Full-Stack Developer Salary: Your 2026 Guide

Key takeaways

• Your full-stack developer salary can vary based on factors such as the city you work in, as well as how many years of experience you have.

• Full-stack developer salary data shows that the median total pay is $119,000 according to Glassdoor [1].

• Over time, you can increase your earning potential; for example, senior full-stack developer salary data for someone with 10 to 14 years of experience shows a median total pay of $139,000 [1].

Other ways to increase your potential salary as a full-stack developer include advancing your technical skills and earning a certification. Learn more about how much you can make in a full-stack developer role. If you’re ready to get your start, earn a Microsoft Full-Stack Developer Professional Certificate, where you will have the opportunity to develop in-demand skills, such as version control, SQL, graph theory, secure coding, and more.

What is a full-stack developer salary?

Full-stack developers work across the development process, on both the front end and the back end. Because of their expertise, they tend to earn high salaries.

According to Glassdoor, the median total pay for a full-stack developer in the US is $119,000, a figure that includes base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation [1]. Explore salary ranges by location, job title, and experience.

What is the average full-stack developer salary by location?

Larger cities often require a higher cost of living, so full-stack developers in these areas typically get paid more. The highest-paying cities, along with the average annual salary, are as follows [2]:

• San Francisco, CA: $183,454

• McLean, VA: $166,155

• New York, NY: $163,573

• Irving, TX: $144,783

• Washington, DC: $142,248

• Austin, TX: $130,709

• Chicago, IL: $129,502

• Tampa, FL: $125,256

• Atlanta, GA: $121,797

Is a full-stack developer a good career?

If you are considering a career in software development, learning to become a full-stack developer might be a good career move. One reason is that you will have a versatile set of skills, which will help you qualify for a wider range of jobs and projects. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), software developers make an average salary of $133,080, more than double the average across all occupations of $49,500 [3]. The BLS also reports that this labor market category will grow by 15 percent from 2024 to 2034 [4].

Senior vs entry-level average full-stack developer salary

A full-stack developer’s salary in the US may depend on the amount of professional experience, and as you gain more, you’ll likely get promoted, which leads to higher earnings. Explore the total median pay range of full-stack developers by years of experience [1]:

• 0–1 years of experience: $98,000

• 1–3 years of experience: $108,000

• 4–6 years of experience: $118,000

• 7–9 years of experience: $125,000

• 10–14 years of experience: $139,000

*All salary information represents the median total pay from Glassdoor as of July 2026. These figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

How to increase your full-stack web developer salary

You can increase your full-stack developer salary by taking steps to improve your skills, like learning another programming language or improving your technical and workplace skills.

Learn another programming language.

Your knowledge about a website's front and back ends will make you a more valuable employee and likely grant you a more lucrative full-stack developer career. Knowing more than one programming language can be beneficial. A few programming languages that full-stack developers can benefit from learning include:

• JavaScript

• SQL

• CSS/HTML

• C#

• Python

• React

Learn more: Why and How to Learn SQL

Expand your technical skill set.

Build your technical skill set by earning a full-stack certification or certificate, which verifies the knowledge you've gained and the skills you've developed as a result. Explore essential programming environments, frameworks, and platforms for full-stack developers:

• Node.js

• Django

• Containers

• GitHub

• Kubernetes

You can familiarize yourself with all of the above by enrolling in a full-stack development online program, like the IBM Full Stack Software Developer Professional Certificate. Over 15 courses, you'll learn how to build, deploy, test, run, and manage full-stack cloud-native applications.

Enhance your workplace skills.

In addition to technical capabilities, full-stack developers must possess interpersonal skills. They often work on teams with other developers and collaborate with clients and shareholders. A few non-technical skills (also known as soft skills) for full-stack developers to master are:

• Creativity

• Problem-solving

• Written and verbal communication skills

• Working knowledge of software development methodologies like DevOps, CI/CD (continuous integration, continuous delivery), and Agile

You likely already possess some of the skills mentioned above. To increase your understanding of these essential development concepts, consider enrolling in an online course. For example, you can learn DevOps, Agile, Scrum, CI/CD, and Cloud Native through IBM's DevOps and Software Engineering Professional Certificate.

Do I need a degree to be a full-stack developer?

Yes, you typically need to earn a bachelor’s degree to be a full-stack developer. While many aspiring full-stack developers choose computer science as a major, you may also choose to major in web development, software engineering, or information technology.

What does a full-stack developer do?

Full-stack developers create and maintain websites' front and back ends. They often work on a team with dedicated UI and UX designers and other web developers. Some duties of a full-stack developer may include:

• Developing web applications, websites, or computer programs

• Creating executable code for the functionality of web design elements

• Coding server-side elements

• Testing and maintaining web-based projects

• Overseeing projects to stay within budget and optimize speed, functionality, and reliability

• Collaborating with designers, web developers, and clients

• Staying current with technological trends within the industry

How do I qualify to become a full-stack developer?

A full-stack developer is a computer programmer with experience in all areas of web development. These professionals have mastered client software for developing the front end and server software for the functionality of the back end. They also have a working knowledge of popular stacks, a combination of computer programming tools for specific functions and parameters. These include:

• LAMP stack

• LEMP stack

• MEAN stack

• Django stack

• Ruby on Rails

You'll be on your way to a successful full-stack developer career by learning each stack level and how they function interdependently. While many full-stack developers hold a bachelor’s degree in computer programming or a related field, many learn through online courses.

No-fluff help for when you’re stuck

Need help researching job opportunities? Join Career Chat on LinkedIn. When you’re learning full-stack development and programming languages, explore these helpful resources:

• Master coding basics: Python Basics Cheat Sheet

• Learn key terms: SQL Glossary

• Watch on YouTube: So You Want to Be a Web Developer? Here’s How to Make it Happen!

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