How much does a Back-End Developer make in United States?

As of March 01, 2026, the average annual salary for a Back-End Developer in United States is around $98,472, with an hourly rate of $47, according to Salary.com Global Salary IQ data . This number represents the median. The average salary ranges from $92,469 (25th percentile) to $111,454 (75th percentile). A Back-End Developer's salary is shaped by several key factors, including experience level, specific skills, industry differences, company size, and cost-of-living adjustments based on location. Below, we’ll dive deeper into each of these factors to help you understand how they impact compensation.

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Back-End Developer Salaries by Percentile
Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $111,454 $9,288 $2,143 $54
Average $98,472 $8,206 $1,894 $47
25th Percentile $92,469 $7,706 $1,778 $44

Average Salary

25% $92,469 10% $87,003 90% $123,273 75% $111,454 $98,472 50%(Median)
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What is the hourly rate of a Back-End Developer?

$92,469
Average
$98,472/year
$111,454
$7,706
Average
$8,206/month
$9,288
$1,778
Average
$1,894/week
$2,143
$44
Average
$47/hour
$54
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $111,454 $9,288 $2,143 $54
Average $98,472 $8,206 $1,894 $47
25th Percentile $92,469 $7,706 $1,778 $44
Use our Salary Calculator to explore typical earnings for a Back-End Developer, including an hourly rate of $47, weekly pay of $1,894, monthly pay of $8,206, and an annual salary of $98,472. Based on Salary IQ data from real job postings, this tool helps you convert a salary between its hourly, weekly, biweekly, monthly, and annually.

What is the pay difference between an Entry Back-End Developer and an Expert Back-End Developer?

Experience and job level are key drivers of a Back-End Developer's salary. Entry Back-End Developers earn around $96,501, while Intermediate Back-End Developers make $96,680. Senior Back-End Developers see salaries rise to $99,441, and Expert Back-End Developers can earn up to $105,254. These numbers show a clear trend: as experience grows, so does earning potential. This reflects the IT industry's strong value placed on experience level.
Levels Salary
Entry Level Back-End Developer $96,501
Intermediate Level Back-End Developer $96,680
Senior Level Back-End Developer $99,441
Specialist Level Back-End Developer $104,866
Expert Level Back-End Developer $105,254
$96,501 0 yr
$96,680 < 2 yrs
$99,441 2-4 yrs
$104,866 5-8 yrs
$105,254 > 8 yrs
Entry Level 2%
Mid Level 2%
Senior Level 1%
Top Level 6%
Experienced 7%
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What state pays the most for Back-End Developers?

From March 01, 2026, District of Columbia offers the highest Back-End Developer salaries in the United States, ranging from $102,381 to $123,402 followed by California at $101,993 - $122,934. While these states provide top pay for Back-End Developer, high living costs impact earnings. Rhode Island and Hawaii offer competitive salaries with lower expenses, making them attractive options for the role.
Rank State Average Salary
1 District of Columbia $109,029
2 California $108,615
3 Massachusetts $107,168
4 Washington $106,774
5 New Jersey $106,734
6 Alaska $106,596
7 Connecticut $105,237
8 New York $104,686
9 Hawaii $102,923
10 Rhode Island $102,096

What is the highest paying city for Back-End Developers?

The highest-paying cities for Back-End Developers in the USA are primarily concentrated in Silicon Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area, with locations such as Menlo Park, Cupertino, Mountain View, and San Francisco offering some of the most competitive salaries. This is largely due to the presence of tech giants like Google, Apple, Meta, and Tesla, which continuously seek top talent and offer lucrative compensation packages and performance-based bonuses. The average annual salary for Back-End Developers in San Francisco is $122,982.
City Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate
San Jose, CA $124,203 $60
San Francisco, CA $122,982 $59
Oakland, CA $120,254 $58
New York, NY $114,120 $55
Queens Village, NY $113,381 $55
Paramus, NJ $112,593 $54
Passaic, NJ $112,495 $54
Bergenfield, NJ $112,396 $54
Stamford, CT $112,249 $54
Huntington, NY $112,150 $54

Job Openings for Back-End Developers

What is the salary trend for Back-End Developer?

As we look ahead to 2025, the salary trend for Back-End Developers in the US is projected to show a significant upward trajectory. The average salary is expected to reach around $120,000, reflecting a salary increase percentage of approximately 10% from 2023. The median rate for this role will likely align closely with the average, indicating strong demand in the tech industry. Factors driving this growth include the rise of cloud computing and the increasing need for robust server-side solutions. Stay informed to leverage these trends!

Which skills can increase the salary of a Back-End Developer?

For Back-End Developers, key skills that can significantly increase salary include Docker (30% increase, average salary $29,541), Microservices (28% increase, average salary $27,572), and RESTful APIs (22% increase, average salary $21,664). The average salary for these high-demand skills is approximately $26,592. These skills enhance a developer's ability to build scalable, efficient systems, making them more valuable in the job market. The median salary for Back-End Developers with these skills reflects their expertise, leading to higher salary increase percentages and better career opportunities.

Average Back-End Developer Salary by Company Size

Company size significantly impacts the salary of a Back-End Developer. In small companies (1-50 employees), salaries range from $70,000 to $90,000, with a median of $80,000. Medium-sized firms (51-200 employees) offer $80,000 to $110,000, with a median of $95,000. Large companies (201+ employees) typically pay between $100,000 and $130,000, with a median of $115,000.
Top companies for Back-End Developers include Google, Amazon, and Facebook. Google offers a salary range of $120,000 to $180,000, with a median salary of $150,000. Amazon's range is $110,000 to $160,000, with a median of $135,000. Facebook pays between $130,000 and $190,000, averaging $160,000. These companies pay higher due to their competitive tech environments, innovative projects, and the demand for skilled developers.

Does education make a difference in salary for a Back-End Developer?

Education significantly impacts Back-End Developer salaries. Typically, higher education levels, such as a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science or related fields, lead to better job opportunities and higher pay. Certifications in relevant technologies also enhance earning potential. Continuous learning is key in this evolving field.