Every long-term, prosperous career begins with an entry-level tech job. A career in full stack development is no exception. Entry-level full stack developers are in high demand, but many job seekers are oblivious to the vast opportunities that lay before them.
This article will help you kickstart your career by satisfying your curiosity about the highest-paying entry-level full stack developer jobs and how to find them. It also sheds light on the required skills for an entry-level full stack developer and the types of companies that hire these developers.
What Is Full Stack Development and Why Is It Important?
Full stack development refers to building both the front end and backend portions of websites. These experts develop both client and server software. They focus on the databases and servers of websites and applications. Full stack developers are invaluable in making fully functional web applications. They have skills using different technologies and this proficiency makes them a cost-effective hire.
What Is the Job Outlook for Full Stack developers?
Full stack development is a fast-growing industry. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the employment of full stack developers is predicted to grow by 13 percent from 2020 to 2030. It also estimates that there will be 17,900 job openings within that decade and draws this conclusion from the continuous expansion of ecommerce.
This statistic indicates that the demand for full stack developers is not likely to decrease any time soon. Thus, there are tremendous opportunities for professionals in this field who qualify.
Top Reasons to Pursue a Career in Full Stack development
- Excellent Remuneration: Full stack developers are one of the highest-paid tech professionals. This is largely due to their wide range of software development skills.
- Speedy Career Growth: Many professionals start their careers with one specialty and move up the corporate ladder with time. On the other hand, full stack developers leverage their backend and front end development knowledge to accelerate their career growth.
- High Demand: The demand for full stack developers is on the rise. Ecommerce companies require these tech experts to create technical solutions that will cater to their customers’ needs.
- Career Flexibility: Full stack developers are knowledgeable about various processes of software development. This knowledge allows them the flexibility of working in different areas within companies.
- Progressive Education: This career involves using programming languages, databases, and libraries. Full stack developers must keep learning to keep up with the evolving technologies and master the use of these tools.
What Does an Entry-Level Full Stack Developer Do?
Entry-level full stack developers support senior developers ensuring the front end and backend of web applications mesh seamlessly. Their knowledge of software development allows them to turn concepts into digital products using databases, business logic, and hosting environments. They can code programs from scratch and also assess existing code to detect flaws and bugs.
Types of Entry-Level Full Stack Development Roles
Mern Stack Developer
MERN is an acronym for MongoDB, Express, React, and Node. MERN stack developers are well-versed in these four languages. In addition, they use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to handle front end operations while employing tools like the Node.js framework to manage backend operations.
Java Full Stack Developer
Full stack Java developers specialize in using the Java programming language for full stack development. Their expertise lies in tools and frameworks that work with Java. They also utilize HTML, CSS, JS, SQL, and NoSQL databases. In addition, they are experts at working with the Java suite of technologies and frameworks.
Python Full Stack Developer
A full stack Python developer uses the Python programming language to develop the entire technology stack of a web application. Their necessary qualifications include a background in software engineering or related fields and industry experience with each component of the Python technology stack.
Common Responsibilities of Entry-Level Full Stack Developer Jobs
- Designing user interactions on website pages
- Collaborating with graphic designers to create web design features
- Developing both ends of a website application
- Creating functional databases and servers
- Staying up-to-date with developments in programming languages and web applications
How Much Do Entry-Level Full Stack Developer Jobs Pay?
The average annual pay for an entry-level full stack developer as of December 2021 was $58,040, according to ZipRecruiter. However, this value ranges as some earn as high as $75,500 while others receive about $44,500. This variation suggests that there may be vast opportunities for advancement and higher pay considering factors such as skill level, employer, and location.
