career in full-stack development:

1. Front-end skills

Front-end development is the process of creating the interface of a website. It entails coding details like drop-down menus, fonts, colors, and page layouts. Full-stack developers should also know how to work with front-end technologies like HTML, CSS, and scripting languages such as JavaScript to make websites and applications visually viable and appealing.

2. Back-end development

Back-end development entails using server-side programming languages like Python, PHP, Ruby on Rails, and CakePHP. This process requires a strong knowledge of algorithms, cloud computing, and popular technology stacks, like MERN.

3. Web design

Web design includes using software such as Photoshop to create graphics, themes, and other visual elements of digital products. It’ll be helpful to familiarize yourself with basic UI (user interface) design principles to help you create navigational elements, backgrounds, and audio and video elements.

4. Database management

Data skills are required for full-stack developers, and they are also part of the skills needed for back-end web development. A full-stack developer should be able to design, understand, and manipulate database queries and web storage.

As a full-stack developer, you may need to know your way around a few of the following programming languages and tools:

• AngularJS

• Apache HTTP Server

• AWS

• CSS

• Ember.js

• JavaScript

• jQuery

• Laravel

• Microsoft SQL Server

• MySQL

• Nginx

• Node.js

• PHP

• Polymer

• React

• Ruby on Rails

• Vue.js

Why pursue a career in full-stack development?

A career in full-stack development combines creativity with analysis. As a full-stack developer, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to learn and implement innovative principles in your work.

Full-stack developer salary and job outlook

The median annual total salary of a full-stack developer is $119,000, according to Glassdoor, including bonuses, commissions, and profit-sharing [1]. The job outlook for full-stack developers is bright, as they are highly sought-after by employers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, software development positions are expected to grow by 15 percent between 2024 and 2034 [2].

Will AI replace full-stack developers?

While AI might automate some repetitive aspects of a full-stack developer’s job, it won’t completely replace full-stack developers. Instead, AI will enhance the way full-stack developers work, from generating code snippets and detecting bugs with high accuracy to suggesting personalized design ideas and automating testing and documentation.

How to become a full-stack developer

A formal education can provide a strong foundation for a full-stack developer career. Earning a bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, or a related field equips you with the technical and workplace skills employers seek. Here's how to get started on your journey.

Consider earning a degree or equivalent experience.

Seventy-two percent of software developers hold a bachelor's degree, according to Zippia [3], although it’s not a strict requirement. Full-stack developers typically study computer science, computer engineering, or a related field. A degree can hone the technical and workplace skills necessary to be an effective full-stack engineer.

Research entry-level roles.

You'll find various levels of full-stack development jobs. Search job sites for junior or entry-level full-stack developer positions to understand what skills employers are looking for in applicants. 

Develop your coding skills through full-stack developer courses.

To be an effective full-stack developer, acquire and continue upgrading your knowledge of applicable programming language skills. Consider taking courses in relevant languages, such as Python, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. 

Build a portfolio.

A portfolio shows potential employers what you’re capable of by highlighting your best work. Gather projects you’ve completed through coursework or previous jobs. Include screenshots, and describe the technologies you used and your role in each. 

Read more: 7 UX Designer Portfolio Examples: A Beginner’s Guide

Practice technical interview questions.

Interviews for tech-related roles often include a technical portion. During this part of the interview, you may be asked to complete a live coding exercise, design challenge, or take-home assessment. You'll also be asked questions about your technical skills. Prepare by practicing answering questions you may be asked in a full-stack developer interview.

Glossary of full-stack developer terms

Full-stack development is full of unique terms. Below you will find a few of the frequent ones:

AngularJS: An open-source web application framework that Google maintains

API: Software that allows two applications to exchange information, short for application programming interface

Bootstrap: An open-source collection of front-end tools to create websites and apps

Flask: A micro-web application framework written in Python

Framework: A layered structure that provides a foundation for developing software applications

MEAN stack: A free, open-source JavaScript software stack to build websites and apps

Open-source software (OSS): Software that has a source code that can be modified, distributed, or integrated into other projects freely

PHP: Short for hypertext preprocessor, a server-side (back-end) scripting language for web development

Python: A general-purpose, high-level programming language 

Stack: A set of tools and technologies that developers use to do their jobs

Discover resources to keep you on track

Want to level up your learning? Get the latest career insights by joining our LinkedIn newsletter, Career Chat! Or if you want to keep exploring software development careers and skills, check out these free resources:

• Test your skills: Front-End Development Skill Assessment

• Watch on YouTube: From Zero to Full Stack Hero: Developer Career Guide 

• Hear from a fellow learner: How One Software Developer’s Leadership Aspirations Led Her to Graduate School 

Whether you want to develop a new skill, get comfortable with an in-demand technology, or advance your abilities, keep growing with a Coursera Plus subscription. You’ll get access to over 10,000 flexible courses.

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