In a constantly evolving software development industry, front-end, back-end, and full-stack developers play crucial roles in building and maintaining various websites. Their focus, technologies, and responsibilities vary, and back end developer vs front end developer salary hinges on diverse factors.
Are you considering embarking on a new project but find it challenging to understand whether to opt for front-end, back-end, or full-stack development regarding technologies and wages? How much do front end developers make? What is the back end software developer salary?
This article answers these questions, explains the distinctions between these concepts, covers the global difference in front-end and back-end developer salaries, outlines the salary expectations of full-stack developers, and shares some insights on what factors affect the back-end, full-stack, and frontend software engineer salary.
The Difference Between Front-end and Back-end Meanings
The front end and back end are indispensable components of any digital solution. The front end features various visual components that enable interaction between a program and users. The back end, on the other hand, focuses on infrastructure and allows an application to function.
The interaction between front-end and back-end happens circlewise:
- The front end sends the user data to the back end.
- The information is processed.
- It goes back in an understandable form.
Also, there are several significant architectures which define the way your front-end and back-end will interact, including:
- Server-based apps;
- Connection using AJAX;
- Client (single-page) applications;
- Universal/isomorphic apps.
Thus, the front end consists of the user interface and interactivity, while the back end consists of data and business logic.
What Is Front-End Development?
The front end is everything the browser can read, display, or launch. It includes HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It involves developing a user interface and functions on the client side of the website or app and provides everything the user sees when opening the web page.
What Is the Role of Front-End Developers?
Front-end developers collaborate with other programmers, designers, and UX analysts to create a convenient and sought-after product. These specialists design and develop user interfaces, build interactive animations, and optimize solutions for performance.
What Are the Basic Front-End Development Skills?
To create a flawless user experience, front-end specialists should have a blend of technical and soft skills.
- HTML, CSS, and JavaScript proficiency.
- Extensive knowledge of front end frameworks (Angular, Vue.js, React, and jQuery).
- Testing and debugging skills.
- Creativity, problem-solving, and exceptional communication skills.
What Is Back-End Development?
The back end is everything that operates on the server, not in the browser or computer, and responds to other computers’ messages. It is a set of tools that implements the website’s logic. This process is hidden from users’ eyes and happens outside the computer or browser.
What Is the Role of Back-End Developers?
These specialists can use any programming language for the back-end, including Ruby, PHP, Java, JavaScript, or Node to write code that facilitates data transmission between apps and databases. Back-end programmers deal with various back-of-the-screen operations, including APIs, server logic, and integration.
What Are the Basic Back-End Development Skills?
Back-end developers should have the following skills to handle the website’s architecture, code, scripting, database accessibility, and troubleshooting.
- Perfect Java, Python, Go, and PHP knowledge.
- Mastery of Django, Ruby on Rails, Express.js, and Spring frameworks.
- Basic understanding of HTML, JavaScript, CSS, and other front end web development skills.
- Excellent knowledge of APIs and databases.
- Outstanding problem-solving and communication skills.
| Feature | Front-end | Back-end |
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| Salaries | The average frontend developer salary is $112,609 in the USA, $62,191 in Western Europe, $37,200 in Eastern Europe, and ~$10,000 in Asia annually. | The average back end developer salary is $154,898 in the USA, $62,059 in Western Europe, $30,000 in Eastern Europe, and the web developers average salary in Asia is $10,000. |
Full-Stack Developers: The Hybrid Role
A full-stack developer contributes to creating and maintaining a website’s front and back end. The primary role of these engineers is to deliver a well-rounded digital solution with impeccable functionality. Full-stack developers cover everything from database technologies and server management to user interface design. They ensure a visual layer and behind-the-scenes infrastructure function in sync by managing an application’s whole lifecycle, from development to implementation.
The main skills of these experts include the following:
- Extensive knowledge of .NET, C#, Python, PHP, and other back-end programming languages.
- Mastery of front-end technologies like TypeScript, Next.js, HTML, JavaScript, and CSS.
- Perfect database management skills.
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
When should you hire a full-stack developer instead of building a team of front-end and back-end specialists?
- If your project requires a variety of tasks, hiring a professional full-stack engineer can help you save money.
- It is better to hire one full-stack developer for startups or companies with medium-sized projects to ensure fast and smooth delivery.
- For offshore software development with tight deadlines, hire a full-stack software programmer.
- An expert who can handle full stack development is a win-win option for prototypes or projects that need to test an idea.
Let’s analyze the pros and cons of hiring these specialists for your project.
