Full-Stack Development Salaries in 2024: A Comprehensive Guide

Last Updated 12/08/2023

In the technology industry, software development stands as one of the most sought-after, lucrative, and flexible professions. Building a robust skill set is essential for those seeking a career in software development. Whether you choose the path of self-learning, traditional university education, or immersive coding bootcamps like Grace Hopper Program, your coding proficiency will significantly impact your career trajectory. How much you can make as a professional software developer in 2024 hinges significantly on this factor, along with where you reside.

This article covers:

• The Average Full-Stack Web Developer Salary

• The Average Front-End Developer Salary

• The Average Back-End Developer Salary

• Average Salaries for Different Programming Languages

• Negotiation Tips

What Is a Full-Stack Developer?

Full-stack developers are highly sought after due to the versatility of their skill set. They can handle the entire development process, from designing user interfaces and the user experience (front-end) to maintaining servers and what drives the logic in tech (back-end). Other reasons why full-stack developers are in demand include the following:

Efficiency: A full-stack developer can work both on the front-end and back-end, reducing the need to rely on other developers and saving companies time and resources.

Creativity: By leveraging a broad range of skills, full-stack developers can devise innovative solutions to problems that may arise during development.

Independence: As a result of their skill set, full-stack developers can handle entire software projects independently without relying on specialized teams to bring them to completion.

What Skills Does a Full-Stack Developer Need?

Full-stack developers are proficient with languages like JavaScript, C++, Ruby, HTML, and CSS. Beyond these skills and knowledge, full-stack developers must understand basic design principles to help create user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing interfaces. They should also have a thorough grasp of the following:

• Databases

• Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)

• Back-End Frameworks

• Server Administration

• Version Control Systems

• Deployment Tools

• Testing and Debugging

• Communication and Teamwork

With technology ever-evolving, full-stack software developers should be constant learners who remain up-to-date on the latest technologies, trends, and tools.

Average Full-stack Web Developer Salary

If you can master the skills to do what typically requires two employees, you can garner a higher salary than either a strictly front-end or back-end developer.

According to Glassdoor, the average full-stack developer salary in the United States in 2023 was $94,395. The average salary for a full-stack developer in the United States is expected to remain high in 2024, with a projected median annual salary of $122,000 according to Indeed.

How to Become a Full-Stack Developer

The Grace Hopper Program immersive online coding bootcamps offer an in-depth curriculum that covers computer science fundamentals as well as front-end and back-end software development. The bootcamps are live online and taught by industry-experienced professionals using a curriculum that incorporates hands-on training, active learning, and career development. Graduates leave with a portfolio to show employers and job-ready skills that qualify them for roles like full-stack developer, software engineer, and more. Part-time and full-time class schedule options are available to help you fit gaining new skills into your life, whether you're looking to change careers or advance your current one.

Average Front-End Developer Salary

In front-end development, you create the visual and interactive elements of a website or mobile application. Front-end developers can specialize in a variety of programming languages, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

Front-end developers typically have a strong understanding of design principles and are able to create websites that are both aesthetically pleasing and easy to use. They also need to be able to code in a wide range of languages and frameworks.

The average salary for a front-end developer in the United States is $110,141 per year, according to Indeed.

Average Back-End Developer Salary

Back-end developers create the core computational logic of a website, software, or information system. They are responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining the underlying architecture that powers user interactions and data processing. Back-end developers possess a deep understanding of programming languages, frameworks, and databases, enabling them to build robust and scalable applications.

While back-end developers have traditionally commanded higher salaries than front-end developers, due to the technical complexity of their work, the salary gap is gradually narrowing. This convergence stems from the increasing sophistication of front-end development, which now incorporates more complex programming techniques and shares a growing number of technologies with back-end development.

According to Glassdoor, the average back-end developer salary in the United States is $112,223 per year.

Average Salaries for Different Programming Languages

Another factor that influences your developer salary is how in-demand your skills are. Three of the most sought-after programming languages right now are JavaScript, Python, and Ruby. Remember, salaries fluctuate based on location, so keep that in mind when you’re doing your research.

Here are the current average salaries for these roles in New York City for 2024:

• JavaScript Developer: $132,123 (Source: Indeed)

• Python Developer: $128,345 (Source: Glassdoor)

• Ruby Developer: $137,234 (Source: Payscale)

When deciding which programming language to learn, you should also consider the volume of job openings per language.

Tips for Negotiating a Salary

Before entering any salary negotiation, it's crucial to understand your market value. Research average salaries for your position, experience level, and location using resources like Glassdoor and Payscale. This will give you a realistic range to negotiate within.

Next, set a minimum acceptable salary, or your "walk-away number"—the lowest you're willing to accept. This will serve as your anchor during negotiations and prevent you from settling for less than what you deserve.

With your research and walk-away number in hand, you're ready to negotiate confidently. Remember, salary negotiations are a two-way street. The company wants your skills and experience, so don't be afraid to advocate for yourself.

For those looking to gain tech and career success skills, a Grace Hopper Program tech bootcamp may be the right choice for you. In addition to industry-specific learning, Fullstack Academy offers career success training and job search assistance to help you land a job. Career success training includes how to articulate your skills to employers, negotiate your salary, optimize your resume, and much more.