Back End Developer Job Titles

Back End Developers work on the back end of a website. There are a number of different job titles associated with this profession. Back End Developer jobs are also found in many different industries including business, finance, science, technology, advertising, and healthcare. This article discusses the back end development career path, some of the most common skills needed to work in this field, and some common job titles that Back End Developers might hold. 

What is a Back End Developer?

Every website has both a front end and a back end. The front end is made up of all the elements that website users see and interact with. The back end is those things that users don’t see, but are essential to the function of the site. Back End Developers are responsible for building and maintaining the back end. They work with the server, databases, architecture, and application programming interfaces (APIs). Their job includes coding, designing, testing, debugging, and ensuring that the sites they create are secure.

While the work that a Back End Developer does is not visible, it is a crucial part of the online user experience. Some people call the back end the engine that makes the website run. It processes the requests that are made by users, and generates responses that it sends back to the front end. For instance, when a user adds items to a shopping cart, the back end makes calculations about the cost of the item, tax, and the shipping cost, and then sends that information to the front end where it is viewed by the user. A Back End Developer is responsible for making sure that all of these behind-the-scenes actions happen quickly and seamlessly. 

People have been working in back end web development since the creation of the very first website, which went live in 1993. Their jobs have continued to evolve over time in response to the continual evolution of web technology. For example, as mobile devices have become an increasingly popular way to access websites, the concept of responsive design has become important, where websites need to adapt to a variety of screen sizes and orientations.

Back End Developer Skills

Hard Skills

Fluency in Programming Languages

Any Back End Developer needs to be fluent in back end programming languages. These are used to create the systems that form the back end of a website. Popular back end programming languages include Python, JavaScript, Ruby, and Java. As a Back End Developer, you’ll not only need to learn multiple languages, but you’ll need to stay up to date on new features of those languages, and you may sometimes need to learn new languages. By having proficiency in a number of languages, you’ll be able to choose the best one for each project that you’re working on.

Testing and Debugging

Creating a website is only part of what a Back End Developer does. In this role, you’ll also need to know how to test and debug your work. This involves finding and fixing problems with the security or the functioning of the site. In some cases testing and debugging can be a time-consuming process, however, there are a number of tools that developers can use to help speed things up.

Working with Servers

The back end of a website often runs on servers, so knowing how to work with servers is an essential part of being a Back End Developer. A server is a system or computer that contains the resources, services, and data that are needed for a website. Some popular servers are Apache, Microsoft, and NGINX. As a Back End Developer, you may set up and maintain servers.

Database Management

Another part of back end development is database administration. Websites use data for storing and retrieving information. Some common database systems are MySQL, MongoDB, and PostgreSQL. Back End Developers learn how to use databases to efficiently store and retrieve data. Part of database management is learning how to create the best solution for each website, since database management will vary depending on the type of website being created.

API Knowledge

An Application Programming Interface (API) is an interface that allows two or more computers to communicate with one another. It is an important part of the interaction between users and the back end. As a Back End Developer, you need to know how to create and maintain APIs.

Soft Skills

Problem-Solving

Back end development often involves problem solving. For instance, you may need to figure out the best way to implement a website design idea, or you might need to get to the bottom of why a piece of code doesn’t work. Some of the problem-solving situations you encounter may be complex. You’ll need strong analytical skills to help you identify the problem and come up with potential solutions. Creativity is also an asset here. Many experienced Back End Developers stress that problem-solving is very common in this field, and they also stress that if you don’t like to fix problems, this may not be the right profession for you.

Communication

To work in back end development, you’ll need to have strong communication skills. You’re likely to use these skills often, since creating and maintaining a website is typically a team effort, and you’re likely to be communicating with team members regularly. For instance, you may need to communicate about what the specific vision is for a website and how best to achieve that vision. Communication is often required for problem-solving too. You’ll need both written and verbal communication skills to work in back end development.

Back End Developer Career Path

There are a number of different paths you can take if you want to work in back end development. You’ll need to gain an education that covers all of the different technical skills that this job requires. However, there is more than one way to do this. One option is to earn a college degree in computer science or a related field. A college degree will be comprehensive, and well-respected, however, it is also likely to be expensive and time-consuming. Another training option is to enroll in a bootcamp or certificate course at a career development school. Bootcamps and certificate courses are immersive, accelerated programs that are designed to get you career-ready at a fraction of the cost and time that you’ll need to invest if you go to college. While college has traditionally been the accepted path to a career in tech, research shows that skipping the degree program has recently become a widely accepted alternative. A number of studies show that many bootcamps and certificate courses are an effective way to gain all the skills that you’ll need in back end development, and that an increasing number of employers have begun to focus on demonstrable skills rather than simply looking for proof of a degree.

If you want to work in back end development, in addition to an education, you’ll also need to gain experience. It’s a good idea to start by assessing your existing experience; you might be surprised at how much of it is transferable. By assessing what you already have, you can also make a plan for what you need to obtain in the future. In an article titled, “How to Become a Back-End Developer in 8 Steps (Plus Skills),” Indeed suggests that you start gaining experience even before you get your first job. It explains, “Before gaining employment as a back-end developer, it often helps to gain some experience working on back-end projects. You can do this either on your own, as part-time work for a smaller company, or a volunteer organization. For example, you can create your own projects, such as a daily scheduler. Working on back-end development projects is often the best way to learn more about the process and can provide you with valuable experience before applying for your first full-time position.” Even if you plan to work as a freelancer, you’ll still need experience in order to demonstrate your abilities to potential clients.