Entry-Level Full Stack Developer Jobs That Pay the Most: Overview
| Job | Average Salary | Min. Education/ Training | Associated Mid and Senior Roles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior Machine Learning Engineer | $119,889 | Bootcamp certifications | Intermediate Machine Learning Engineer, Senior Machine Learning Engineer |
| Junior Mobile Developer | $86,453 | Bootcamp certifications | Intermediate Mobile Developer, Senior Mobile Developer |
| Junior Game Developer | $79,611 | Bootcamp certifications | Intermediate Game Developer, Senior Game Developer |
| Junior DevOps Engineer | $77,407 | Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering | Intermediate DevOps Engineer, Senior DevOps Engineer |
| Junior Data Engineer | $75,858 | Bootcamp certifications | Intermediate Data Engineer, Senior Data Engineer |
| Junior Backend Developer | $68,388 | Bootcamp certifications | Intermediate Backend Developer, Senior Backend Developer |
| Junior Software Engineer | $67,616 | Bootcamp certifications | Intermediate Software Engineer, Senior Software Engineer |
| Junior Front End Developer | $61,747 | Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or a related field | Intermediate Front End Developer, Senior Front End Developer |
| Entry-level Full Stack Developer | $58,040 | Bootcamp certifications | Intermediate Full Stack developer, Senior Full Stack Developer |
| Junior Web Developer | $50,392 | Bachelor’s Degree in Software Development | Intermediate Web Developer, Senior Web Developer |
Best Entry-Level Full Stack Developer Jobs: A Closer Look
Junior Machine Learning Engineer
Machine learning engineers are professional programmers who research, build, and design self-running software to automate predictive models. They require analytical skills, knowledge of algorithms, data science, and good communication. The future of machine learning is nowhere near gloomy as machine learning applications are used in prominent industries such as healthcare and education.
Junior Machine Learning Engineer Responsibilities
- Designing artificial intelligence (Al) algorithms capable of making predictions that define machine learning
- Assessing, analyzing, and organizing large amounts of data
- Executing tests and optimizing machine learning models and algorithms
Junior Mobile Developer
Mobile developers are full stack software developers specializing in building mobile technology apps for Android and iOS. App developers enjoy flexible work schedules and the ability to telecommute. Considering how relevant mobile development is, CNN Money named this profession as one of the best jobs in America.
Junior Mobile Developer Responsibilities
- Maintaining applications
- Deploying app enhancements
- Supporting continuous improvement throughout the development lifecycle of computer applications
Junior Game Developer
Junior game developers turn concepts into playable games through coding and in-engine asset creation. Professionals in this field have fantastic career opportunities with prospects for advancements. With the growing popularity of augmented reality and virtual reality, game developers have brought dynamism to the entertainment industry and affirmed their relevance.
Junior Game Developer Responsibilities
- Creating interactive narration
- Building prototypes
- Developing game mechanics
Junior DevOps Engineer
DevOps engineering involves processes and methodologies that balance needs throughout the software development lifecycle. Junior DevOps engineers support DevOps teams and have the opportunity to gain exposure to a range of modern tech. The demand for DevOps is increasing within the market as it provides solutions to numerous IT problems.
Junior DevOps Engineer Responsibilities
- Assisting in scripting software for deployment throughout a company’s data and communication platform
- Improving software deployment within the entire organization
- Maintaining infrastructure to allow for the speedy development and release of software
Junior Data Engineer
Data engineering is the complex task of processing raw data to obtain insights for decision-making. Statistical analysis and engineering principles are central to this field. They enable data engineers to create raw data analyses providing short and long-term predictive models.
Junior Data Engineer Responsibilities
- Testing and maintaining data pipelines and data architectures
- Working with unorganized data to come up with a normalized data model
- Finding warehousing solutions
Junior Backend Developer
Backend developers use specific technology to develop products for the server-side of any website. Their focus is on building the structure of the software. They collaborate with various teams, including front-end developers, to create functional websites and applications.
Junior Backend Developer Responsibilities
- Optimizing applications for maximum speed
- Writing web services and APIs for front end developers and mobile application developers
- Participating in coding and test reviews
Junior Software Engineer
Software engineering applies complex principles to cater to specific user requirements. It involves the entire process of software development and deployment. In a sense, one can say that software engineers make tools that software developers use. However, they still use programming languages in their work, as well.
