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What Is a Full Stack Developer? Here’s What Their Job Entails

An image of a full stack developer working at his computer.

The world of tech offers many professional opportunities for candidates who have studied a technical discipline in college, attended a trade program, or just gained raw experience through previous jobs. The question for so many is what to do with all this high-value knowledge.

One excellent career option is to become a full stack web developer. You might have heard about this career path, but do you know precisely what it is, what it entails, and how to become one?

Some consider this position a bit of a catch-all, lending support for projects when and where needed, but it has become a vital component in the web development process. It requires a series of specialized skills to become a full stack developer and oversee a team’s web development processes.

Let’s explore this promising field to see if it fits your professional goals.

What Is a Full Stack Web Developer?

Full stack technology describes the entire scope of a specific computer system application. Essentially, you work to support two distinct development domains: front-end and back-end.

Front-End Development

Front-end development consists of everything that a client or site viewer can see and interact with. It uses specific front-end programming languages to create everything a user is able to see in a web browser.


RELATED: What is a Front-End Developer?


Back-End Development

Back-end development refers to the background operations, including the servers, databases, and other internal infrastructure. The end user rarely, if ever, interacts with this area directly.

A Full Stack Developer Understands & Supports the Whole Process

Full stack developers will work to understand the internal systems and methods to create a seamless end-user experience. Just as importantly, the career calls for the testing of the user experience to work out any issues before the software or an app is released to the end user.

The development team needs a full stack developer to hold and share unique insights into both parts of the development process to ensure that a high-quality product is delivered to the end user with as few issues as possible.

What Do Full Stack Developers Need to Know and Do?

As we’ve discussed, full stack developers can handle end-to-end processes for a development team on the front-end and back-end. To become one, here are a few high-level tasks you’ll need to know how to do:

  • Create websites that have a vigorous internal architecture that delivers an organic, intuitive, and seamless interface to clients
  • Code with various languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
  • Work within back-end technologies and database structures
  • Understand and manage databases and servers
  • Develop client-facing platforms
  • Keep up with emerging trends and technologies to benefit your employer
  • Create functional databases and servers that support client-facing content
  • Analyzing how responsive the applications are for end users
  • Troubleshooting issues
  • Work with the graphic design team and specialized developers, like .NET developers, to deliver a high-quality product to the client

As a full stack professional, you might work with a specific product from its initial creation through its final launch to the client. In this role, it is important to learn industry standards and best practices to work out issues, ensuring any technical concerns are addressed at each step in the process.

Typically, as a full stack developer, you aren’t the only member of the development team. This isn’t a job to excuse hiring a front-end and back-end developer. You typically will work with your own team of developer and work alongside other teams (like graphic designer or product managers) to accomplish goals.

Are Full Stack Developers in Demand?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has reported that web developers and digital designers can expect 23% growth from 2021 to 2031 in this field, making it a promising career path.

What Is a Full Stack Developer Salary?

The average full stack developer salary is just north of $100,000, according to Salary.com. The pay rate for full stack developers can sway a little based on responsibilities, location, and other factors.

Are You Looking for a Full Stack Developer Job?

If you’re ready to start looking at available jobs, visit the Insight Global job board to find thousands of listings for you to consider, or contact us to learn more!