When it comes to careers in technology, few roles provide as many opportunities to meaningfully impact a project as full stack development. It remains one of the most in-demand roles in the IT industry worldwide, meaning more and more people are choosing to train for a career as a full stack dev.

We’ve outlined what exactly a full stack developer does, and the qualifications needed to become one. You’ll also find a detailed learning path, a list of skills (and coding languages) you should be proficient in, and a career progression chart. This knowledge is valuable whether you’re pursuing an in-house position or aiming to provide software development services as a consultant or contractor.

But first things first – what exactly is a full stack developer?

What is a full stack developer? Role and responsibilities

A full stack developer is a type of web developer or software engineer. What sets them apart from other developers is hidden in the term “full stack,” which refers to both the front end and back end of an application.

This means that a full stack developer is a crucial member of a development team, who’s capable of working across both the front end and back end of a given project. Full stack developers also often work between these two parts of a project, so the front and back end can successfully integrate with each other.

Though each project is different, these developers can expect job responsibilities that include the following:

Front end full stack developer responsibilities

• Developing user interfaces using HTML, JavaScript and other frameworks like React.
• Optimizing web applications so they’re responsive across different browsers and devices.
• Considering a project from the user or client’s perspective to improve their experience.

Back end full stack developer responsibilities

• Building a server’s logic using a range of languages, including Python, Java or Ruby.
• Designing and handling authorization.
• Designing and managing database systems.

Integrated front end and back end responsibilities of a full stack developer

• Developing and integrating APIs to create effective communication between front end and back end.
• Testing, debugging and troubleshooting any issues.
• Developing every project with security in mind.
• Collaborating with other developers as well as design and leadership teams.

These exact responsibilities will vary depending on the company you work for and the project you’re assigned. But if you’re learning how to become a full stack developer, it’s worth keeping each of these in mind as responsibilities you could be tasked with in the future.

What qualifications do I need to become a full stack developer?

A university degree isn’t always required, but it can be for some roles, and having one will help you stand out from other applicants. Full stack developers usually study either computer science, software engineering, or a related field at BA level. This is what’s sometimes referred to as the university route.

It is, however, possible to become a full stack developer without a degree. There are two ways of doing this, the first being the bootcamp route. To eventually become a dev this way, you’ll need to develop your coding skills; refer to the skills section further into this guide to see which languages and proficiencies you should focus on.

Through this route, you can access boot camps or coding courses. Attending one of these courses can prepare you for a future role as a full stack developer. In the US, most of these courses are available online and cost between $4,000-22,000. Some of them guarantee you a job after completing the course, and some are far more intensive than others. If you’re looking to go through the boot camp route, make sure you find the right course for your skill level and budget before you sign up.

Finally, you can try and become a full stack development professional on your own through a self-taught route. To do this you should access free online courses to build your knowledge of development tools. Some online courses are also paid, and serve as a less-intense version of a full stack software developer boot camp. Remember that if you plan on taking the self-taught path, you will likely first need to get an internship or start out as a junior developer where you’ll further refine your full stack developer skills. But if you already have a strong understanding of computer science, and you’re self-motivated and focused enough to keep to a strict training routine, you can become a successful full stack developer with a self-taught background.

Full stack developer learning path: a list of programming languages you need to know to become a full stack developer

The majority of a full stack developer’s responsibilities involve programming and associated technical skills. If you’re figuring out how to become a full stack developer yourself, you need to make sure you build on your coding skills. 

Though the exact needs of each project will vary, full stack developers should be familiar with the following programming languages:

1. Front end languages to improve user interfaces. Most developers start by learning HTML and CSS, as most websites are built on them and they’re crucial for web development projects. But understanding JavaScript is also incredibly important for any full stack developer job. These three are considered the essential programming languages when it comes to full stack developer skills.
2. Git and Github. Github is a vital resource for full stack developers, as it lets you share your code and learn from other experienced developers through an open-source platform. To be able to share your projects on Github and improve your skills, you need to first understand the version control system Git. You’ll also be able to work with Visual Studio Code through Github Copilot.
3. Back end languages. JavaScript is an important back end language, but you should also learn how to work with Node.js. Node.js essentially lets you run your JavaScript on your computer as well as on a browser. If you’re already confident with JavaScript, other useful back end technologies and languages for full stack developers include Python, Ruby and C#.
4. Database languages. Learning SQL and NoSQL, for relational and non-relational databases respectively, can help you stand out if you’re aiming for full stack roles with a lot of database management.
5. More advanced skills. Training with React.js can be incredibly useful, as it’s the biggest JavaScript framework at the moment. TypeScript can also help you build more reliable projects.

What skills are useful when trying to become a full stack developer?

Further to these specific coding languages and technical skills, learning how to become a proficient full stack developer also involves understanding other, more general skill sets. These are sometimes called soft skills, as while they don’t involve as much technical knowledge or exact qualifications, they’re all critical skills that can help you become a better full stack developer within a wider team.