Junior Software Engineer Responsibilities
- Troubleshooting software issues
- Working closely with developers to improve product functionality
- Developing innovative solutions
Junior Front End Developer
Front end development involves designing the user interface of websites and applications using technologies that run on the open web platform. It combines web performance optimization, search engine optimization, programming languages, and design skills to improve and leverage customer engagement.
Junior Front End Developer Responsibilities
- Planning road maps for user interface design
- Contributing to the creation of scalable websites
- Evaluate bugs to ensure code integrity
Entry-Level Full Stack Developer
Generally, full stack developers are computer programmers proficient in both front end and backend coding. They have database management, graphic design, and UI/UX skills. They handle all aspects of website development.
Entry-Level Full Stack Developer Responsibilities
- Developing databases for website functionality
- Designing innovative applications
- Building front end and backend structures
Junior Web Developer
Web developers are integral in most businesses that utilize an online presence. They create websites and web applications. Good programming skills are invaluable in this role and help to define the entirety of their work.
Junior Web Developer Responsibilities
- Collaborating with other developers to create applications
- Patching computer codes
- Helping with design adjustments
What Types of Companies Hire Entry-Level Full Stack Developers?
Full stack developers are problem solvers. Regardless of their level of experience, they bring a unique value to organizations. Both startups and large companies require full stack developers for different reasons. They are rock star employees for businesses because they can handle so many diverse tasks.
Startups such as Bending Spoons, Voyant Tools, and SKIO Music work with small teams to develop projects. Full stack developers are essential for smaller businesses because they can perform the duties of two separate roles: front end and backend developers.
Career Progression: Mid and Senior-Level Full Stack Developer Roles
Mid-Level Full Stack Developer Jobs
Mid-Level Machine Learning Engineer Job
- Average salary: $149,500
- Related entry-level roles: Machine Learning Analyst, Machine Learning Research Engineer
- Responsibilities: Develop and build AI algorithms capable of learning and producing predictions
Mid-Level DevOps Engineer Job
- Average salary: $103,560
- Related entry-level roles: Junior DevOps Engineer, Cloud DevOps Engineer
- Responsibilities: Work with developers and IT professionals to manage code releases, integrating engineering and coding knowledge
Mid-Level Full Stack Developer Job
- Average salary: $86,249
- Related entry-level roles: Lead Full Stack Developer, Junior Full Stack Developer
- Responsibilities: Design website, develop servers, build web apps
Mid-Level Mobile Developer Job
- Average salary: $84,487
- Related entry-level roles: Mobile Product Manager, Mobile Architect
- Responsibilities: Create application programming interfaces (APIs) to enable mobile capabilities, stay abreast of new tech and best practices for developing mobile apps
Mid-Level Game Developer Job
- Average salary: $79,881
- Related entry-level roles: Lead Game Designer, Mobile Game Developer
- Responsibilities: Design and develop video games for various devices, code the underlying engine based on the design team’s suggestions
Senior Full Stack Developer Jobs
Senior Back-End Developer Job
- Average salary: $137,369
- Related entry-level roles: Front End Developer, Full Stack Developer
- Responsibilities: Build, implement, and upgrade the server, develop server-side apps and databases
Senior Data Engineer Job
- Average salary: $134,099
- Related entry-level roles: Principal Data Engineer, Data Warehouse Manager
- Responsibilities: Integrate data systems, create data models, manage data warehouse and analytics environments, design data analysis scripts
Senior Software Engineer Job
- Average salary: $119,651
- Related entry-level roles: Junior Software Engineer
- Responsibilities: Determine and design system specifications, standards, and programming to prepare and install solutions
Senior Front End Developer Job
- Average salary: $118,440
- Related entry-level roles: React JS Developer, UI/UX Designer
- Responsibilities: Incorporate visual and interactive components, enhance user engagement, conduct research on user experience
Senior Web Developer Job
- Average salary: $104,827
- Related entry-level roles: Web Methods Developer, Web Applications Engineer
- Responsibilities: Coordinate web design projects, plan roadmaps, build websites and web applications
How to Get a Job in Full Stack Development
Proficiency in front end and backend web development is the first step to starting a career in full stack development. Employers are considerate of skill level when hiring. This consideration is a hint to hone your skills consistently.
