33 Honest Back End Developer Salaries
Back end developers are the unsung heroes of every modern application. While front end developers handle what users see, back-end developers are responsible for building the logic, infrastructure, and databases that power the entire experience. As more businesses go digital, demand for skilled back end developers has surged—especially for professionals who can scale systems, optimize performance, and integrate with cloud services.
But how much do back end developers really make? It's time to look at the data and break down what influences earnings across roles, skill sets, and locations.
What is a Back End Developer?
A back end developer is responsible for building and maintaining the server-side logic that powers websites and applications. Users interact with the front end (visible) part of an app, while the back end covers everything behind the scenes, including databases, APIs, application logic, and server integration.
In short, if front end developers create what users see, the back end dev writes the code that makes the app or platform actually work.
Core responsibilities include:
Writing server-side code to support front end functionality
Designing and managing databases
Creating and consuming APIs (REST, GraphQL, etc.)
Ensuring system security, scalability, and performance
Integrating cloud services and third-party tools
The exact tools and languages used by back end developers vary by platform, company, and even personal preference. However, you should expect to be familiar with these tools and languages:
Frameworks: Express.js, Django, Spring Boot, Ruby on Rails
Databases: PostgreSQL, MongoDB, MySQL, Redis
Cloud: AWS, Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD pipelines
Generally, roles in this field are just called back end developers, but you might also see role titles like software engineer (back end), API dev, platform engineer, or server-side developer.
Not sure if this career is for you? Check out our free IT personality quiz!
33 Honest Salaries for Back End Developers
To give you a clear picture of what back end developers earn across the U.S., we analyzed salary data from job postings, compensation databases, and employer-reported figures in 33 cities. These numbers reflect total base pay ranges for full-time roles and don’t include bonuses, stock options, or other benefits.
The national average for a back end developer hovers around $120,000 according to ZipRecruiter, but that number can swing significantly depending on where you work, your experience level, and what technologies you specialize in.
The chart below includes low-end, average, and high-end salaries in markets ranging from major tech hubs to smaller cities with growing tech scenes.
City / State | Low-End Salary | Average Salary | High-End Salary |
San Francisco, CA | $105,000 | $145,000 | $180,000 |
New York, NY | $100,000 | $140,000 | $175,000 |
Seattle, WA | $95,000 | $135,000 | $170,000 |
Austin, TX | $85,000 | $115,000 | $145,000 |
Boston, MA | $90,000 | $125,000 | $160,000 |
Los Angeles, CA | $92,000 | $130,000 | $165,000 |
Chicago, IL | $88,000 | $120,000 | $150,000 |
Denver, CO | $87,000 | $118,000 | $148,000 |
Atlanta, GA | $86,000 | $115,000 | $145,000 |
San Diego, CA | $87,000 | $120,000 | $150,000 |
Washington, DC | $92,000 | $125,000 | $155,000 |
Dallas, TX | $88,000 | $118,000 | $150,000 |
Portland, OR | $86,000 | $115,000 | $145,000 |
Raleigh, NC | $84,000 | $112,000 | $142,000 |
Charlotte, NC | $83,000 | $110,000 | $140,000 |
Salt Lake City, UT | $82,000 | $108,000 | $138,000 |
Minneapolis, MN | $85,000 | $112,000 | $142,000 |
Phoenix, AZ | $83,000 | $110,000 | $140,000 |
Miami, FL | $81,000 | $107,000 | $135,000 |
Tampa, FL | $80,000 | $105,000 | $130,000 |
Houston, TX | $85,000 | $110,000 | $140,000 |
Philadelphia, PA | $88,000 | $115,000 | $145,000 |
Nashville, TN | $80,000 | $105,000 | $130,000 |
Indianapolis, IN | $78,000 | $102,000 | $125,000 |
Cleveland, OH | $76,000 | $100,000 | $123,000 |
Pittsburgh, PA | $77,000 | $101,000 | $125,000 |
Kansas City, MO | $75,000 | $99,000 | $122,000 |
St. Louis, MO | $74,000 | $97,000 | $120,000 |
Detroit, MI | $77,000 | $100,000 | $125,000 |
Boise, ID | $73,000 | $96,000 | $118,000 |
Tallahassee, FL | $70,000 | $92,000 | $112,000 |
Albuquerque, NM | $72,000 | $94,000 | $115,000 |
Omaha, NE | $74,000 | $96,000 | $118,000 |
Back End Developer Salary Trends and Insights
Unsurprisingly, major tech hubs like San Francisco, New York, and Seattle top the charts for back-end developer salaries. But it’s not just about geography—it’s about what you bring to the table, and where your skills fit local demand.
