Hire Full Stack Web Developer

Hiring a full stack developer is important for companies that want to create reliable and dynamic web applications. Understanding the costs associated with hiring a full stack developer is critical for budget planning and project success.

In this article, we’ll look at the wide range of factors that affect the cost of hiring an expert, including:

• level of experience;
• project complexity;
• set of technologies;
• geographical location.

These and additional aspects of costs will help you effectively plan your budget for the tech stack, user interface, web development process, and the level of the specialist you will hire.

Definition of a Full Stack Development

The peculiarity of full stack development is that a single full stack software engineer works on the project. That is, one person develops:

• Server side.
• Front End.
• Design.

 They also deal with DevOps processes such as setting up the working environment, communications, APIs, and tests the application according to all QA canons.

To do this, the expert applies extensive knowledge in object-oriented programming, server-side programming language, search engine optimization, computer science, etc.

As a result, the customer receives a fully completed product. Sometimes full stack developers are hired to support a project or work on it during the active phase of web development.

In the latter case, these specialists can additionally increase the productivity of the team, positively affect the quality of the solution, and teach other participants something.

Importance of Hiring an Experienced Full Stack Developer

From the previous paragraph, it becomes clear that full stack developers are universal workers. However, in reality, their role is much more important for a full stack development project, including:

• Full coverage of project needs. One or more full stack developers can develop a fairly large-scale product, its back end, front end, design, communications, databases, etc.
• Development flexibility. Almost all current and not too critical changes can be made in the shortest possible time, as the developer knows project thoroughly.
• Better results. Since full stack developers focus on one mobile or web development, they focus on the quality of the product.
• Uniform and maintainable code. The program is built in such a manner that it can be quickly updated with the necessary changes, such as new modules, functions, etc.
• Exceptional documentation. The best full stack developers not only develop the product but also document everything they do. That’s why you get detailed and comprehensive project documentation.
• Balanced cost. One or more full stack developers can easily replace a full-fledged team, which leads to savings in the project budget and business in general.

Thus, an experienced full stack developer is potentially capable of performing work that is usually delegated to a full-time staff, which makes a specialist of this class an important asset for a business.

However, hiring full stack developers requires a lot of effort, as such specialists are in demand and quite scarce in the labor market. In fact, this is why their services are often somewhat more expensive, although they are quite justified.

Factors Affecting Cost to Hire Full Stack Developers

To begin with, let’s look at the general trends in pricing expert services. Here are some parameters that impact the cost of hiring a Full Stack Developer:

• More experienced developers regularly earn higher salaries.
• Knowledge of specialized technologies or frameworks can affect pricing.
• The economic situation in the region where a full stack developer lives also impacts the cost of services.
• Complex projects may require a full stack developer with higher level of experience and skills, which will increase the cost of recruiting them.
• Market demand for a full stack developer can impact pricing, for example, when it exceeds supply, or the position itself is in short supply in general.
• Hiring a freelance full stack developer can be more cost-effective than hiring an agency to build your own staff. Usually, agencies typically have higher overheads that are passed on to clients.

However, these are general classifications. Therefore, let’s take a closer look at each of the factors of pricing full stack developer services.

Experience Level

For high-quality full stack development, you need experienced and talented full stack developers. For example, web development requires experts in cloud technologies, designers, and engineers. And the longer the list of project needs, the more advanced full stack developer you will need.

In fact, there is a direct correlation between experience and the cost of services. The more full stack developer knows and can do, the more expensive their help will be.

Yes, you can find a conditional junior and save money, but a senior will develop a better quality product. The compromise is obvious – if you need a balance of price and quality, you should choose the middle option, i.e., a middle full stack developer.

Location

The region of residence and work of a full stack developer has a significant impact on the cost of services. For example, if the economic situation in a certain country is good, the cost of a specialist’s work is also high.

That is why it is customary to divide the regions for hiring a full stack developer into the following:

• USA/Canada/Western Europe. The highest hourly rates for full stack developers are guaranteed. However, the quality of services here is also the highest, so it justifies the price.
• China and Asian countries. Relatively low rates, but mediocre quality of services. There is also a rather large gap between time zones, which causes some difficulties.
• Eastern Europe. Optimal price/quality balance and favorable terms of cooperation. Especially if you hire a full stack developer from Ukraine, Poland, and the Czech Republic.
• India. Perhaps the cheapest region in terms of the cost of services. Sometimes, you can hire a full stack developer here for less than $20/hour. However, problems may arise during the cooperation.
• Other regions. Depending on a particular country, its economy, and its politics, the cost of full stack developer services can be quite different.

