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Back-End Web Developer

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March 29, 2024 Updated April 10, 2025 15 minute read

Back-End Web Developer

Back-end web development involves building and maintaining the technology that powers websites and applications from behind the scenes. Think of it as the engine room of a ship; while you don't see it from the deck, it's responsible for making everything run. Back-end developers work on server-side software, focusing on databases, server logic, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), and the overall architecture that users don't directly interact with but rely on for the application to function correctly.

Working as a back-end developer often involves solving complex problems related to data management, security, and system performance. It's a role that requires strong analytical thinking and technical expertise. You'll be building the core logic that dictates how data is stored, retrieved, and manipulated, ensuring that the user-facing front-end has what it needs to operate seamlessly. This often means collaborating closely with front-end developers, designers, and product managers to bring a web application to life.

Overview of Back-End Web Development

What is Back-End Development?

Back-end development refers to the server-side of web applications. It's everything that happens "behind the curtain" when you use a website or app. When you fill out a form, log into an account, or search for information, the back-end systems process your request, interact with databases, and send the appropriate information back to your browser or device.

The primary objective of back-end development is to create reliable, efficient, and secure systems that support the user-facing part of an application (the front-end). This involves writing code that runs on a server, managing databases where application data is stored, and building APIs that allow different software components to communicate with each other.

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Salaries for Back-End Web Developer

City
Median
New York
$130,000
San Francisco
$160,000
Seattle
$123,000
See all salaries
City
Median
New York
$130,000
San Francisco
$160,000
Seattle
$123,000
Austin
$104,000
Toronto
$121,000
London
£61,000
Paris
€41,000
Berlin
€61,000
Tel Aviv
₪200,000
Singapore
S$110,000
Beijing
¥398,000
Shanghai
¥61,000
Shenzhen
¥505,000
Bengalaru
₹700,000
Delhi
₹300,000
Bars indicate relevance. All salaries presented are estimates. Completion of this course does not guarantee or imply job placement or career outcomes.

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