Pros
- Cost-efficiency
Hiring one specialist instead of several experts is cost-effective. - Versatility
Software engineers have broad skill sets and can handle various tasks. - Fast development cycle
Full-stack engineers understand the whole development process, contributing to accelerated project timelines. - Effective troubleshooting
Due to their extensive knowledge of these two domains, these specialists identify and fix errors quickly, ensuring the development process is efficient. Whether you choose in-house or outsourcing, these specialists have fantastic problem-solving skills. - Reduced communication delays
Working with one full-stack developer reduces additional communication and improves productivity. One engineer controls the entire development process, so there is no room for miscommunication, which is common in large teams.
Cons
- Lack of deep expertise
Despite having extensive skill sets, some specialists can be less efficient in specific areas. So, hiring specialists for each aspect of web development is better for large-scale projects or solutions requiring specialized skills. - Limited scalability
While these experts are valuable assets for small and medium projects, they are unsuitable for large-scale solutions. They usually have massive workloads and require specialized expertise, leading to increased stress and decreased productivity. One specialist, despite their adaptability, can’t have it all.
Let’s move to the front-end vs back-end average software developer salaries.
Front End Developer VS Back End Developer Salary Comparison
We’ve decided to analyze how much web developers earn and analyze the wages for frontend and backend development in the USA, Australia, Western Europe, and leading outsourcing regions. Use this information to hire remote software engineers who are perfect for your project and allocate your resources wisely.
Front-End Developer Salary in the US by Experience Level (Annual)
It’s necessary to find out the average front-end developer salary in the US and compare it with the back-end developers’:
- How much does a front end developer make? According to Indeed, a skilled front end developer makes around $112,609 yearly, while a back-end specialist ─ $154,898.
- The average front-end engineer salary in the US, according to PayScale, is $84,840 per annum. How much do back end developers make? A back-end programmer receives around $100,534.
- ZipRecruiter mentions that a mid-level front-end developer in the US makes $138,932, while the average back-end developer salary is $147,662. Below, we will show the average software engineer salary in US.
| Location | Junior | Middle | Senior/Lead |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $107,812 | $137,232 | $160,207 |
| Seattle | $63,093 | $147,950 | $193,367 |
| New York | $84,960 | $132,942 | $173,029 |
| Boston | $88,709 | $118,704 | $159,071 |
| Washington, D.C. | $61,893 | $112,246 | $127,957 |
| Chicago | $91,730 | $104,273 | $143,991 |
| Nashville | $60,245 | $105,577 | $80,394 |
| Denver | $81,700 | $104,521 | $136,922 |
| Los Angeles | $69,932 | $144,215 | $155,680 |
| Austin | $88,172 | $113,308 | $131,865 |
* Salary data is based on indeed.com and ziprecruiter.com
- In San Francisco, front-end developer salary ranges from $107,812 for an entry-level specialist to $160,207 for lead front-end engineers.
- Seattle offers the average front-end developer salary of $147,950 per annum.
- In New York, a mid-level front-end developer receives $132,942 on average.
- The average front end web developer salary in Boston is $118,704.
- In Washington, mid-level front end developers are offered $112,246 per year.
- Chicago pays a junior front end developer salary of $91,730, while senior developers make around $143,991.
- In Nashville, a front end developer’s average salary is $105,577.
- Denver offers a junior front end web developer salary of $81,700, while lead specialists make $136,922.
- In Los Angeles, the average front end developer salary is $144,215.
- Austin pays the average front end developer salary of $113,308 annually.
According to our IT salary guide, San Francisco, Seattle, Los Angeles, and New York are the highest-paying cities in the selection. For middle front-end developers, salaries range from $132,942 to $147,950.
Back-End Developer Salary in the US by Experience Level (Annual)
| Location | Junior | Middle | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $141,482 | $166,098 | $179,637 |
| New York | $84,960 | $132,942 | $173,029 |
| Seattle | $136,738 | $174,876 | $213,732 |
| Boston | $96,364 | $159,938 | $141,126 |
| Washington, D.C. | $135,499 | $149,645 | $158,381 |
| Los Angeles | $95,872 | $160,560 | $179,114 |
| Chicago | $109,629 | $141,040 | $157,781 |
| Denver | $115,033 | $128,190 | $141,617 |
| Nashville | $111,889 | $126,653 | $141,687 |
| Austin | $88,172 | $137,531 | $141,271 |
* Salary data is based on indeed.com, ziprecruiter.com, and salary.com
- Seattle offers the highest average front end developer salaries, $174,876 annually.
- San Francisco pays a back end web developer salary of $166,098.
- In New York, the backend web developer salary ranges from $97,342 to $156,558.
- In Boston, a mid-level backend developer salary is $159,938.