In fact, when choosing a region, it’s not really about the cost of services. Rather, it is a matter of risks and challenges, which we will discuss later.

Project Complexity

The cost of cooperation with full stack developers will also vary due to the scope of the project. That is, if you order a relatively small web development product or basic mobile applications, web application, the price of services will be lower.

When it comes to complex and large-scale systems, such as full-fledged ERP, the cost increases significantly. In fact, the same applies to the timeframe for product implementation. For example, developing the same solution in three months will cost more than in six months.

Technology Stack

The cost of hiring a full stack developer will also depend on the tech stack. In particular, this is reflected in the following factors:

• The more complex or problematic the technology stack required for the project, the higher the cost of full stack developer services can be.
• If the technology stack is niche or in high demand, this may affect the cost of full stack developer services, as it may be more difficult to find qualified developers due to a shortage of relevant talent in the labor market.
• Certain technologies have licensing or usage fees or require special, costly tools that may increase the total cost of hiring a full stack developer.
• Certain technology stacks may require ongoing maintenance and support, which may impact the total cost of hiring a full stack developer.
• If a technology package is new to a full stack developer, it may entail additional training and adaptation costs. However, this is an exception rather than a common practice.

There is a classic relationship in this matter: the rarer and more valuable skills a full stack developer has, the higher the cost of hiring them, regardless of the region or other factors.

Industry Demand

The cost of full stack developers’ services will also depend on the industry for which the project is to be implemented. More precisely, it depends on how complex the product implementation is in terms of technology, functions, and compliance with the regulatory requirements of the niche.

For example, for an industry that works with sensitive data, i.e., there are well-defined information security standards, ISO-compliant application architectures, the cost of full stack developer services will be higher.

We will discuss the issue of industries in the context of the use of programming languages, full stack developer skills, and software development features later. For now, let’s compare the average rates of experts in this segment of the world.

Average Cost Analysis to Hire Full Stack Developers

Conducting an analysis of the average cost of hiring a full stack developer is important for companies that want to create reliable digital solutions.

This in-depth check involves estimating the various costs associated with the hiring process, such as:

• salary;
• benefits;
• training;
• onboarding costs.

Knowing the average costs associated with hiring full stack development professionals allows companies to effectively plan their budgets and make intelligent decisions about their talent acquisition programs.

After reading the following points, you’ll be able to understand the remuneration standards of the best full stack developers and the difference between hourly and project-based pay.

Hourly Rates vs. Project-Based Pricing

Hourly rates and project-based pricing are two common ways that service providers, such as full stack developers, get paid for their work. Here’s a comparison of the two cost-effectiveness models:

• Hourly rate:
  • Payment depends on the number of hours worked by the service provider and the hourly rate.
  • Advantages:
    • Flexibility for clients as they only get billed for the actual time spent on the project.
    • It is easier to track and administer the frequency and amount of payments.
    • Suitable for projects whose scope may change over time.
  • Disadvantages:
    • The total cost changes dynamically depending on how many actual hours the contractor works.
    • There are some risks of developers playing unfairly by overstating development time for profit.
• Payment for the project:
  • Clients are asked to pay a flat fee for the entire project, regardless of the time spent by the developer.
  • Advantages:
    • Fixed cost of work.
    • Better efficiency of cooperation with developers.
  • Disadvantages:
    • The cost depends on the service provider’s internal pricing.
    • With a fixed price, it is difficult to maneuver during project development, make changes, and adjust the concept.

An hourly rate may be more attractive for projects with variable requirements, while a project fee works well for a well-defined development scope.