The main soft skill set you’ll need as an effective full stack developer will usually include:

1. Problem-solving as well as logical thinking. Being an efficient problem solver is essential when working on the back end of projects.
2. Collaboration and effective communication. Full stack developers don’t build projects alone, they form a crucial part of far larger teams. Learning how to effectively collaborate with team members will make everyone’s job easier in the long run, and should lead to more successful projects.
3. Time management. Time management is particularly important on longer projects with many different stages. As a full stack developer, you’ll be expected to meet deadlines often to keep a project within budget and deliverable on time.
4. Adaptability. Programming is a field that’s constantly changing. Skilled full stack developers are used to adapting to unforeseen challenges and working on their skills so they can continue to positively influence their projects.
5. Leadership skills. As you progress through the full stack developer career path, you may reach a position where you’re managing a team of your own. Doing so will involve working on your leadership skills, and your ability to empathize with and support your team.

Full stack developers can expect to gain more responsibilities as they continue through their career. While every individual’s career path is different, the below represents a typical career progression for a full stack developer in the US.

Intern Full Stack Developer: Before being hired fully, you might be able to become an Intern Full Stack Developer. Internships are sometimes provided as part of university degrees, or you can access them independently. They usually last around 12 months and are designed as a combination of continued learning and real-world working experience. 

Junior Full Stack Developer: In most cases, you’ll begin as a Junior Full Stack Developer. Sometimes, this role is also known as an Associate Developer. This is a full stack development entry-level position. At this stage of your career, you might be responsible for either front end or back end development, depending on the needs of your company. 

Front End Developer or Back End Developer: It’s common for some developers to prefer one side of development at this stage and choose to specialize. You would then instead become either a dedicated Front End Developer or Back End Developer and won’t ever work with the other side of applications. But if you’re still a skilled generalist and capable of working across both areas, you may progress further along the full stack developer career path.

Mid-level Full Stack Developer: This should lead you to becoming a Mid-level Full Stack Developer. At this stage of your career, you’ll be able to confidently handle both front and back-end development, as well as integrate between them. You may still be tasked with more of one than the other, depending on your company. You will likely also have more database management responsibilities. 

Senior Full Stack Developer: After a few years as a mid-level full stack dev, you may be promoted to a Senior Full Stack Developer. It’s common for developers to have spent a minimum of 5 years before reaching this stage, though it can take longer. In larger companies, this role change may mean becoming a team leader or having more management duties. This means you’ll have less direct responsibility over code, but you’ll need to direct and lead your team of developers.

Full Stack Development Consultant: Some further career opportunities also exist beyond senior development. If you’re particularly skilled and would prefer to work for yourself, you may choose to become a Full Stack Development Consultant. Consultants usually work on a project-by-project basis, which may mean working intensively for a few months and then having little to no work afterward. But consultants can command significant pay.

Technical Director: Finally, you might instead be promoted to the role of Technical Director, which involves leading the entire tech department of a company. This role demands significant responsibility while forming a key part of the C-suite.

Start Your Journey Today

Full stack web development can be an exciting career path for those who enjoy all sides of programming and development. If you’re interested in becoming a full stack developer yourself, the first step is to start learning HTML, CSS and Javascript today.

FAQs

How much can I earn as a full stack developer?

The amount you can earn as a full stack developer depends on your location, your experience level and the company you’re hoping to work in. In the US, average salaries for full stack developers are around $125,000.

How long does it take to work in full stack development?

This depends on the route you’ve chosen to take. If you take the university route, you’ll need to complete your 3-year degree before becoming a full stack developer.

The boot camp route can be quicker than this, though it depends on your circumstances. Most full stack development bootcamps take between 6 months to a year to complete. There’s no time scale for becoming a full stack developer if you’re self-taught, but you should expect it to take at least the same amount of time as one of these boot camps. 

How many programming languages must I know to become a full stack developer?

The languages you’ll need as a full stack developer depend on the company you work for and the specific project you’re working on. As a foundation, you should be experienced in both HTML and CSS, and you should have a lot of experience with Javascript.

The more languages you know beyond this, the more jobs you’ll be qualified for and the better you’ll understand programming in general. Some common languages that full stack developers should consider learning include Python, Ruby and C++.

If you’re working with databases or more complicated web applications, you should also know SQL and NoSQL. 

How can I prepare for full stack development job interviews?

Full stack developer interview questions will likely include a mix of front end and back end technical questions. Try to prepare personal project examples (particularly any real world projects if you have them) based on your portfolio, and find a way to weave them into your answers.

Make sure to also do your research on the company you’re applying for, so you can make specific references to them in your answers.

Finally, prepare your answers ahead of time. State your previous experience or your future goals. If you practice these before the interview, you’ll have an easier time remembering what to reference.