Technology
A full-stack developer builds both the user-facing interface and the server-side logic and data layers of an application. The role matters because one person can carry a feature from database to screen, which suits small teams and fast-moving products.
Median pay
$134,040a year
Software developers, QA analysts and testers, U.S. BLS, May 2025
The role
Teams hire one when a small group must ship complete features, when building an early product, or when front-end and back-end capacity are both short.
Typical responsibilities
Core skills
Tools and systems
Related titles
Typical background
Typically 3 to 7 years of end-to-end application work, with a computer science degree or equivalent experience.
At a glance
The essentials for planning the hire: level, background, how you can hire and what the role typically pays.
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A full-stack developer builds both the user-facing interface and the server-side logic and data layers of an application. The role matters because one person can carry a feature from database to screen, which suits small teams and fast-moving products. Typical responsibilities include: build user interfaces and the services that support them; design database schemas and write queries for application data; develop and document APIs that connect application components.
Look for javaScript, react, node.js, SQL, REST APIs and version control. Experience with React, Node.js, PostgreSQL, Git and AWS is common in this role.
Yes. A full-stack developer is one of the roles employers most often hire on contract, for projects, busy periods, leave cover and vacancies. Contract-to-hire is also an option if you want to work together before making a permanent offer.
Usually strong in one layer and capable in the other. They trade some depth for range. For complex interfaces or high-scale data systems, specialists may still be the better choice, while full-stack developers fit small teams and early product work.
Match your stack, such as JavaScript with React and Node.js, Python with Django, or Java with Spring. Ask which layer the candidate is strongest in and where you most need depth, since few people are equally expert across the whole application.
Related roles
Every role in the practice is recruited by the same specialist team.