Global Comparison of Full Stack Developer Costs

Full stack development means that the project is created by one full stack developer. This increases the value of the specialist and the cost of work accordingly. However, the latter depends not least on the region of hiring. For example:

• The United States:
  • In the United States, the median annual salary for full stack developers can range from $70,000 to $130,000, depending on experience and state of residence.
  • Hourly rates for full stack developers in the US typically range from $50 to $150 per hour.
• United Kingdom:
  • Full stack developers in the UK earn an average salary of £30,000 to £60,000 per year.
  • Hourly rates for UK full stack developers can vary from £30 to £100.
• Europe:
  • Eastern European countries such as Ukraine, Poland, and Romania offer competitive rates for full stack developers, averaging between $25 and $50 per hour.
  • Western European countries such as Germany and France have higher rates, with full stack developers charged between $50 and $100 per hour.
• Asia:
  • Countries like India and the Philippines have significantly lower rates compared to Western countries, where full stack developers charge between $15 and $40 per hour.
  • Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam and Indonesia also offer cost-effective options with hourly rates between $20 and $50.
• Latin America:
  • In countries such as Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina, full stack developers’ rates range from $20 to $60 per hour.

Accordingly, there are options for hiring this category of specialists available for all types of businesses and budget sizes.

Cost Breakdown by Skill Set to Hire Full Stack Developers

The cost of working with a full stack developer depends, in particular, on the skill set. Here are some average statistics:

• Junior Full Stack Developer. Average annual salary: $60,000 – $80,000.
• Mid-Level Full Stack Developer. Average annual salary: $80,000 – $100,000.
• Senior Full Stack Developer. Average annual salary: $100,000 – $150,000.

The salary data is collected from various sources and primarily relates to the United States. In other regions, such as Asia and Eastern Europe, the corresponding figures are about 20% – 40% lower, which also affects hourly rates, i.e., the cost of hiring specialists.

However, the price of an expert’s work depends not only on these characteristics. It is also worth considering the impact of specialized skills on pricing.

Front End Development in Full Stack Development

The duties of full stack developers are related to the development of the interface, which involves the creation of visual and interactive components of a website or web application that users are able to interact with directly.

Front end developers should have a good understanding of web technologies, know the principles of design, know coding languages such as JavaScript, and have experience with frameworks such as React, Angular, or Vue.js. They also usually work with technologies such as HTML, CSS to build the user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) of a website.

Given these points, the cost of hiring an expert who is well-versed in the front end of a project is often higher than for generalists.

Back End Development in Full Stack Development

A full stack developer should also understand the principles of interaction between the interface and the server side to receive and display data, process user input, and control the logic of the application. The connection between the interface and the server are crucial for the overall functionality of the web application.

Back end developers typically work with technologies such as Node.js, Python, Ruby on Rails, and databases such as MySQL or MongoDB to create server-side web applications. They are responsible for creating APIs, managing databases, implementing security measures, optimizing performance, and ensuring the smooth operation of the server side of the application.

That is why the cost of hiring specialists with a wide range of skills is higher than that of specialists with a specific skill set, as they cover aspects of development that usually require a whole team.

Project Management in Full Stack Development

The cost of full stack developers’ services is also determined by their role in project management, which includes the following items:

• Requirements collection and analysis:
  • Gathering detailed requirements for external and internal functions and client needs.
  • Analysis of the project scope, limitations, and potential risks to create a comprehensive project plan.
• Technology selection:
  • Determining the appropriate technologies for the front end (e.g., HTML, CSS, JavaScript frameworks) and back end (e.g., server-side languages, databases).
  • Consider factors such as reliability, performance, safety, and compatibility.
• Prioritization of tasks and planning:
  • Break the project into lower-level tasks and prioritize them based on dependencies and criticality.
  • Create a project schedule with milestones, deadlines, and checkpoints to track progress.
• Flexible project management:
  • Implement agile methodologies like Scrum or Kanban to manage iterative development cycles.
  • Use tools such as Jira, Trello, or Asana to track tasks, plan sprints, and manage outstanding tasks.
  • Adapting quickly to changes and responding to stakeholder feedback during the development process.
• Quality assurance and testing:
  • Rigorous testing of both external and internal components to ensure functionality, performance, and security.
  • Automated testing where possible to optimize the testing process and improve code quality.
  • User acceptance testing (UAT) to confirm that the application meets user expectations.
• Deployment and maintenance:
  • Planning a deployment strategy that covers both external and internal components.
  • Monitoring the application after deployment for problems, bugs, or performance bottlenecks.
  • Creating a maintenance plan for regular updates, security patches, and feature enhancements.

Accordingly, the cost of a generalist developer is higher than hiring each individual specialist, including a project manager. However, in the end, the project may turn out to be cheaper because one person works on it.

