So, you want to become a full-stack developer? It’s a good choice if you’re looking for an in-demand job in the tech field.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects employment of web developers and digital designers to grow much faster than average from 2021-2031. Every year for the next decade, the BLS projects an average of nearly 22,000 new openings.1
With this kind of solid demand, you can explore numerous career paths even amid economic downturns and hiring freezes.
If you’re wondering about the typical career path for full-stack developers, read on.
In this post, you’ll learn about full-stack developer career paths.
You can also review some common full-stack developer interview questions so you can go into every interview with confidence.
Full-Stack Developer Definition
Full-stack developers know how to work on the server side (back end) and the client side (front end). They understand all the technologies required to build a website, making them highly appealing to employers of all kinds.
These professionals get to be creative, work on many different tasks, and solve sometimes perplexing challenges. They’re often curious, open-minded, and detail-oriented. If this sounds like you, working as a full-stack developer may be a great fit.
Full-stack developers can also learn many other stacks to improve their versatility in the workplace.
For example, you could learn data stacks to work on things like data pipelines and analytics. Or, you could master a mobile stack, becoming adept in programming like Java (Android) or React Native (cross-platform).
Full-Stack Developer Career Path
Don’t have a degree in computer science or a related field? That’s okay. You don’t necessarily need one to become a full-stack developer.
However, this career path typically requires a combination of educational and work experience.
It’s important to consider how you’ll get the training and education required to begin your career as a full-stack developer.
In the sections below, we dive a little deeper into a career path for full-stack developers.
How to Become a Full-Stack Developer
Starting a career as a full-stack developer typically requires that you follow one of the following options:
- Earn a computer science degree
- Complete a bootcamp
- Teach yourself (Many successful full-stack developers are self-taught.)
Do your research and think about what works best for your current personal and professional responsibilities.
There’s no one right choice, but the option you choose will impact how quickly you can begin working as a full-stack developer.
For example, if you enroll in a coding bootcamp, you could be ready to launch your career in just weeks.
But if you decide to pursue an undergraduate computer science degree from a college or university, you’re looking at a four-year time investment — plus a potentially hefty tuition bill.
Entry-Level Full-Stack Developer Jobs
Once you’ve met all the educational and experience requirements, you’re ready to take the next step on your full-stack developer career path.
Just like other professions, you’ll likely begin your career on the lowest rung of the ladder. You may start as a trainee to learn different software and gain your footing in the field.
From there, you may work as a junior-level developer. In general, these professionals know at least one programming language and understand basic database design techniques.
Mid-Level Full-Stack Developer Jobs
After you’ve accrued a few years of experience, you can advance to a mid-level full-stack developer.
At this stage of your full-stack developer career path, you’ll most likely be able to complete projects on your own. Most middle developers also work on a team, which provides accountability and an extra layer of error-checking.
Senior-Level Full-Stack Developer Jobs
As you continue your full-stack developer career, you can move into senior-level roles. Job titles may include:
- Senior full-stack developer
- Senior integrations developer
- Senior full-stack engineer
These professionals have climbed the proverbial career ladder — and they’re expected to have the skills and knowledge to go with their top-level position.
Senior-level full-stack developers often oversee mid-level and sometimes entry-level workers. Because of this, they need to demonstrate strong leadership skills and be able to manage complex projects.
Full-Stack Developer Salary
So, how much do full-stack developers make? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, The median annual wage for web developers was $77,030 in May 2021.1
How much you may earn depends on many factors, including your experience, your employer, and your geographic location.
Full-Stack Developer Interview Questions
A crucial step in your full-stack developer career path is, of course, landing a job. And before you get that job, you need to wow your interviewers.
Preparing for a full-stack developer interview is just like preparing for any other job interview. You should rehearse what you want to say about yourself and thoroughly research the company and job posting. This way you can be prepared to ask thoughtful questions during the interview.
Remember — an interview is your chance to show what you know and highlight your background and credentials. You could talk about any full-stack development bootcamps or courses you’ve taken. You could also explain any previous roles you’ve had.
If you’re wondering what kind of questions you may be fielding in a full-stack developer interview, keep reading. In the section below, we highlight a few common questions your interviewer may ask.
- What’s your favorite language and why?
- What are you currently coding?
- Tell me about a project you worked on. What technologies were involved and why did you make these choices?
- How can you share code between files?
- What’s Inversion of Control?
- How would you explain long polling?
- What are some pros and cons of using “use strict?”
- What are some ways to reduce load times for web applications?
Learn Full-Stack Development at Coding Dojo
Ready to take the first step on your full-stack developer career path? We’re here for you.
Download our free course packet to learn about our curriculum. You can also schedule a quick one-on-one call to get more details about our coding bootcamps.
In just 14 to 32 weeks, you could be ready to begin a fulfilling career as a full-stack developer. Let Coding Dojo help you learn full-stack development. Contact us today!
1Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Web Developers and Digital Designers, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/web-developers.htm (visited March 16, 2023). This data represents national figures and is not based on school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary.
Coding Dojo cannot guarantee employment, salary, or career advancement. Not all programs are available to residents of all states. REQ1920186 4/2023