Main image of article Full Stack Developer Skills: What You Need to Know

Full stack developers have a complicated set of tasks: they must master not only the user-facing aspects of a website or service (the front end) but also server-side operating systems, frameworks, libraries and databases (the back end). For those who master the technical and soft skills associated with full stack development, however, opportunities abound.

According to Stack Overflow’s most recent Developer Survey, some 33.48 percent of developers consider themselves “full stack,” versus 17.88 percent who work on the back end and 6.6 percent who’ve mastered the front end. That hints at enormous demand for those developers who have comprehensive skills. Let’s dig into what exactly you’ll need when it comes to full-stack developer skills, including knowledge of open source, data structures, web architecture, user experience and user interface, and much more.

What full-stack developer skills do I need?

Full-stack developers are prized because they’ve mastered everything needed to successfully work on the front- and back-ends of a web property, meaning employers think they’re getting the equivalent of two or three employees for the price of one. In light of that, it’s helpful to break down core front- and back-end skills.

Job postings for many front-end web developer positions cite the following skills as necessary:

  • JavaScript
  • Front-End Development
  • Software Engineering
  • React JavaScript
  • TypeScript
  • Software Development
  • Web Application Development

In addition, many job postings list the following “soft skills”:

  • Teamwork/collaboration
  • Communication skills
  • Writing
  • Problem solving
  • Creativity
  • Troubleshooting
  • Planning

Meanwhile, job postings for back-end developers often call out the following:

  • Java
  • PHP
  • SQL
  • Git
  • CSS
  • HTML
  • JavaScript
  • Python
  • Cloud platforms (AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure)

Now let’s bring that all together: in essence, a full-stack developer has a solid grasp of database, cloud, and front-end technologies. A job posting for a full-stack developer might cite:

That’s quite a bit to learn! Fortunately, there are lots of training options out there.

How can I train to become a full-stack developer?

A number of schools offer formal training in full stack web development. If you’re more of a self-learner and/or you’re looking to save money, there are lots of free resources online you can use to learn the fundamentals of full stack development. Here are a few to start you off:

  • Learn database technologies: Some of the largest names in tech offer introduction to database courses, including Meta, IBM, and others. Coursera has a breakdown of schools such as the University of Michigan that also offer online courses. 

  • Learn Python, Java, and C#: W3Schools also has extensive coursework in Python, Java, and C#. Given these languages’ popularity, there’s a ton of documentation and tutorials online for each, including Python.org.

  • Learn API development: Meta, Google, and other companies are also your friend when it comes to learning about the APIs for their respective platforms, with lots of coursework available via Coursera.
  • Learn Git: The official Git site is a great place to start if you want to learn everything about Git and version control. From there, fill out your learning with GitHub’s documentation and tutorials.

Much of your learning will also come from actually participating in development projects. That’s arguably the best way to polish up the soft skills such as teamwork and communication you’ll need as your full-stack developer work becomes more intricate and higher-stakes.

How much does a full-stack developer earn?

According to the latest Dice Tech Salary Report, a full stack developer can earn $116,856 per year, which is slightly higher than the technology professional average of $111,348. That number can rise higher with the right mix of skills and experience.

Pursuing full-stack development can also prove more lucrative than specializing in front- and back-end development. According to Glassdoor, full-stack developers make total average compensation of $108,803 per year, while back-end developers average $92,963 per year and front-end developers average $102,308.

How do I prepare for a full-stack developer job interview?

Preparation is key; chances are good that any full-stack developer interview will focus on your mastery of both front- and back-end skills, which means you’ll be facing highly technical questions. To best prepare for the technical side of an interview, consult leetcode, which offers breakdowns of commonly asked interview questions about a variety of programming languages, frameworks, and more.

However, it’s difficult to determine which questions an interviewer will ask—after all, every organization has its own concerns and goals, which influences their tactics when it comes to questions. In addition to mastering full stack developer concepts, an interviewee should be prepared to discuss how they’ve used their skills to help previous employers overcome challenges and complete projects on time and within the original budget scope. Come prepared with stories about your teamwork and problem-solving.

Whatever the questions, make sure to walk the interviewer through your thought process and reasoning. Even if you don’t answer every question correctly, showing how you think about problems can help assure the prospective employer that you have what it takes to win the role.