- In Washington, the backend web developer salary ranges from $135,499 for a junior specialist to $158,381 for a senior programmer.
- On average, Los Angeles pays $160,560 to mid-level backend developers.
- Chicago offers a backend software engineer salary of $141,040 annually.
- In Denver, a mid-level back-end developer salary is $128,190.
- In Nashville, the average Backend web developer salary is $126,653.
- Austin pays $88,172 to entry level backend developers, $137,531 ─ to mid-level specialists, and $141,271 to senior programmers.
Thus, regarding the front end software engineer salary, Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles are the leaders in our selection. These cities also offer the highest salaries to back-end developers.
Front End Developer VS Back End Developer Salary in Europe (Annual)
A handful of prosperous and growing IT hubs are located in Europe. The highest back end developer vs front end developer salary is in Switzerland — $110,000, while the lowest is in Croatia ($19,668 for both roles).
Western Europe
| Front-end | Back-end | |
|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | $110,000 | $110,000 |
| United Kingdom | $62,191 | $62,059 |
| Germany | $51,971 | $53,053 |
| Netherlands | $47,041 | $44,692 |
* Salary data is based on talent.com and payscale.com
- In Switzerland, junior front-end developers make $93,502, mid-level ─ $110,000, and the most experienced specialists ─ $137,233. Backend web developer salaries in the country start at $96,258, rising to $110,000 for developers of middle-level experience, and are around $128,164 for senior-level engineers.
- The UK pays junior front-end developers around $49,642, the average front-end engineer salary is approximately $62,191 annually, and senior specialists make $93,081. The average back-end salary is $62,059 per year.
- In Germany, a junior-level specialist’s average Front end developer salary is around $44,863, while mid-level developers make $51,971, and seniors – $76,753. An entry-level back-end developer salary in Germany is $48,680; mid-level specialists are paid $53,053, and senior-level developers make around $72,119.
- In the Netherlands, junior front-end specialists are paid around $32,142, while the average frontend engineer salary is $47,041, and the most experienced specialists make $75,714. As for an entry-level back end engineer salary, it is around $41,205, middle-level specialists make $44,692, and senior-level ─ $81,900.
Eastern Europe
| Front-end | Back-end | |
|---|---|---|
| Poland | $40,800 | $42,000 |
| Czech Republic | $31,200 | $35,472 |
| Ukraine | $37,200 | $30,000 |
* Salary data is based on glassdoor.com and payscale.com
- Poland offers the highest front end software developer salary in Eastern Europe, which is $40,800 on average. As for the mid-level specialists’ back-end salaries, these are around $42,000.
- The Czech Republic pays $31,200 to mid-level front-end developers, and the average back end software engineer salary is $35,472.
- In Ukraine, the average front-end developer salary is $37,200, while Back-end developers make $30,000 annually.
Northern Europe
| Front-end | Back-end | |
|---|---|---|
| Denmark | $67,068 | $74,520 |
| Finland | $42,817 | $44,484 |
| Norway | $55,820 | $61,538 |
| Sweden | $43,200 | $55,200 |
| Estonia | $32,112 | $49,404 |
* Salary data is based on glassdoor.com and payscale.com
- The average front end web developer salary in Denmark is $67,068. A junior-level specialist earns around $63,732 annually, while a senior developer earns approximately $91,056. The average backend developer salary in Denmark is $74,520.
- Finland’s average front-end developer salary is $42,817, and the backend is $44,484.
- On average, Norway pays $55,820 to mid-level front-end developers, while back-end specialists receive $61,538.
- In Sweden, the average salary of a front-end developer is $43,200, which can rise to $64,776 for senior developers. Regarding the backend, the average specialist earns $55,200, and a senior-level developer gets approximately $72,744.
- Estonia pays $32,112 to mid-level front-end specialists; the average backend web developer salary is $49,404.
Southern Europe
| Front-end | Back-end | |
|---|---|---|
| Italy | $28,834 | $33,979 |
| Romania | $37,200 | $40,800 |
| Bulgaria | $34,800 | $37,200 |
| Croatia | $19,668 | $19,668 |
* Salary data is based on glassdoor.com
- In Italy, a mid-level front end developer salary is $28,834, and back-end developers earn $33,979.
- In Romania, an average front-end engineer earns $37,200 annually, and a mid-level back-end developer receives $40,800.
- Bulgaria pays the average frontend developer salary of $34,800, and Backend ─ $37,200 per year.
- Croatia offers a mid-level front end web developer salary of $19,668, and backend specialists earn the same amount.
