Backend Developer
Designs and maintains server-side applications, APIs, and databases. Ensures scalability, security, and reliability of backend systems.
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Key Skills
Salary by Country
| Country | Median (USD) | Net (USD) | PPP Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇨🇭 Suisse | $120 750,00 | $94 185,00 | $100 625,00 |
| 🇺🇸 États-Unis | $115 000,00 | $82 800,00 | $115 000,00 |
| 🇬🇧 Royaume-Uni | $92 000,00 | $64 399,00 | $122 666,00 |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | $89 700,00 | $62 789,00 | $119 600,00 |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | $89 700,00 | $62 789,00 | $119 600,00 |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | $86 250,00 | $54 337,00 | $118 150,00 |
| 🇳🇴 Norway | $86 250,00 | $57 787,00 | $86 250,00 |
| 🇮🇪 Ireland | $86 250,00 | $62 100,00 | $107 812,00 |
| 🇩🇰 Denmark | $82 800,00 | $51 336,00 | $99 759,00 |
| 🇩🇪 Allemagne | $82 800,00 | $53 820,00 | $127 384,00 |
| 🇮🇱 Israel | $82 800,00 | $57 959,00 | $100 975,00 |
| 🇸🇬 Singapore | $82 800,00 | $70 380,00 | $97 411,00 |
| 🇧🇪 Belgium | $78 200,00 | $46 920,00 | $110 140,00 |
| 🇸🇪 Sweden | $78 200,00 | $50 830,00 | $107 123,00 |
| 🇭🇰 Hong Kong | $74 750,00 | $65 780,00 | $93 437,00 |
| 🇦🇹 Austria | $74 750,00 | $50 082,00 | $103 819,00 |
| 🇫🇷 France | $74 750,00 | $48 587,00 | $106 785,00 |
| 🇳🇿 New Zealand | $74 750,00 | $56 062,00 | $109 926,00 |
| 🇫🇮 Finland | $71 300,00 | $47 770,00 | $97 671,00 |
| 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | $69 000,00 | $65 550,00 | $106 153,00 |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | $63 250,00 | $47 437,00 | $105 416,00 |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | $59 800,00 | $40 065,00 | $99 666,00 |
| 🇰🇷 South Korea | $57 500,00 | $44 850,00 | $99 137,00 |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | $51 750,00 | $36 225,00 | $99 519,00 |
| 🇹🇼 Taiwan | $43 700,00 | $35 834,00 | $91 041,00 |
| 🇵🇹 Portugal | $40 250,00 | $28 980,00 | $89 444,00 |
| 🇨🇿 Czech Republic | $36 800,00 | $28 336,00 | $87 619,00 |
| 🇨🇳 China | $34 500,00 | $26 910,00 | $98 571,00 |
| 🇵🇱 Poland | $34 500,00 | $25 875,00 | $90 789,00 |
| 🇲🇽 Mexico | $28 750,00 | $23 000,00 | $82 142,00 |
| 🇧🇷 Brésil | $25 300,00 | $19 734,00 | $79 062,00 |
| 🇮🇳 Inde | $20 700,00 | $16 560,00 | $94 090,00 |
| 🇹🇭 Thailand | $17 250,00 | $14 662,00 | $57 500,00 |
| 🇻🇳 Vietnam | $13 800,00 | $11 316,00 | $55 200,00 |
| 🇮🇩 Indonesia | $13 800,00 | $11 730,00 | $55 200,00 |
| 🇵🇭 Philippines | $12 650,00 | $10 373,00 | $52 708,00 |
Career Path
Backend developers begin by building APIs, writing database queries, and maintaining server-side logic. Junior backend developers learn about RESTful API design, relational database modeling, authentication flows, and basic deployment processes.
Mid-level backend developers design database schemas, implement caching strategies, and build integrations with third-party services. They handle concerns like data validation, error handling, rate limiting, and logging. They begin to consider non-functional requirements such as scalability, reliability, and observability.
Senior backend developers architect services that handle millions of requests, design distributed systems, and make technology selection decisions. They lead database migration strategies, implement event-driven architectures, and ensure data consistency across microservices. They mentor junior developers and set technical standards for the team.
Staff-level backend engineers work across multiple teams to define platform architecture, establish API standards, and build shared infrastructure like service meshes, observability platforms, and deployment pipelines. They drive strategic decisions about technology adoption and technical debt reduction.
Backend developers can specialize in areas like database engineering, distributed systems, API platform development, or security engineering. The path to management is also well-established, with many engineering managers having a backend development background.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Backend Developer do?
Designs and maintains server-side applications, APIs, and databases. Ensures scalability, security, and reliability of backend systems.
How much does a Backend Developer earn?
Median Backend Developer salaries range from about $12,650 to $120,750 USD depending on country. See the full breakdown below.
How do Backend Developer salaries compare by country?
This page compares median and net Backend Developer salaries across countries — see the detailed table below.