Comparison of Different Models of Hiring Full Stack Developers

When you need a full stack developer, you’ll definitely consider different recruitment options. For example:

• You can hire specialists onsite, directly into the company’s staff. This is an excellent option if you require total control over the development with a minimum of associated risks, however, in terms of costs.
• You can hire freelancers to work on short-term projects, to get quick access to skilled talent, or to scale up your existing team and mitigate certain development issues.
• You can hire the right kind of staff from specialized agencies. For example, you can agree to repatriate a full stack developer to your team or project under certain conditions. In particular, with compensation for their current level of earnings, etc.

However, that’s not all. Let’s compare different recruitment options to determine which one is right for your project.

Freelance vs. In-House Developers

Full stack developers can be either members of your current team or third-party contractors. The latter option is more cost-effective, as you pay only for the work done. However, in return, you do not get the same control that is present in in-house development.

Generalist Full Stack Developers vs. Specialized Developers

A full stack developer is more interesting for a project because performs all types of development independently, covering the entire team. At the same time, sometimes there are situations when you need highly specialized knowledge that only individual developers can provide. However, in the economic context, working with a full stack expert is more profitable.

Full Stack Developer vs. Team of Specialists

Full stack developers are quite capable of replacing a full-time team. However, they are limited in the dynamism of development and its timing. Thus, to create large-scale products, you will still need a multidisciplinary team, or at least several full stack specialists, to speed up development.

Hidden Costs of Hiring Full Stack Developers

The cost of full stack developer services often includes additional fees and commissions, as well as operational expenses. At the same time, they are rarely reflected in the hourly rates for which you hire experts. Let’s see what else you might have to pay if you’re going to hire a developer for your project.

Recruitment Expenses

When you recruit full stack developers through a marketplace like Upstaff, you pay a recruitment fee. Depending on the platform, you may also pay to post a job, recruit candidates, etc. Yes, these are not direct hiring costs, but they are also reflected in your budget.

Maintenance and Support Fees

Full stack development services often include maintenance items for the developed product. For example, if you order the creation of a conditional mobile application, you will most likely be concerned about its maintenance and scaling. And this is exactly what forms an additional estimate that is not taken into account in the initial cost of hiring staff.

Infrastructure and Tools Investment

It is not only the work of full stack developers that you pay for. Especially if you use technologies that are additionally licensed or monetized through commissions, etc., thus, the accompanying tools, frameworks, libraries, and cloud environments can create additional pressure on the budget.

Negotiating Rates

Sometimes, the cost of cooperation with full stack developers in the context of full stack development can be quite high. However, according to the market rules, you can try to reduce it. To do this, you need to conduct an interview and additionally discuss the validity of the rates, project calculations, etc.

Strategies for Negotiating with Full Stack Developers

Before starting negotiations, research the market rates for full stack developers in your (or target) region. This will provide you with a basis for communication about the price of the work. Consider offering a flexible compensation package that includes a combination of salary, bonuses, and intellectual capital. This can incentivize experts to deliver high-quality work at a significantly lower cost than originally quoted.

Contractual Considerations

Usually, full stack developers do not have their own contracting standards. This means that you jointly formulate the terms and conditions of cooperation, which opens up room for certain maneuvers. For example, you can agree to develop an MVP on a simpler tech stack, which will reduce the cost somewhat.

Ensuring Transparency in Pricing

Full stack developer services can be priced according to different models. The one that provides you with the most transparency is the fixed project cost. Under these conditions, you pay for the actual work performed and are not tied to the development time. However, this model also has a negative side, particularly when it comes to product release time, although this point can be specified in the agreement on hiring an expert.

Full Stack Developer Role for Different Projects

Full stack developers are able to cover all the needs of a project on their own or as part of a team. That’s because each expert has:

• A wide range of skills:
  • A Full Stack Developer has both front end and back end knowledge, which allows them to work on all parts of a project.
  • They can interact with different technologies and development stacks to solve various tasks.
• An integrated approach to development:
  • A Full Stack Developer can work independently on all aspects of a project, which makes it easier to coordinate work.
  • They are able to create complete solutions from the initial concept to deployment and support.
• Ability to communicate:
  • Able to interact with different team members, including designers, developers, project managers, etc.
  • Improves communication and understanding between different teams and stakeholders.
• Flexibility and adaptability:
  • Can easily change the direction of work and technologies depending on the needs of the project.
  • Ready to adapt to different types of projects and the challenges they pose.
• A holistic view of the project:
  • With an understanding of both the front end and the back end, the expert can see the project as a whole system, not just individual components.
  • Ensures consistency and interaction between front end and back end.
• Tendency to save money:
  • It can perform a wide range of tasks without the need to involve additional specialists.
  • Provides greater autonomy and responsiveness to project changes.

