Full Stack Developer: Job Description, Key Skills, and Salary in 2022

Full-stack developers bring proven expertise in building backend and frontend systems of applications, making them valuable assets for organizations. This article describes what a full-stack developer does, the roles and responsibilities of a full-stack developer, the skills required, the salary in 2022, and other related topics.

What Do Full Stack Developers Do? Roles and Responsibilities 

When you hear of a full-stack developer, coding comes to mind first. This in itself is not wrong and actually surmises what a full-stack developer does, but it goes much deeper than that. 

In creating a website or application, two areas must be efficiently integrated for a seamless experience, both for the user, the developer, and the company itself. These are the front end and the back end. Consider the front end to be the finishing of a house, which can be seen externally. On the other hand, the back end describes the foundation, the underlying mechanism supporting, collecting, storing, and exchanging information with the front end. 

Different classes of developers and software engineers are responsible for building different parts of a fully functional application or website. A full-stack developer, however, is well-grounded and can direct the building of any part of an application. A full-stack developer can take charge of the project from start to finish and create an admirable product. 

Full-stack developers are akin to the proverbial jack of all trades. Nonetheless, he is expected to be proficient in the required skills, even if there is greater specialization in one or two areas. Full-stack developers combine the skills of a web designer (responsible for the front end) and a web developer (responsible for the back end). 

The full-stack developer has often worked as a software engineer, web developer, and other differing soles in software development. As such, there should be enough experience and skills gathered over time to qualify any individual as a full-stack developer. 

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Roles and responsibilities of a full-stack developer 

There are several roles and duties assigned to a full-stack developer, whether they are working full-time at a private firm, remotely, part-time, on a contract basis, or even on a personal project. A full-stack developer will be found carrying out these roles:

1. Developing the front-end architecture

Front-end architecture describes a collection of tools and processes, which all work together to improve the overall quality of the front-end code and make an efficient workflow. Front-end architecture involves planning and vision setting. The vision mapped out by the full-stack developer is used by the rest of the development or coding team. 

2. Writing code for both front-end and back-end 

Codes are the building blocks with which an application or a website is built. These codes are written in languages understood by a machine. The full-stack developer is responsible, directly or indirectly, for writing such codes, covering both the front and back end. As such, they must be familiar with software and programming languages used in coding. These include HTML, CSS, XML, JavaScript, etc., for the front end and PHP, ASP, PYTHON, C#, SQL, etc., for back-end development. 

3. Creating and setting up servers with appropriate database systems for back-end

A server is an electronic device or a program that provides services to another computer program, application, or website. The device can be a physical or virtual server based on the cloud. For every front-end view of a website or application, there are servers with database management systems (DBMS) connected to them. 

Together, they send information to the front end and store every information in the form of clicks, sales, names, emails, etc., that are coming in from the end user. This chunk of data is stored and accumulated in a database. Therefore, the full-stack developer must be able to create and set up servers and database systems. 

4. Overseeing the project from start to finish 

A full-stack developer is responsible for overseeing the concept of a project till the last code is test run and launched. In larger corporations, the full-stack developer may not be burdened with the actual task of coding. Notwithstanding, they must organize, monitor, and ensure that the application’s original plan is followed. This is so the end users can utilize the program and meet all the goals for which that project was initially launched. 

5. Working with graphic designers to create new features for the front end 

When you open an app or surf through a website, one of the most striking features you take note of, consciously or subconsciously, is often the design behind it all. Ensuring a project design is stunning and eye-catching is among the responsibilities of a full-stack developer. While they may not work on the design personally, their work revolves around managing the designers to produce vision-aligned graphics that blend well with the overall aim. 

6. Ensuring that applications have optimum cross-functionality for multiple devices 

A full-stack developer also must ensure that the application software or website pages are suited to different operations systems of mobile devices and computers. This is done to avoid negative customer experience and encourage widespread use. Therefore, Mac OS, iOS, Android, Windows, etc., should all be key considerations. 