Tech Salaries are Flattening—Unless You Specialize
While salaries are still highest in coastal metros, the gap is closing in cities like Denver, Austin, and Chicago, where tech growth and remote work are fueling higher demand for skilled back end developers. If you specialize in cloud-native technologies, modern frameworks like Go or Node.js, or have experience with DevOps and containerization, you can often command competitive salaries regardless of your zip code.
Small Cities, Small Spreads
In emerging tech markets like Tallahassee, Omaha, and Boise, the salary ranges are tighter. That means less variance between junior and senior roles—likely due to fewer large enterprises and a more generalized developer workforce. These areas may offer a lower cost of living, but the ceiling is lower, too.
Wide Ranges Signal Opportunity
Cities like Los Angeles, Washington DC, and Houston show a broad salary range, which suggests a robust job market with everything from entry-level startup gigs to senior enterprise engineering roles. These markets reward both experience and specialization.
Remote Work Has Added Flexibility, but Not Parity
The remote shift has opened doors for developers in mid-sized cities to earn above-average salaries. But employers are still location-aware when it comes to pay. A developer in St. Louis may be offered less than a peer in Boston, even for the same remote role, unless their skill set is rare or highly sought-after.
Salary Considerations for Back End Developers
Not all back end developer roles pay the same, even within the same city or company. Here are key factors that can influence your earning potential:
Language Proficiency
Developers fluent in newer or high-performance languages, such as Go, Rust, or Kotlin, often earn more than those who stick to legacy stacks like PHP. These modern languages are in high demand for cloud-native and high-scale environments.
Cloud and DevOps Knowledge
If you can deploy code with Docker, orchestrate containers in Kubernetes, or work comfortably in AWS, you’re already ahead. Many companies are willing to pay a premium for developers who can bridge the gap between development and operations.
Framework Specialization
Deep experience with back end frameworks—like Express.js for Node.js, Django for Python, or Spring Boot for Java—can help you stand out. Employers value developers who can move quickly and confidently in their chosen stack.
Database Expertise
Strong skills in data modeling, query optimization, and scaling databases like PostgreSQL, MongoDB, or Redis can push your salary higher, especially in roles where performance and data integrity are crucial.
Industry
Your paycheck may look very different depending on where you work. Fintech, healthcare, and e-commerce companies often offer above-average compensation due to the complexity of regulations, the need for scale, and the demands for security.
How Experience Impacts Salary
Experience plays a major role in determining your salary as a back end developer—but it’s not just about years on the job. What you’ve done in that time matters just as much as how long you’ve been doing it.
Entry-Level (0–2 Years)
Typical salary: $75,000–$90,000 Early-career developers typically work on well-defined tasks like writing API endpoints, connecting to databases, and contributing to team-based sprints. You might not own entire systems yet, but you're learning how production-grade apps are built.
Mid-Level (3–5 Years)
Typical salary: $95,000–$120,000 At this point, you’re likely designing and building back end services independently. You’re comfortable navigating codebases, handling integrations, and mentoring junior developers. You might start taking ownership of modules or microservices.
Senior-Level (6+ Years)
Typical salary: $120,000–$160,000+ Senior developers are often responsible for making architectural decisions, designing scalable systems, reviewing code, and leading technical discussions. Many also serve as team leads or transition toward platform engineering or DevOps leadership.
