- 1.Backend developers earn approximately 8-10% more than frontend peers at equivalent experience levels (BLS, Glassdoor 2024)
- 2.The salary gap widens at senior levels: Senior Backend ($165K) vs Senior Frontend ($150K) median
- 3.Full Stack developers fall in between but are most in-demand for startups and small companies
- 4.React and TypeScript specialists can match backend salaries due to high demand
- 5.Backend premiums are largest in finance, enterprise, and data-intensive industries
Frontend vs Backend Salary Overview
The frontend vs backend salary debate has a clear answer: backend developers typically earn more. However, the gap is smaller than many expect, and individual factors like technology stack, company type, and negotiation skills often matter more than which 'end' you specialize in.
Both paths lead to six-figure salaries at mid-level and beyond. The choice should be driven by interest and aptitude, not just compensation—you'll earn more by excelling in either field than by chasing the supposedly higher-paying path you don't enjoy.
Frontend vs Backend: Head-to-Head Comparison
Median salary and market demand for each specialization
Backend Developer
Median Annual Salary
Frontend Developer
Median Annual Salary
Backend Developer
Median Annual Salary
Full Stack Developer
Median Annual Salary
Why Backend Developers Earn More
Several factors contribute to the backend salary premium. Understanding these helps explain the gap and identify when frontend can match or exceed backend compensation.
Backend systems handle data persistence, business logic, security, and integration with external services. Mistakes have larger blast radius—a database error can corrupt data; a CSS bug just looks wrong. Higher stakes command higher pay.
Key Skills
Common Jobs
- • Backend Engineer
- • API Developer
- • Systems Engineer
Backend requires understanding of algorithms, data structures, databases, and system design. Frontend has more accessible learning paths—visible results come faster. Higher barriers correlate with higher compensation.
Key Skills
Common Jobs
- • Backend Engineer
- • Platform Engineer
- • Infrastructure Engineer
More developers start with frontend (immediate visual feedback is motivating). Backend-heavy industries like finance, healthcare, and enterprise have strong demand but smaller talent pools.
Key Skills
Common Jobs
- • Enterprise Developer
- • Fintech Engineer
- • Healthcare Tech
Salary by Experience Level
The backend premium increases with experience. At entry level, the gap is modest. At senior and staff levels, it widens significantly because backend scaling challenges require deeper expertise.
Frontend vs Backend Salary by Experience
| Level | Frontend | Backend | Full Stack | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry (0-2 years) | $70,000-$90,000 | $75,000-$95,000 | $72,000-$92,000 | +7% |
| Mid (2-5 years) | $95,000-$125,000 | $105,000-$140,000 | $100,000-$130,000 | +10% |
| Senior (5-8 years) | $130,000-$165,000 | $145,000-$185,000 | $135,000-$175,000 | +12% |
| Staff (8-12 years) | $160,000-$210,000 | $180,000-$240,000 | $170,000-$220,000 | +13% |
| Principal (12+ years) | $190,000-$260,000 | $220,000-$300,000 | $200,000-$280,000 | +15% |
Source: Levels.fyi, Glassdoor 2024
Software Developer Employment
Software Developer roles projected to grow 25% from 2023-2033, adding 413,000 new jobs. Both frontend and backend share in this growth, with backend slightly ahead due to enterprise digital transformation.
Salary by Technology Stack
Technology choices significantly impact compensation. Some frontend stacks can match backend salaries, while certain backend languages command substantial premiums.
Salary by Tech Stack (Senior Level)
| Technology | Type | Median Salary | Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Go | Backend | $165,000 | Very High |
| Rust | Backend/Systems | $160,000 | High (growing) |
| Scala | Backend | $158,000 | Moderate |
| Kotlin | Backend/Android | $152,000 | High |
| Python | Backend/ML | $150,000 | Very High |
| TypeScript | Full Stack | $148,000 | Very High |
| React/Next.js | Frontend | $145,000 | Very High |
| Java | Backend | $145,000 | High |
| Node.js | Backend | $142,000 | Very High |
| Vue.js | Frontend | $138,000 | Moderate |
| Angular | Frontend | $135,000 | Moderate (declining) |
Source: Stack Overflow Survey, Glassdoor 2024
Full Stack Developer Compensation
Full Stack developers fall between frontend and backend specialists in pay, but they're highly valued for versatility. The trade-off: breadth over depth means slower progression to principal-level roles.
Source: Glassdoor 2024
Salary by Company Type
Company type dramatically impacts compensation. The backend premium is largest at enterprise companies and financial institutions, while startups often pay similar rates for both specializations.
Compensation by Company Type (Senior Level)
| Company Type | Frontend | Backend | Full Stack | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FAANG/Big Tech | $200K-$300K TC | $220K-$350K TC | $210K-$320K TC | Equity heavy |
| Unicorn Startup | $160K-$220K | $175K-$240K | $165K-$225K | High equity upside |
| Series A-B Startup | $130K-$165K | $140K-$175K | $135K-$170K | Full Stack preferred |
| Enterprise/Fortune 500 | $125K-$160K | $145K-$190K | $130K-$170K | Backend premium highest |
| Agency/Consultancy | $100K-$140K | $110K-$150K | $105K-$145K | Project variety |
| Small Business | $80K-$110K | $85K-$115K | $82K-$112K | Full Stack valued |
Source: Levels.fyi, Glassdoor 2024
Geographic Salary Variations
Geographic patterns are consistent across frontend and backend, with the same backend premium in each market.
Senior Developer Salary by Metro
| Metro | Frontend | Backend | COL Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco Bay Area | $175,000 | $195,000 | 188 |
| Seattle | $160,000 | $180,000 | 159 |
| New York | $155,000 | $175,000 | 187 |
| Austin | $140,000 | $155,000 | 103 |
| Denver | $135,000 | $150,000 | 112 |
| National Median | $130,000 | $145,000 | 100 |
Source: Glassdoor, BEA Regional Price Parities
Which Should You Learn?
Don't choose based solely on salary. An 8-10% premium is significant but not life-changing—your satisfaction and growth matter more long-term. Consider these factors:
Choosing Your Path
Choose Frontend if you love visual creation
If you're motivated by seeing immediate visual results, care about user experience and design, and enjoy the creative aspects of development, frontend is your path. You'll still earn strong compensation, especially with React/TypeScript.
Choose Backend if you love problem-solving
If you're drawn to algorithms, system design, and complex logic puzzles, backend will be more fulfilling. The salary premium is a bonus, not the reason to choose it.
Choose Full Stack for versatility
If you enjoy both sides and want to build complete applications, full stack offers breadth. Best for startups, freelancing, or founding your own company.
Consider specializing over time
Starting full stack and specializing later is a valid path. You'll have context for both sides, making you a better collaborator regardless of which you choose.
Learn some of both regardless
The best developers understand the full stack even if they specialize. Backend devs who understand frontend constraints (and vice versa) are more effective collaborators.
This analysis combines federal employment data with crowdsourced compensation databases and developer surveys.
Frequently Asked Questions
Continue Your Research
Data Sources and References
Software Developer employment and wage statistics
Salary reports by role and location
Crowdsourced tech compensation data
Annual developer salary and technology trends
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.