Other roles and responsibilities of a full-stack developer include:

1. Designing and setting up user interaction and user experience. 
2. Checking and maintaining the responsiveness of an application. 
3. Making sure that current standards are met by the website or app. 
4. Considering application security, maintenance, scalability, and more when developing.

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Full Stack Developer Key Skill Requirements in 2022 

The roles of a full-stack developer, as just seen, can be numerous and widespread. This is why a full-stack developer is highly sought after and well-paid. Choosing to become a full-stack developer is a very promising career choice. As expected, there are a lot of skills to master before you can become one. Some certifications are not absolutely necessary, but they increase your chances of scoring good jobs and proving your ability as a full-stack developer. 

Some necessary skills of a full-time developer include:

1. Knowledge of HTML/CSS

A full-stack developer must be skilled in HTML and CSS. HTML or Hypertext Markup Language is a programming language used to add content to a web page. It uses tags, elements, and heading to structure the content of a web page which the user would visualize. As such, it is essential in the front-end development framework and a vital skill for a full-stack developer. 

On the other hand, CSS or Cascading Style Sheets is used to style and alter the layout of a web page. It controls things like color, size, spacing, animations, etc. It adds a personalized touch to a website page. Together with HTML, they help in attracting users and clients. Full-stack developers must acquire both skills: HTML to define the structure of web pages and then CSS to adequately represent those HTML structures.

2. Experience with Git and GitHub 

Git is a DevOps tool used as a version control system and source code management. It primarily tracks changes made to a source code, letting the developer have some level of control over it. Git is an open-source application used to manage small and huge projects worked on by multiple developers. 

Git is a foundational or primary skill that every developer and, certainly, every full-stack developer should have. With Git, every professional developer in the team has a profile that saves a copy of their original code before it is uploaded to their server. It also allows for better communication and monitors application, website, or code block changes. Full-stack developers must be aware of the primary Git commands and be able to explore the program. 

3. The ability to use JavaScript

JavaScript is uncompromisingly a mandatory skill for any full-stack developer. It is an object-oriented programming language used for adding behaviors using HTML. JavaScript is among the most popular programming languages used to write code for both the front and back end. It can run natively in both the browser and the server. 

Full-stack developers must possess indent knowledge of the practical use of JavaScript, its concepts, and several features. Having this knowledge is not enough. full-stack developers should frequently upgrade their knowledge of JavaScript as it is constantly being upgraded. JavaScript-associated languages like JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) are also necessary skills for full-stack developers. 

4. Knowing how to connect database storage

Database storage systems are used to manage and store large amounts of data. Database systems are necessary for every web or mobile application to store long-term and short-term data. A full-stack developer must be knowledgeable about database systems and how to design, manage, manipulate and query database systems. 

When we talk about databases, there are two types, relational and nonrelational. Relational databases are more commonly used for regular applications, and structured query language (SQL) is necessary to manage the database. Nonrelational databases, on the other hand, are a recent introduction that became popular with the increase in big data storage. The full-stack developer must also know NoSQL to have the basic functionality of the nonrelational database. 

5. Basic design skills 

full-stack developers are as concerned with the front end as the back end. When we talk about the front end, it covers the UI and UX, appeal, and overall and specific design of the website or application. Therefore, a full-stack developer must be well-versed in the basics of design. While they may collaborate with other designers, they should understand the process and be able to judge and make input and corrections when necessary.

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6. Understanding of web architecture 

full-stack developers must know the intricacies of web architecture. This is because they are responsible for the mapping out or planning of a complex software application from scratch. Thus, web architecture knowledge is primary to a full-stack developer’s skill portfolio. 