The easiest route to employment is to build a portfolio website. This provides you the opportunity to prove your skills by creating some web applications from start to finish. Attending bootcamps, obtaining certifications, and utilizing online learning resources to become familiar with new programs will distinguish you from other job applicants.
Required Skills for an Entry-Level Full Stack Developer Job
- Organizational and management skills: Full stack developers are tasked with heading different projects. Hence, good organizational skills are a must-have to function effectively.
- Excellent communication skills: Full stack developers are team players. Good communication is one of the basic skills necessary to collaborate effectively with other team members to achieve better results.
- Familiarity with database technology: Full stack developers should be familiar with database technologies such as MySQL, Oracle, and MongoDB.
- Familiarity with JavaScript Framework: Full stack developers need the knowledge of JavaScript libraries such as AngularJS, React, and ExpressJS to build better web applications.
- Problem-solving skills: Attention to detail is essential and experts must demonstrate the ability to identify problems and proffer solutions.
Top Certifications for Entry-Level Full Stack developers
- Google Developers Certification: This certification is ideal for developers who want to pursue employment with Google or demonstrate skills for Google products and services.
- Associate Android Developer: This certification is for developers who have specialized in Android development or simply would want to showcase Kotlin or Java development skills.
- AWS Certified Developer – Associate: This certification demonstrates your understanding of AWS and cloud-based services and development.
- iOS Certified Associate Developer (ICAD): This certification is important for developers who are interested in working with Apple or iOS products.
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate: This certification is ideal for developers who specialize in or want to demonstrate knowledge of cloud-based development and maintenance.
Can You Get an Entry-Level Full Stack Developer Job with a Coding Bootcamp?
A coding bootcamp is a great avenue to acquire the certification and professional knowledge to kickstart your career. It also teaches you hard and soft skills to succeed as an entry-level full stack developer. Bootcamp providers record a high success rate for the employment of their graduates. Employers are open to hiring graduates depending on the performance of the student.
Top Full Stack Developer Bootcamps
Best Resources for Full Stack Development
The Roadmap
The Roadmap is a collaborative effort to provide roadmaps, guidelines, and other educational resources to assist developers in choosing a career path. The Roadmap offers downloadable visual instructions with subjects, technologies, styles, and elements necessary to build web development proficiency.
"Career Karma entered my life when I needed it most and quickly helped me match with a bootcamp. Two months after graduating, I found my dream job that aligned with my values and goals in life!"
Venus, Software Engineer at Rockbot
FreeCodeCamp
FreeCodeCamp is an open-source community dedicated to teaching people how to code. It is an online programming bootcamp that provides free instruction and certification in a range of web development skills. These skills include web design, front end development, data visualization, backend programming, machine learning, and quality assurance.
Codecademy
Codecademy is another online learning platform that teaches a variety of programming languages, including Java, JavaScript, PHP, Python, Kotlin, HTML, CSS, SQL, C++, and Bash. It offers defined educational roadmaps such as career paths that cover computer science fundamentals, data science, and web development.
Is a Career in Full Stack Development for You?
Full stack development is an excellent career choice considering all the career benefits it offers. It gives you the opportunity to handle various situations in the development process. If you would love to get behind the scenes of functional websites and enhance user experiences, a full stack web development career is worth considering.
Entry-Level Full-Stack Development Jobs FAQ
Yes. Full stack developers enjoy high work flexibility. They can work remotely while providing technical solutions to real-life problems. This job can assume the traditional work model or a hybrid work style.
Front end developers handle the client-side section of websites while backend developers handle the server side. Full stack developers are skilled in both of these applications. This career merges the former disciplines into one and offers a variety of benefits.
Due to the technicality of the role, full stack developers are in high demand. Moreover, potential employers typically prefer to work with full stack developers due to their cost-effectiveness.
It is not compulsory. Although a few companies might require a degree, technology companies have often defied the status quo and opted to employ full stack developers based on skill levels alone. Professionals without degrees who have good portfolios and references can usually find work.
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