Must-Know Tools for Back End Developers
To thrive as a back end developer, you need more than just one language under your belt. The modern back end stack is a mix of programming, data, infrastructure, and collaboration tools. Here’s what you should know:
Languages Like Python, Java, Node.js, Go, Ruby: These are the workhorses of the back end. Each has its strengths—Python for rapid development, Go for performance, and Node.js for seamless JavaScript integration.
Databases, Including MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis: Know how to model data, write efficient queries, and choose the right type of database (relational vs. NoSQL) for the job.
API Tools Like REST, GraphQL, Swagger, Postman: APIs are how the back end talks to the front end and other systems. Mastering these tools helps you design and test endpoints like a pro.
DevOps Tools Like Docker, Kubernetes, Jenkins, GitLab CI: Understanding how your code gets deployed, scaled, and monitored is crucial. Even basic knowledge of containerization and CI/CD can set you apart.
Cloud Platforms Like AWS, Azure, GCP: Back end devs who can deploy to the cloud, use managed services, and monitor production environments tend to command higher pay.
Version Control Tools Like Git, GitHub, GitLab: If you’re not using Git daily, you’re not doing professional software development. Learn to branch, merge, and resolve conflicts with confidence.
Must-Have Certifications for Back End Developers
While not always required, certifications can validate your skills, especially if you’re looking to level up, change industries, or stand out in a competitive job market. These are the ones worth considering:
AWS Certified Developer – Associate
This certification proves you can develop and maintain applications on Amazon Web Services, including how to use AWS SDKs, manage permissions, and integrate with cloud-native services. Ideal for developers working at companies that rely heavily on AWS infrastructure.
Microsoft Azure Developer Associate
Focused on building, testing, and maintaining cloud apps in Microsoft Azure, this cert is great for back end developers in enterprise environments or Microsoft-heavy shops. It covers compute, storage, security, and API integration.
Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD)
If your apps are running in containers (and most modern ones are) this cert shows you can build, configure, and deploy applications in Kubernetes. It’s particularly valuable for back end devs moving toward DevOps or platform engineering roles.
Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer
This certification covers deploying applications, monitoring operations, and managing cloud projects on Google Cloud Platform (GCP). It’s a good fit for developers working in startups or data-driven orgs using GCP tools like BigQuery or Firebase.
PostgreSQL or MongoDB Certification
Database certifications like these validate your skills in design, performance tuning, and security—especially useful for data-heavy back end roles or companies where performance and integrity are key.
How to Increase Your Salary as a Back End Developer
If you’re looking to boost your earning potential, you can't just clock in and crank out code. Strategic skill-building and visibility can make a big difference. Here’s how to stand out (and cash in):
Learn In-Demand Stacks and Frameworks: Specialize in modern, high-performing stacks like Node.js with Express, Go with Gin, or Python with Django or FastAPI. Mastering a specific ecosystem can make you the go-to expert.
Gain Experience With Containerization and Cloud-Native Deployment: Skills like Docker, Kubernetes, and CI/CD pipelines are no longer “nice to have.” They’re critical in many back end environments—especially at companies building for scale.
Contribute to Open-Source or GitHub Projects: Public code is a testament to your skills. A solid GitHub portfolio can help you land interviews, showcase collaboration skills, and signal you're serious about development.
Earn Certifications That Prove Cloud and Infrastructure Knowledge: As covered above, cloud and DevOps certifications help you stand out in resume filters and back your skills with credibility.
Transition Into DevOps, Platform Engineering, or Technical Lead Roles: These career paths tend to pay more—and draw heavily from back end experience. If you enjoy system design, automation, and scalability, consider making the jump.
Conclusion
Back end developers play a vital role in creating the infrastructure that keeps modern applications running smoothly and they’re paid well for it. Whether you're just starting out or already deep into your career, there’s strong earning potential across industries and locations.
But salary isn’t just about geography. The languages you know, the tools you master, and the certifications you earn all play a part. Staying current with in-demand frameworks, cloud platforms, and deployment strategies is key to earning more.
Want to level up your back end skills and take the next step in your career? CBT Nuggets offers hands-on training for the tools, frameworks, and certifications that matter most.
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