7. Strong soft skills

Soft skills are just as important to a full-stack developer as the already mentioned hard skills. They are necessary for proper interaction with colleagues, clients, and subordinates. Some of these include: 

• Creativity: A full-stack developer should understand the project’s goal and come up with a creative, attractive plan that captures the target audience. 
• Problem-solving skills: From testing already written codes and finding bugs to business management and getting the perfect solutions for different situations, problem-solving skills are highly valuable in a full-stack developer. 
• Analytical skills: Similar to problem-solving skills, analytical skills help the developer process information and draw valuable conclusions. 
• Time management skills: In web development, deadlines for launching and execution are often set. Therefore, the full-stack developer should be able to meet those deadlines. 

Certification courses and exams are set by recognized bodies that train and test a full-stack developer’s skills. Some employers may request certifications. You should consider the following options:

• Full Stack Developer Certification by GIS Geography 
• Full Stack Web Developer courses by edX
• IBM full-stack software developer professional certificate, etc.

Full Stack Developer Salary in 2022

A full-stack developer is currently among the highest-paid software-related professionals and developers. In the United States, a full-stack developer with less than one year of working experience can expect a job paying up to $108,000 per Payscale (last updated October 20, 2022). The annual salary, however, differs based on multiple conditions, such as position, years of experience, and the city where the developer is employed. 

Apart from the base salary, a full-stack developer can still expect cash bonuses of up to $5,500. For an experience of 3-5 years, one can expect a salary of up to $122,000. In large cities like San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles, where the cost of living is much higher, a full-stack developer’s salary can be up to $122,900, $116,600, and $110,400, respectively. 

Professional experience is also a major determining factor in estimating the salary that a full-stack developer can expect. Senior full-stack developers can expect up to $135 000. Getting to Vice principal of full-stack engineering can bring in over $180,000 per annum. 

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Full Stack Developer Jobs in 2022 

Full-stack engineers are in high demand and currently makeup 37.6% of the number of developer skills sought after by employers. They are needed in virtually every sector, as mobile software developers, web engineers, website developers, etc. The career path for full-stack developers involves: 

1. Becoming a full-stack developer: This is done by acquiring the necessary skills. This can be done as a college degree in computer science, computer engineering, software engineering, certificate courses, etc. Boot camps are also promising avenues for learning the necessary skills.
2. Practicing: You must practice to become better at full-stack development. This involves volunteer jobs, taking on small gigs, internships, and other opportunities that will help you build a substantial portfolio. 
3. Finding a full-stack development job: Certainly the most important or most anticipated part, a full-stack developer can find both virtual and physical jobs from multiple places. Different sites post thousands of full-stack development jobs ranging from entry-level to higher positions. 
4. Progressing to a senior position: As an excellent full-stack developer, you should enjoy promotions and advance to higher positions with time. Some positions you can enjoy include: 

• Senior full-stack engineer: The role of a senior full-stack engineer usually comes after about three to five years of working as a junior full-stack developer. As a senior developer, you will be expected to manage and build the company’s online infrastructure. A thorough understanding of database management is necessary. A senior developer should have good leadership skills as they would be necessary for leading the team. 
• Director roles: This is a possible advancement for a full-stack developer. There will be less coding and more managerial duties. 
• Chief Technical Officer: This executive role is not limited to full-stack developers but provides a viable career path.

Examples of full-stack engineering jobs in 2022 include:

• Remote full-stack developer 
• Senior .NET full-stack developer
• Python full-stack developer
• Java full-stack development application developer
• Application developer: cloud full-stack

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Takeaway 

A full-stack developer can be an invaluable asset for an organization. This is because they have experience and expertise across end-to-end app architecture, giving them a complete handle on what it does, how it works, and how the user experiences it. As a result, full-stack developers often find it easy to progress to managerial roles, using their understanding of the technology stack to coordinate end-to-end projects. That is why it remains a promising career pathway for technical professionals, even in a fast-paced landscape. 

Did this article inform you about your journey toward becoming a full-stack developer? Tell us on FacebookOpens a new window , TwitterOpens a new window , and LinkedInOpens a new window . We’d love to hear from you! 

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