Front End Developer VS Back End Developer Salary in Asia (Annual)
| Front-end | Back-end | |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore | $45,180 | $52,548 |
| Philippines | $9,288 | $10,524 |
| India | $7,549 | $9,926 |
| Indonesia | $6,744 | $6,768 |
* Salary data is based on indeed.com, glassdoor.com, and talent.com
- Singapore is the highest-paying country in our selection of the Asia region countries. The average front stack developer salary there is $45,180, while the back end developer average salary is around $52,548.
- In the Philippines, an average front-end specialist makes $9,288 annually, and a back-end developer makes $10,524.
- India pays $7,549 to front-end and $9,926 to back-end mid-level developers.
- In Indonesia, a front end developer makes $6,744, while the backend developer average salary is $6,768.
Thus, when comparing the front end vs back end salary, the latter specialists usually earn higher wages than those engaged in client-side parts of the projects.
Nevertheless, the salary significantly depends on several factors, including location, company, experience, selected programming language or framework, and product complexity.
For example, front-end JavaScript development is usually more expensive than a project based on HTML5. Therefore, when comparing front-end and back-end developer salaries, one should consider the mentioned factors and estimate budgets based on those aspects.
Full-Stack Developers Salary
The average full-stack developer salary is $123,262 in the USA, $124,500 in Australia, ~$62,084 in Western Europe (Germany), ~$32,064 in Eastern Europe (Poland), and ~$6,992 in Asia (India). Location is one of the main factors influencing the salary of these experts, but it’s not the only one.
- Skill sets determine an expert’s salary. For instance, React and Next.js are the most sought-after front-end technologies, and Python and Java are the top choices for back-end programming. Therefore, programmers who are well-versed in these technologies will receive a premium. In addition, coders who know the latest technologies, such as AI, machine learning skills, cloud computing, and blockchain, can earn more than the industry average.
- Previous experience working for international companies will be an advantage since it guarantees that a specialist aligns well with Western business practices, excels in time management and remote work, and has vast experience across various domains.
- Company size and reputation also influence salary ranges. The bigger the company, the higher the salary. For instance, a full-stack developer at Meta earns $186,000 annually, whereas mobile and web developers with the same expertise will earn $103,000 annually at a startup.
It is better to hire full-stack developers for small and medium-sized projects, MVPs, and updating and maintaining existing solutions. This allows businesses to access specialized expertise at a competitive cost and streamline project development. However, if your project is complex and you prioritize future scaling, hire specialists for two separate roles.
| Role/Region | USA | Australia | Western Europe | Northern Europe | Southern Europe | Eastern Europe | Asia |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front-end developer | $112,609 | $112,190 | $51,971 | $55,820 | $37,200 | $40,800 | $7,549 |
| Back-end developer | $154,898 | $117,605 | $53,053 | $61,538 | $40,800 | $42,000 | $9,926 |
| Full-stack developer | $123,262 | $124,500 | $62,084 | $86,669 | $33,600 | $36,000 | $6,992 |
Do full stack developers get paid more? In some regions, yes. The tech stack significantly influences the salary range. For instance, developers with rare and in-demand technology expertise will get higher wages. Check out our Java developer salary and average .NET developer salary guides to learn more about these specific salaries.
Key Factors that Influence Developer Salaries
Do front end or back end developers make more? Usually, back-end engineers earn more due to the complexity of back-end infrastructure. However, the salary depends on various factors, which we will outline below.
General Factors
Experience
- Junior developers have lower salaries but unique opportunities to learn and sharpen their skills.
- Mid-level developers have higher pay due to proven skills and valuable contributions they can make to any project.
- Senior experts are the highest earners because they have unique technical knowledge and outstanding leadership skills.
Specialization
Due to the complex server-side logic they must deal with, back-end developers receive prime pay compared to front-end specialists. Full-stack developers with diverse skill sets also receive competitive pay.
Location
Well-developed countries with an IT talent shortage across various domains, a high cost of living, and strong economies offer high compensation. Nations with emerging markets and low cost of living offer more affordable rates.
Industry
Industries like fintech, gaming, and healthcare usually offer higher compensation to web developers due to profitability, high demand for specialized expertise, robust security protocols, rigid compliance requirements, and the technical complexity of solutions developed. Does front end or back end pay more in these industries? Qubit Labs’ experience shows that back-end roles command higher salaries due to the complexity of their work. However, some front-end developers who focus on AR/VR, animation, and custom game interfaces may have a higher pay in gaming.
Education and Certifications
Formal education in computer technology and specialized certifications (e.g., Salesforce, AWS, and others) significantly increase the chances of earning a higher salary.
How Much Does a Front End Web Developer Make? Main Influencing Factors
Commercial Experience in Web App Development
Working with customers in various sectors, whether as a freelancer or at a startup, gives you an advantage when negotiating a front-end development wage.
