Back End Developer Related Career Paths

Back End Developers are experts in designing, coding, and testing websites. There are a number of different career paths related to back end development. Many of these require a similar set of skills. This means that the skills you gain in order to become a Back End Developer can be used to pivot into a variety of other careers. Keep reading for more information about some career paths related to back end development. 

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.

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.

Related Careers

Software Developer

Software Developers specialize in designing, creating, debugging, and maintaining software. They work in many different industries and specialize in a variety of types of software. To be a Software Developer, you’ll need strong coding skills, an understanding of source control, and the ability to work with data structures and algorithms. You’ll also need a variety of soft skills including problem-solving skills, creativity, and analytical skills. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) places this job in the category of Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers, and predicts 17 percent job growth over the next ten years, which is much faster than the average U.S. job growth rate of only 4 percent. It reports that the average salary for a Software Developer is $130,000. U.S. News & World Report ranks Software Developer as number 1 in “Best Technology Jobs.”

Front End Developer

Like a Back End Developer, a Front End Developer also develops websites, however, they don’t work on the back end. Instead, they focus on the elements that people see, such as the design and layout of the site. The two roles share some skills. For instance, both jobs require fluency in coding languages, however, the languages used are usually different. Strong communication and problem-solving skills are also important for both Front End and Back End Developers. According to salary data, Front End Developers tend to earn slightly less than Back End Developers. 

Database Architect

A Database Architect designs, builds, and manages large-scale databases. They work with an organization in order to understand its needs, and then design a database that meets those specific needs. According to BLS, jobs for Database Administrators and Architects are expected to grow by 9 percent over the next ten years. It says, “Employment growth will be driven by the continued data needs of companies in nearly all sectors of the economy.” The average salary for this profession is about $117,000, according to BLS.

Computer Programmer

A Computer Programmer writes, tests, and modifies code, ensuring that software programs and applications work properly. Like Back End Developers, Computer Programmers have strong coding skills. According to BLS, there will be about 6,400 job openings in this field each year in the United States over the next decade. The agency notes that employment in this field is declining. It explains, “Computer programming work continues to be automated, helping computer programmers to become more efficient in some of their tasks. To save time and money, many companies are leveraging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), to automate repetitive programming tasks.” According to BLS, the average salary for a Computer Programmer is just over $99,000 yearly. 

Information Security Analyst

An Information Security Analyst works to ensure that computer systems and networks stay secure. This includes monitoring security and creating security solutions. For example, an Information Security Analyst might create software that prevents security breaches, such as data encryption systems and firewalls. They may also create security documentation. BLS predicts that over the next ten years, jobs in this field will grow by 32 percent, which is significantly faster than average. It explains, “High demand is expected for information security analysts. Cyberattacks have grown in frequency, and these analysts will be needed to create innovative solutions to prevent hackers from stealing critical information or creating problems for computer networks.” The average salary for an Information Security Analyst is $120,000 per year, according to BLS.

How to Decide Which Career is Right for You

There are a number of different jobs related to back end development, and it can be a challenge to decide exactly which path to follow. If you’re having trouble figuring out which career is right for you, you can start by doing lots of research on each prospective career so that you can gain a thorough understanding of what each one involves, how it aligns with your skills, and what skills you’ll still need to learn. It’s also important to consider your personal strengths and weaknesses. For instance, do you like problem-solving? How about working with a team? By understanding what you do and do not like to do, you can make a more educated decision about which type of job might be best for you.

While you can learn many of these things by carrying out your own research, it's also a great idea to speak with industry professionals. They can offer inside information that you may not find in an online search. One way to learn from a professional is to sign up for a formal back end development class. Most classes are taught by instructors who have a lot of industry experience, and they’ll be able to share many valuable insights with you.

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.