Full-Stack Development Salaries in 2025: A Comprehensive Guide

Last Updated 12/04/2024

In the technology industry, software development stands as one of the most sought-after, lucrative, and flexible professions. Building a robust skill set is essential for those seeking a career in software development. Whether you choose the path of self-learning, traditional university education, or immersive coding bootcamps like Fullstack Academy, your coding proficiency will significantly impact your career trajectory. How much you can make as a professional software developer in 2025 hinges significantly on this factor, along with where you reside.

This article covers:

• The Average Full-Stack Web Developer Salary

• The Average Front-End Developer Salary

• The Average Back-End Developer Salary

• Average Salaries for Different Programming Languages

• Negotiation Tips

What Skills Does a Full-Stack Developer Need?

Full-stack developers are proficient with languages like JavaScript, C++, Ruby, HTML, and CSS. Beyond these skills and knowledge, full-stack developers must understand basic design principles to help create user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing interfaces. They should also have a thorough grasp of the following:

• Databases

• Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)

• Back-End Frameworks

• Server Administration

• Version Control Systems

• Deployment Tools

• Testing and Debugging

• Communication and Teamwork

With technology ever-evolving, full-stack software developers should be constant learners who remain up-to-date on the latest technologies, trends, and tools.

Full-Stack Developer Salaries by Job Title

Average Full-Stack Web Developer Salary

If you can master the skills to do what typically requires two employees, you can garner a higher salary than either a strictly front-end or back-end developer. According to Glassdoor, the average full-stack developer salary in the United States in 2024 was $127,566. The average salary for a full-stack developer in the United States is expected to remain high in 2025.

How to Become a Full-Stack Developer

The immersive online coding bootcamps at Fullstack Academy offer an in-depth curriculum that covers computer science fundamentals as well as front-end and back-end software development. The bootcamps are live online and taught by industry-experienced professionals using a curriculum that incorporates hands-on training, active learning, and career development. Graduates leave with a portfolio to show employers and job-ready skills that qualify them for roles like full-stack developer, software engineer, and more. Part-time and full-time class schedule options are available to help you fit gaining new skills into your life, whether you're looking to change careers or advance your current one.

Average Front-End Developer Salary

In front-end development, you create the visual and interactive elements of a website or mobile application. Front-end developers can specialize in a variety of programming languages, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

Front-end developers typically have a strong understanding of design principles and are able to create websites that are both aesthetically pleasing and easy to use. They also need to be able to code in a wide range of languages and frameworks.

The average salary for a front-end developer in the United States is $110,412 per year, according to ZipRecruiter.

Average Back-End Developer Salary

Back-end developers create the core computational logic of a website, software, or information system. They are responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining the underlying architecture that powers user interactions and data processing. Back-end developers possess a deep understanding of programming languages, frameworks, and databases, enabling them to build robust and scalable applications.

While back-end developers have traditionally commanded higher salaries than front-end developers, due to the technical complexity of their work, the salary gap is gradually narrowing. This convergence stems from the increasing sophistication of front-end development, which now incorporates more complex programming techniques and shares a growing number of technologies with back-end development.

According to Glassdoor, the average back-end developer salary in the United States is $114,432 per year.

Average Salaries for Different Programming Languages

Another factor that influences your developer salary is how in-demand your skills are. Three of the most sought-after programming languages right now are JavaScript, Python, and Ruby. Remember, salaries fluctuate based on location, so keep that in mind when you’re doing your research.

Here are the current average salaries for these roles in New York City:

• JavaScript Developer: $110,759 (Source: Glassdoor)

• Python Developer: $138,777 (Source: Salary.com)

• Ruby Developer: $137,836 (Source: Glassdoor)

When deciding which programming language to learn, you should also consider the volume of job openings per language.

Full-Stack Developer Salaries by Programming Language

The programming languages a full-stack developer knows can significantly impact their earning potential. For instance, ZipRecruiter estimates the following salary ranges for these popular languages in the United States:

• JavaScript Developer: $155,577

• Python Developer: $112,382

• Ruby Developer: $122,113

Top Paying Cities for Full-Stack Developers in the US

Several US cities are known for their thriving tech scenes and competitive salaries for full-stack developers. According to ZipRecruiter, some of the top-paying cities include:

• San Luis Obispo, CA: Average Salary - $158,941

• Dallas-Fort Worth, TX: Average Salary - $124,544

• New York, NY: Average Salary - $122,362

• Fort Collins, CO: Average Salary - $116,521

• Cleveland, OH: Average Salary - $114,324

Full-Stack Developer Salaries by Industry

The specific industry you choose to work in can influence your salary as a full-stack developer. Certain sectors offer lucrative opportunities for those with the right skills:

• Technology: Tech companies, such as software firms and startups, often offer high salaries for skilled developers.

• Finance: Financial institutions, including banks and fintech companies, require full-stack developers to build and maintain their systems. For instance, in the financial services industry, the median total compensation for a full-stack web developer is $128,808, according to Glassdoor.

• Healthcare: The healthcare industry is increasingly relying on technology, creating opportunities for full-stack developers. For example, The average healthcare software developer salary is $123,435 per year in Manhattan, NY, according to ZipRecruiter.

• E-commerce: E-commerce companies need full-stack developers to build and maintain their online stores and platforms.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML): Companies working on AI and ML projects often seek full-stack developers with expertise in these areas.

Tips for Negotiating a Salary

Before entering any salary negotiation, it's crucial to understand your market value. Research average salaries for your position, experience level, and location using resources like Glassdoor and Payscale. This will give you a realistic range to negotiate within.

Next, set a minimum acceptable salary, or your "walk-away number"—the lowest you're willing to accept. This will serve as your anchor during negotiations and prevent you from settling for less than what you deserve.

With your research and walk-away number in hand, you're ready to negotiate confidently. Remember, salary negotiations are a two-way street. The company wants your skills and experience, so don't be afraid to advocate for yourself.

For those looking to gain tech and career success skills, a Fullstack Academy tech bootcamp may be the right choice for you. In addition to industry-specific learning, Fullstack Academy offers career success training and job search assistance to help you land a job. Career success training includes how to articulate your skills to employers, negotiate your salary, optimize your resume, and much more.