Please note that these advantages are valid for all types and sizes of businesses that hire experts with the appropriate qualifications.

Startups

Full stack developers will take your project from the Discovery stage to the moment of market launch. This is the best option for launching a business, as it offers high-quality development at a much lower investment.

Small Businesses

Full stack developers are an ideal option for full stack development of relatively small projects. That is, for small businesses that focus on creating and maintaining digital products or working with them, this is the best investment.

Enterprise-Level Projects

A full stack developer alone may not cover all the needs of a large-scale project, but if you build a team of such talents, you will definitely get a high-quality result. Besides, it’s much cheaper than hiring a staff with authentic skills.

E-Commerce Platforms

Full stack developers are able to independently carry out software development or web development of medium-sized stores and storefronts on certain platforms or even marketplaces. However, for the latter, it is still better to provide support from several specialists at once.

Mobile App Development

An expert in this field can independently implement a mobile application or a web development project for your business. If necessary, they can also create a cross-platform application or transfer an existing one to work on other platforms.

Benefits by Industries from Hiring Full Stack Developers

Full stack developers, as a rule, have a lot of experience working with the most relevant industries. Therefore, they can easily implement products for your type of business. This is due to a number of factors inherent in these experts:

• Developers can easily adapt to rapid technological advances, which makes them valuable assets in industries where changes are constant.
• These developers have a wide range of skills, which allows them to work effectively with different aspects of projects.
• Hiring full stack developers can increase a company’s competitiveness in the labor market due to their diverse skill sets.
• Specialists can speed up the development process, leading to timely project completion.
• They have a complete understanding of both front end and back end development, which allows them to have a holistic view of projects.

When it comes to specific industries, full stack developers are the best choice for the following list of niches.

Healthcare

Full stack developers will develop any type of product for you. In particular, a clinic app, a medical platform, a pharmacy app, a health monitoring system, etc. At the same time, they will ensure that the application meets industry standards.

Finance

Full stack developers in full stack development projects for the financial sector can implement products of any type. For example, online banking applications, payment services, blockchain solutions, etc.

Education

The expert implements solutions of any type for your needs. For example, educational platforms, systems for streaming educational programs, digital libraries, etc.

Technology

Full stack developers are not limited in the types of software they develop. So, they can implement projects of literally any type and format that your business needs.

Retail

A dedicated full stack developer can even create a storefront, storefront, marketplace, or other types of resources for commerce, depending on the needs and budget of your business.

Remote vs. Onsite Work

Full stack developers within full stack development can work both on-site, i.e., directly in the office, and remotely. Each of the options is beneficial and effective in its own way. However, remote work is a bit more interesting in terms of flexibility. Therefore, we offer you a brief overview of the advantages and disadvantages of hiring remote specialists.

Pros and Cons of Remote Work

Working with full stack developers in a remote format is like a balanced coin in which both sides compensate each other favorably.

Advantages of remote work:

• Increased productivity.
• Saving money on office rent and equipment purchases.
• Flexible work schedule.
• Better work-life balance.
• Cancellation of daily trips to and from the office.

Disadvantages of remote work:

• Difficult communication processes.
• Lack of access to information, in particular, due to physical absence from the office.
• More difficult cooperation and coordination of processes.

Despite the disadvantages, the remote work model in the context of cooperation with a proficient full stack developer is more profitable than offline. Especially due to the absence of additional costs and almost identical project management capabilities.

Conclusion

Hiring a full stack professional is not a panacea, but it is the best way to develop a digital product on a limited budget. However, if you want to find a truly expert performer and not break the budget, you will have to make an effort.

As for where to find a candidate, it’s definitely Upstaff. Only here you will find the best world-class talent. If you need help, our HRs will select candidates for you, taking into account the needs and budget of your project.