Back End Developer Job Outlook

Back End Developers are in high demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects an eight percent growth rate in web development and digital design over the next decade, faster than the average job growth. Read on to learn more about the many opportunities in this engaging corner of the tech field.

What is a Back End Developer?

Back End Developers work on the server or back end side of a website. While the front end of a website is what users engage with, the back end applications are behind the scenes. These can include complex programs, data storage, and third-party Application Programming Interfaces or APIs.

Back end development entails creating a website’s application processes, database, and server. Full Stack Developers are those who can perform front and back end development tasks. Though some development professionals do one or the other, the demand for Front End, Back End, or Full Stack developers depends on location, industry, skill sets, and related factors. Read on to learn more about back end development professionals.

What is the Job Outlook for Back End Development?

Job Outlook

Although current growth rates have slowed, the job outlook for back end development remains robust. Numerous high-tech roles require back end skills, not just those with the Back End Developer title. For example, a Full Stack Developer needs both front end and back end skills, and many move up to this role after working as Back End Developers.

Many Python and JavaScript Developers also need back end development skills for their roles. While Python Developers only use it for back end rather than front end development, JavaScript Developers increasingly use that programming language for both. As a result, Back End Developers may need to learn one or both of these essential languages.

An essential point to remember is that not all roles requiring back end expertise mention it in their titles. Besides the Full Stack Developer role, jobs that demand back end skills can include such titles as:

• Junior Developer
• Junior Software Engineer
• Junior Web Developer
• Software Developer
• WordPress Web Developer

Other job postings list it as all one word, backend. Examples include:

• Backend Java Developer
• Backend Nodejs Developer
• Java Backend Developer
• Junior Backend Developer
• Lead Java Backend Engineer

Although the lack of consistency might seem like a drawback, it can be an advantage. Think of the Back End Developer job search as one with many alternate titles, and you will find more back end roles than you might otherwise have imagined.

Future Growth

Tech professionals proficient in server-side development can include Back End or Full Stack Developers and those with programming languages in the title, like Python or JavaScript Developer. Additional knowledge for back end development pros includes Java and PHP, HTML/CSS, and APIs. With such a diverse range of expertise, these knowledgeable development experts are always in demand.

Future growth looks assured, according to numerous online sources. In focusing on back end development as essential to web design, development, and maintenance, employers seeking such workers also highlight additional skills and knowledge. Database management, familiarity with version control, and implementation of server-side algorithms are among the many requirements for some positions.

The rise of cloud computing has led to additional requirements for back end development professionals. Developers must be familiar with one or more of the best-known platforms—Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure.

Finally, development pros should have knowledge and experience in two areas that are only sometimes attributable to them: cybersecurity and performance optimization. Back end developers must be familiar with security best practices since they are the gatekeepers of server-side applications, architecture, and databases. These include data encryption, security patches, logging and monitoring, and implementing session expiration protocols.

Industries

One of the best aspects of a web development career is that organizations in virtually every industry and sector need websites. Back End Developers can work for private companies, governmental agencies, or even as freelancers.

Nonetheless, some industries require much higher expertise in development, cybersecurity, and maintenance than others. Consider the following examples:

• Aerospace & Defense - The aerospace and defense sector is one industry or combination of industries that requires in-depth expertise from all participants. In government, the Defense Department needs professionals with development expertise who can also pass a high-security clearance. Government websites may need to be accessible to the general public but also highly secure. Public or private aerospace organizations’ websites must also be more sophisticated than the average site.
• Business, Financial Services & Insurance (BFSI) - Banking and financial services websites must also be highly secure while maintaining ease of use for customers and clients. With the advent of mobile banking, consumers use their smartphones to check balances and make transactions. Back End Developers in this field may need to create software, security protocols, data encryption, and other measures to ensure customers’ accounts are safe—whether checking bank balances on desktop computers or trading stocks on their phones.
• Healthcare & Life Sciences - One of the biggest information transfers across the country has evolved over the last two decades. Although they were slow to adopt electronic records, the medical profession is finally on board. Patients today often register for appointments through online portals, providing healthcare workers with their information before their first consultation. While front end designs should make patients’ web navigation easier, private practices count on Back End Developers to safeguard personal medical information. Aspects of back end development like database management and cybersecurity are essential for these professionals. Every new doctor or dentist who joins a multi-specialty facility or opens a private practice needs a Back End Developer to ensure their patient journey works safely and seamlessly.

Salary

One of the best aspects of launching a career in back end development is the chance to earn a high salary. When comparing annual pay for Back End Developer positions, consider healthcare savings plans, 401(k) employer matching, and other benefits as part of total compensation.

While development salaries tend to be strong across the board, consider the following essential questions when reviewing average or median compensation:

• How much do back end development jobs pay in your chosen location? Start with the average or median salary for all positions in that area, and compare that figure with your desired role.
• Does the average salary for Back End Developers match the cost of living in your city or town? Factor your housing, taxes, transportation, and other expenses. Remember that larger metro areas tend to pay higher salaries than smaller towns. Similarly, large corporations may have more robust benefits packages than small private companies.
• How does your industry or sector compare to others for Back End Developer pay? If you are launching your career, you might choose an industry based on factors like salary, mobility, or the chance for advancement. If you have relevant experience in a particular industry, you might benefit from applying your new back end development skills there.

Starting a career in back end development can be both challenging and exciting. While compensation is certainly a factor, it is not the only one. Some development pros learn back end skills for a full stack position, whereas others focus entirely on server-side roles. Formulate a plan for your development job search, and you can find the right company with a salary that more than meets your needs.

How Do I Find a Back End Developer Job?

If you plan to search for a Back End Developer position, odds are you will not find too many job listings that only specify back end development skills. A keyword search on sites like Indeed or LinkedIn will more likely return results like:

• Front End Web Developer
• Full Stack Developer
• Junior Developer
• Junior Software Engineer
• Junior Web Developer
• Software Developer
• WordPress Web Developer

You might be dismayed that so few listings mention back end development in the title. However, this does not mean that none of them require back end skills. On the contrary, a Full Stack development position always demands front and back end expertise, and many junior web development roles are simply Back End Developer positions with alternate titles.

It may require some extra digging on your part to find appropriate listings. Remember that the responsibilities and qualifications sections matter more than the title for back end development roles.

Learn the Skills to Become a Back End Developer at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop provides multiple bootcamps and certificate programs for students to learn back end development tools and skills in person or live online via teleconferencing. Subjects include JavaScript, Node.js, Python, and React, to name a few. Consider the following courses:

• JavaScript Development Certificate - The immersive JavaScript Development Certificate program is appropriate for those looking to become Front End, Full Stack, or JavaScript Developers. This 14-week program covers everything from the MERN tech stack (MongoDB, Express.js, React, and Node.js) to developing APIs (Application Programming Interfaces). Applicants should be comfortable coding HTML and CSS before enrolling. 
• Python Developer Certificate - Noble Desktop’s Python Developer Certificate combines its popular 30-hour Python Programming Bootcamp with a 60-hour unit on Python web development with Django REST in this comprehensive program. You'll learn about automation, GitHub, SQL, and URL dispatchers as you gain proficiency in designing complex web apps. As with the JavaScript Development Certificate, applicants should be comfortable coding HTML and CSS before enrolling.
• Python Web Development with Django - The 60-hour Python Web Development with Django provides a highly-reviewed standalone course for students familiar with HTML/CSS. This curriculum introduces object-oriented programming with Python, working with Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), and back end development with the Django REST framework. You can save by taking the course as part of the Python Developer Certificate program.