Introduction
You might ask what the average hourly rate for backend developer is. Well, the answer relies on various elements, such as the physical location of your business, the developer’s location, and the software packages in which they are skilled.
As a backend developer, you play a crucial role in creating and maintaining the infrastructure that powers websites and applications. With the constant growth of the tech industry, demand for backend developers is high, and so are the rates they can command. However, the hourly rate for backend developers can vary greatly depending on their location and level of experience.
When it comes to location, it’s no secret that major tech hubs like San Francisco and New York City offer some of the highest rates for backend developers. These cities are home to many of the world’s largest tech companies, as well as a thriving startup scene. As a result, competition for talent is fierce, which drives up rates. In comparison, smaller cities and towns may not have the same level of demand, and therefore, rates may be lower.
In addition to location, experience is another key factor that can impact a backend developer’s hourly rate. A developer with 5 years of experience will typically command a higher rate than one with only 2 years of experience. This is because an experienced developer has a proven track record of delivering high-quality work and is able to handle more complex projects.
Backend Development- A Deeper Insight into What It is
This developer ensures that your online and mobile applications’ back-end data can communicate with its front-end users. Your company’s front-end developers and UI/UX designers are responsible for the interface and experience your customers have. The responsibility of the backend developer is to ensure the functionality of all code running on the server.
For example, the backend developers of a music app would be responsible for ensuring that the app’s class data was integrating and updating correctly, that user accounts were being served up, and that payments were being handled and deposited into the appropriate bank account.
They are key to your company’s growth. Be sure to recruit developers with the expertise to interface with your systems and, ideally, some familiarity with your field. You need to conduct a thorough interview to hire the best backend developer. They should be able to advise you, in conjunction with the rest of your team, on what a top-tier server-side protocol entails for businesses in your field.
It’s crucial to be accurate when estimating backend software developer salaries. A shortage of qualified workers has made it a seller’s market.
The Role of Backend Developers
In a nutshell, backend development is the process of creating and maintaining a database. Whether you’re making a mobile app or a web app, you’ll need developers that are comfortable working with the Object Relationship Manager (ORM) that will connect the two frameworks.
Developers at the backend deal with your raw data and any client-side APIs at a higher degree of abstraction. The typical wage of a backend developer demonstrates that their job ensures everything works together well. Depending on their experience level, they are your team’s highest-paid employees. Given that you want to recruit a Python programmer, they should be experts in Python, JavaScript, Java, Node.js, PHP, Ruby, and C#. According to Glassdoor, the average annual compensation for a back-end developer in the United States is around $75,000, with the highest earning up to $117,000.
Factors That Affect Back-end Developer Salary
The typical income of a back-end developer and the back-end developer’s hourly rate is sensitive to various variables. Summing up, they are the following:
Cost of Living
The cost of living in a specific area can have a significant impact on the salary of a back-end developer. For example, the cost of living in San Francisco is much higher than in a smaller city, so a developer working in San Francisco may have a higher salary to compensate for the higher cost of living. Services (housing, transportation, healthcare, etc.) in the country where your IT talent is located.
The demand of The Market
In a low unemployment environment, talent costs are closely linked to the amount employer of record are ready to pay. The demand for back-end developers can also affect their salaries. If there is a high demand for back-end developers in a certain area or industry, employers may be willing to offer higher salaries to attract and retain skilled workers.
Knowledge of Skills
Your developer’s worth increases if they are fluent in all the necessary languages and have additional capabilities, such as Full Stack development certifications, project management abilities, or something similar. The specific skills and knowledge a back-end developer possesses can also affect their salary. Developers who are proficient in certain programming languages or technologies, such as Python, Java, or AWS, may command a higher salary than those who are not as proficient in these areas.
The Rarity of The Skills
You should expect to spend more if your developer requires specialized expertise or experience, such as proficiency in an atypical programming language or extensive background in a specific industry. The amount remaining is still up for grabs. The rarity of a developer’s skills can also affect their salary. Developers who possess unique or niche skills that are in high demand, such as expertise in machine learning or blockchain technology, may command a higher salary than those with more common skills.
Backend Developer Hourly Rate Comparison Report
The average backend developer salary will significantly differ depending on the job’s specifics. You might anticipate significant differences depending on factors such as the individual’s level of seniority, talent shortages, and the location of the individual’s home country, region, or even city.
Comparison By Experience
In places like the United States, where the cost of living is higher than in the rest of the world and there is a shortage of programmers, there can be a salary gap of more than double between an entry-level engineer and a senior engineer.
Salary ranges in the United States have roughly a $100,000 gap between the lowest and highest estimates for 2021, as calculated by ziprecruiter.com.
However, this US-based figure from Software Guild indicates far more modest predictions, with entry-level backend developers earning $34,000 per year, mid-level developers earning $72,000, and senior developers earning $98,000.
Remember that these are only averages for the country and that the salary range shown in the figure is the one that was submitted to ZipRecruiter by its users. In any case, the income of a backend software developer varies substantially depending on expertise. Therefore, you should set your expectations appropriately.
Comparison By Location
Similarly to the median annual pay of a backend developer, the hourly rate of such a professional varies considerably across the country. Many businesses are turning offshore to find an IT consulting firm. Especially when compared to the expense of bringing in consultants in the United States or Western Europe, the savings can be staggering, especially when it comes to bringing in senior-level personnel.
| Region/Country | Average Range | Top-End |
| Asia | $21 – 50 | $70 |
| East Europe | $31 – 60 | $80 |
| West Europe | $61 – 100 | $130 |
| Latin America | $41 – 60 | $90 |
| North America | $80 – 100 | $160 |
You won’t have to provide your staff perks like healthcare or vacation compensation if you hire an outsourcing firm. Compared to making an internal hire, the business will save time and money on administrative tasks like training, bookkeeping, and hiring.
More and more businesses are opting to hire employees on an hourly basis due to the cost savings and adaptability that moving from an salary to hourly calculation provides.
Verdict
In conclusion, backend development is a vital aspect of web development that involves creating and maintaining the server-side logic, databases, and APIs that power the functionality of web applications. Backend developers work closely with frontend developers and designers to deliver a seamless user experience by ensuring that the website or web application is responsive, fast, and reliable. They also work with system administrators to deploy and maintain the web application on servers.
Whether you’re expanding your in-house team or hiring a consultant, considering companies for web development can be a great option to find a professional and skilled back-end developer who can deliver outstanding results. By following the procedures outlined here and being aware of the expected hourly rate for a back-end developer, you can make an informed decision and find the right person for your team. Just remember to be patient and trust the process.