Back-End Developer
TechnologyYou build the invisible systems behind websites and apps — APIs, databases, authentication, business logic — all the stuff users never see but would instantly notice if it stopped working. You'll spend your days writing server-side code, optimizing database queries, and explaining to front-end developers why the API can't just 'return everything.' You're the plumbing. Nobody appreciates plumbing until it breaks.
Salary Range
Low
$75k
Median
$115k
High
$170k
10-Year Growth
faster than average
US Workers
175K
Education
Bachelor's in CS or equivalent experience + deep knowledge of at least one server-side language
Environment
indoor
Tools & Technical Skills
- ▸Server-side languages (Python, Java, Go, Node.js, C#)
- ▸Database design and query optimization (PostgreSQL, MySQL, Redis)
- ▸RESTful and gRPC API design
- ▸Message queues and event-driven architecture (Kafka, RabbitMQ)
- ▸Authentication/authorization frameworks
- ▸Containerization (Docker) and orchestration (Kubernetes)
- ▸Monitoring and observability (Datadog, Grafana, Prometheus)
People & Mindset Skills
- ▸Logical and systems thinking
- ▸Debugging persistence
- ▸Written communication (documentation)
- ▸Collaboration with cross-functional teams
- ▸Security-first mindset
Learn the skills
Courses and certifications to get you job-ready
Server-side languages (Python, Java, Go, Node.js, C#)
Database design and query optimization (PostgreSQL, MySQL, Redis)
RESTful and gRPC API design
Containerization (Docker) and orchestration (Kubernetes)
What you'll actually do
- 01Design and build APIs that front-end developers will immediately ask you to change the response shape of
- 02Write database queries and optimize the ones that take 30 seconds to run because the ORM generated a 47-join monster
- 03Implement authentication and authorization systems because getting security wrong means the CEO is on CNN
- 04Debug production issues at 11 PM using logs, metrics, and the sinking feeling that it was your last deploy
- 05Design data models that balance normalization with 'we need this query to be fast' — pick one
- 06Write background jobs and message queue consumers that process millions of events without losing any
Related Shifts
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