JS Frameworks and Libraries Proficiency
Front-end developers who are exceptionally proficient with JS frameworks and libraries have high salaries. Practical knowledge of jQuery, React, AngularJS, and Reactive Native, as well as mastery of other JS technologies like Bootstrap, Gatsby, and Mocha, are the factors that raise front-end developer pay.
Knowledge of Back-end Technologies
Front-end developers with basic knowledge of the back end can qualify for a higher salary. Many businesses are ready to pay more for an added layer of experience that ensures seamless collaboration between front-end and back-end development teams.
How Much Does a Back End Developer Make? Factors Affecting Salaries
MERN Stack
Seasoned back-end developers who want to gain an edge in the software development market and stay relevant and versatile in web development should know the MERN (MongoDB, Express.js, React, Node.js) stack. This stack allows them to develop scalable solutions efficiently and quickly and seamlessly integrate the server side of a solution with front-end technologies.
AI
Artificial Intelligence boosts operational efficiency and enhances development by automating code reviews and testing. Therefore, knowledge of practical AI tools helps back-end developers gain a competitive advantage.
Database Management
Databases are the core of back-end development. Therefore, professionals skilled in SQL and NoSQL will ensure exceptional data security, performance, and scalability of a digital solution. Hence, developers with these back-end developer skills will likely be compensated more for their unique knowledge and experience.
Do Front End or Back End Developers Make More Money?
The average junior front-end developer salary in the USA ranges between $60,245 and $91,730 annually. However, this number differs significantly by location. For example, the wage in San Francisco can reach up to $107,812 per year. The mid-level front-end developer salary increases, with mid-level engineers earning between $104,273 and $147,950. According to Indeed, the average senior or lead front end web developer salary tops the list at $193,367.
The average back end developer salary for juniors ranges between $88,172 and $141,482. Middle back end programmers will get $174,876, while the average senior back end developer salary is $141,126-$179,637.
The frontend vs backend salary also varies significantly by country. How much do front end web developers make in Europe? In Western Europe, the salary ranges between $47,041 and $110,000. In Eastern Europe, the front end vs back end salary range is $31,200-$40,800. Various countries in Northern Europe have a salary range of $32,112-$67,068.
What is a front end developer salary in Southern Europe? Local specialists earn $19,668-$37,200 annually. In Australia, the front-end developer rates depend on experience, ranging from $64,459 to $180,467. In Asia, these specialists earn ~$6,744-$9,288; only in Singapore, mid-level specialists receive $45,180.
How much do backend developers make in Europe? This region’s range is $19,668-$110,000, depending on country and experience level. The back end vs front end developer salary in Australia is $70,000-$149,564. As for the backend vs frontend salary in Asia, it is estimated at $6,768-$10,524. In Singapore, the back end developer salary is $52,548.
Does backend or frontend pay more? As we can see, back-end developers have higher wages than their front-end colleagues. Having these experts on board is crucial for the project’s success, but you should choose professionals wisely. Our experience shows that in some cases, it is more efficient to hire an experienced full stack developer to work on smaller projects with tight deadlines or limited budgets.
Do you want to hire remote software developers, assemble a dedicated development team, or set up a software development center? Book a free consultation call, and we will thoroughly analyze all available options and identify the most suitable choice tailored to your business needs.
FAQ
Who Gets Paid More Front End or Backend?
Salary.com says the median salary for a back-end developer is $134,452, while the pay typically ranges from $118,778 to $150,411. How much do front end engineers make? The base frontend web developer salary is $119,224, and the range is $106,992 to $130,083. Thus, back-end developers earn more.
Why Are Back-End Developer Salaries Higher in Some Regions?
The demand for these specialists in a particular region, the local cost of living, the size of companies, and the industries in which back-end engineers power digital infrastructure may drive the front end developer vs back end developer salary higher.
How Do Emerging Technologies Impact Developer Salaries?
Emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning increase the demand for developers, resulting in higher salaries. Research shows that jobs that require AI expertise come with a 25% pay premium.
What’s the Future Demand for Front-End vs. Back-End Roles?
Both roles will be in high demand as in 2025, responsive web design, all the interactive features, AR/VR experiences, complex cloud solutions, and data-driven applications will be in high demand. Therefore, the front end vs back end developer salary will rise in alignment with the growing need for skilled developers.
Should I Hire a Full-Stack Developer or a Team of Front-End and Back-End Specialists?
Hire one full-stack developer if you have a small project, a limited budget, or tight deadlines. However, it’s better to hire a software development team of front-end and back-end experts for complex solutions with great flexibility.