Back End Developer

A Back End Developer specializes in working on the back end of a website. They integrate front end components, and create web services that are used by Front End Developers, and they need a wide range of technical skills including fluency in multiple coding languages. They also need critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity skills. Back End Developers work in any industry where there are websites. The average salary for a Back End Developer is between $88,000 and $155,000 yearly.

Full Stack Developer

A Full Stack Developer has all the skills that a Back End Developer does. In addition, they are skilled in front end development, which involves different coding languages and technical skills. Like Back End Developers, they work in any industry that uses websites. A Full Stack Developer earns between $89,000 and $125,000 yearly.

Back End Engineer

The role of a Back End Engineer is very similar to a Back End Developer. They work on the server side of a website, helping to create all of the elements that are not seen by users. Compared to a Back End Developer, a Back End Engineer is more focused on the structure and design--the engineering--of a website.

SQL Developer

An SQL Developer uses Structured Query Language (SQL) to design, build, and maintain applications and databases. They work in industries where SQL is commonly used, including business, finance, and IT. SQL Developers need experience with databases and proficiency with SQL. They need to be good at problem-solving and logical thinking. An SQL Developer has a yearly salary of between $92,000 and $94,000.

Java Developer

Java Developers design and maintain websites and applications, with a focus on using the Java language. They need many similar skills to Back End Developers, including strong coding skills. Back End Developers are typically proficient in Java too, however, this language is not usually their primary focus. The average yearly salary for a Java Developer is between $91,000 and $95,000.

Why Become a Back End Developer?

Salary and employment data show that back end development jobs tend to pay very well, and that strong growth is expected in this field in the future. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is a federal agency that gathers and analyzes information about the U.S. labor market. It projects 8 percent job growth over the next decade for Web Developers and Digital Designers. This is much faster than the average growth rate of only 4 percent. BLS says that about 16,500 job openings are expected each year on average between 2023 and 2033. 

Web development involves creativity and challenge, so if you like the idea of a job where you’ll be constantly challenged to come up with new ideas, then web development may be a good career for you. In a Forbes article titled, “10 Web Development Careers To Consider,” the author explains, “This career also includes the opportunity to create things—in this case, websites and applications, or apps—for people to use on a day-to-day basis.” He says, “If you love working with computers and have the aptitude to learn code, you might find web development to be an intellectually stimulating profession. This job continually challenges you to learn new software and keep up with technological innovations.” 

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

Noble Desktop offers a number of different classes designed for aspiring Back End Developers. Its course options include in-person and live online classes, in addition to a variety of flexible scheduling options such as part-time programs and courses that run on weeknights and weekends. All classes come with a certificate of completion and the option of a free retake within a year. Noble Desktop is based in New York City, and is licensed by the New York State Education Department.

• The Full-Stack Web Development Certificate is a popular Noble Desktop offering. It covers both front end and back end web development. In this class, you’ll learn to code with HTML and CSS, in addition to learning JavaScript. The course also covers Node.js for web apps, MongoDB for working with databases, and Express.js for API development. Learning is project-based, and by the end of the course, you will have developed a portfolio of working web applications. The course comes with ten one-on-one mentoring sessions, which can be used for career support or extra help with challenging concepts. In 2024 it was awarded Best Full-Stack Developer Bootcamp by Forbes Advisor. 

• The Python Developer Certificate covers all the skills that you’ll need to become a Python Developer. In 2024, it was awarded Best Python Bootcamp by Forbes Advisor. You’ll learn the fundamentals of Python, and you’ll also learn web development with Django and Django REST. In addition, you’ll learn about object-oriented programming, how to work with APIs, and how to use Git and SQL. You’ll also work on a portfolio of projects and receive guidance from the lead instructor. This class comes with four one-on-one mentoring sessions. Students should have basic HTML and CSS skills.

• In the JavaScript Development Certificate, you’ll gain a variety of in-demand skills that will prepare you to work in web development with JavaScript. In addition to learning JavaScript, you’ll learn how to create web applications with React and Node.js, how to work with APIs, and how to incorporate third-party frameworks and libraries. You’ll also create a portfolio of projects. In order to take this class, you should have basic HTML and CSS skills. The class includes eight one-on-one mentoring sessions.

• Another Noble option is the Software Engineering Certificate. This is a comprehensive, multi-week course. You’ll learn about front end development, React Development, and Django (Python) Development. This includes learning a variety of front end tools including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. You’ll also learn Flexbox and Grid for layout and adapting to different screen sizes, and Git for version control. As part of the course, you’ll create a working desktop application with React and deploy it using AWS. In addition, the course covers Python, including syntax, dictionaries, sorting algorithms, and custom functions. Finally, you’ll learn to use Django and Django Rest. Twelve one-on-one mentoring sessions are included, and you’ll also create a portfolio.

Noble Desktop also offers a number of shorter classes that only take a day or two to complete, where you can learn a smaller set of skills. For example, if you’re looking to improve your coding skills, Noble offers a short beginner class called Web Development with HTML & CSS, where you can learn to create webpages by coding with HTML and CSS. In this class, you’ll learn to use HTML to create webpages that have text and images. You’ll also learn to use CSS for styling content, creating centered page layouts, adding background images, style navigation, and for making responsive pages that adapt to various screen sizes. If you already know the basics of HTML and CSS, you might be more interested in Noble’s Advanced HTML and CSS class. This class covers a variety of advanced topics including SVG, CSS variables, gradients, shadows, positioning, transitions, transforms, and responsive images.