Back-End Web Developer with Django Salary in 2024
How statistics are calculated
We count how many offers each candidate received and for what salary. For example, if a Back-End Web developer with Django with a salary of $4,500 received 10 offers, then we would count him 10 times. If there were no offers, then he would not get into the statistics either.
The graph column is the total number of offers. This is not the number of vacancies, but an indicator of the level of demand. The more offers there are, the more companies try to hire such a specialist. 5k+ includes candidates with salaries >= $5,000 and < $5,500.
Median Salary Expectation – the weighted average of the market offer in the selected specialization, that is, the most frequent job offers for the selected specialization received by candidates. We do not count accepted or rejected offers.
Trending Back-End Web tech & tools in 2024
Back-End Web
What does a back-end developer do?
A back-end developer is in the back end of a more or less invisible system of unseen work, but vital all the same to web development. Back-end developers make sure the website or application works how it should. They have to deal with servers, databases, and application logic. They develop systems and processes. They maintain databases. They deal with bugs. They interface with APIs. They make security systems work correctly.
Specifics differ from firm to firm, but on the back end a back-end developer might oversee some, most, or all of the following:
- Developing the systems and processes to meet the application’s specified requirements
- Maintaining databases, including data storage and retrieval, organization, backups, and security
- Finding and fixing bugs in the back-end code
- Managing any APIs the company uses to integrate applications, both externally and internally
- Conducting performance optimization to increase efficiency and improve the user experience
- Building and managing libraries of code for reuse by developers across the business
- Helping develop the overall architecture of the application’s back-end
- Securing the application from cyberattacks
Back-end developers also work together with front-end developers to transform their function into user-facing content in the app interface. Back-end developers often deal with managers, architects, designers, researchers, IT security and so many others to make web applications work.
In the end, front-end developers aim to make the interface fun, playful, and interactive while back-end teams build up the invisible structures that power the front-end.
Back-end Developer Skills
Ok, so we now know what a back-end developer does (mostly). But what does she need to know in order to do it? In this part, we’ll be looking at the primary skills to look for if you’re hiring a back-end developer, or if you’re hell-bent on becoming one.
Programming Languages
Web developers use a multitude of languages to build the servers, databases, and application logic on servers. Here is the list:
Python
Python is a general-purpose programming language, commonly used for building the non-public, or ‘back-end’, part of software programs and web applications currently charging you for breakfast, dinner, or that retro toy you ordered on a whim on a marketplace site last night. It is a powerful language that is enjoyable to write in, and able to operate well for any purpose you throw at it. Every back-end programmer should at least have a basic level of knowledge about it.
Java
Java, another general-purpose language, is often used in the back-end of application development for the same reason. It’s deployable across many environments and flexible enough to power very large, complex, high-performance software projects.
PHP
PHP is a so-called server-side programming language – this basically means, you create a website using PHP which dynamically loads content at the demand of the user (or the browser requesting the page). PHP dynamically builds the page on the server from content of housed databases. The opposite of this is a static website – which means you create a website, and it’s stored completely on the servers and therefore presented exactly the same to all visitors – even if, in PHP, the display can be different.
Other Languages
True, there are many other programming languages that back-end developers might prefer. There’s Ruby, a high-level language that allows one to build both web and mobile applications in a quick and effective manner, there’s C, a lower-level language (and the most popular language in the world), and there’s .NET, a framework provided by Microsoft to build websites and web apps.
Furthermore, a back-end developer might write code in SQL (Structured Query Language) or JSON (JavaScript Object Notation), programming languages that are geared towards database management.
Front-End Languages
Although it’s often the case that the back-end developer works almost exclusively on the server-side in a language like PHP or Java, some basic knowledge of front-end languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript will still come in handy when you work on a web-based project. In general, there are three technical languages that you learn on the front end:
- HTML (HyperText Markup Language): Codes content (text and links) and structure of a web page. All web pages are built with HTML, and its file names always end in .html.
- CSS (Cascading Style Sheets): Because Cascading Style Sheets are a programming language that describes how pages should look – without it, the web would be filled mostly with seas of block text and images with no layout or style. CSS is also the reason that web page content adapts to fit different browser sizes and devices.
- JavaScript: Often abbreviated as JS, developers use it to change animations, dynamically update page content, and on websites run scripts without having to ask the back-end.
These languages will make it easier for you to work with front-end developers and designers and, if there is a bug that uses both front-end and back-end resources, it will help you to diagnose it faster. They are also good skills to learn in general, especially if you want to learn design or become a full-stack developer.
Database Management
Moving data in or out of the application database, a significant part of the back-end developer’s work, comes under the scope of modern database technologies.
Databases can be divided into two types: relational databases and non-relational databases. Relational databases store related data points like a customer such as name, and email or account ID. Relational Databases are data arranged in a tabular manner with relata in the same row and the language used to interact with it is SQL.
Then, in contrast to relational databases, non-relational databases (or NoSQL databases) don’t typically store data points based on their relatedness (though they might relate the data nonetheless). Instead of rows in tables, non-relational databases store their information in Extensible Markup Language (XML) and/or JavaScript Object Notation (JSON). Useful knowledge about NoSQL database programmes, such as Redis and MongoDB, can go hand-in-hand with SQL on the back-end.
Server-Side Software
Back-end developers get process versions in server systems. You should be familiar with standard server software such as Apache, Nginx, Microsoft IIS, and Linux-based operating systems. You should know how web servers receive and handle requests for web pages on websites, how they store the data they get, and the basics of keeping them scalable and safe.
APIs
An API – an application programming interface – is a set of definitions and protocols that allows two applications (or pieces of software) to talk to and share data with each other. An API goes out and listens for incoming requests from another application, and then responds by carrying out that request (which could be requesting or modifying some chunk of data in the database of the other app). Every time you see one piece of software reused in another, APIs made it possible. Apps such as Facebook, YouTube, Google and Spotify make tons of their data available through public APIs.
There are plenty of APIs in existence today, the most prominent of which are REST APIs. If you want to be a web developer, you’ll need to have a working knowledge of REST APIs (and possibly SOAP ones), a technology that ties together not only different applications owned by different vendors, but also individual back-end services.
Data Structures and Algorithms
In contrast to other, more concrete technologies that will be discussed below, data structures and algorithms are highly conceptual but still incredibly important. A competent back-end developer must have a decent understanding of these areas to perform his or her job, which is why they appear in the academic curriculum of computer science.
Making a picture in the mind: a data structure is a pattern we use in a computer to organise data. The above examples were arrays, linked lists, trees, and tries; hash tables, heaps, stacks, and queues – the back-end developer will run into most or all of these at some point in their career.
Broadly, an algorithm is a defined process to solve a problem. Every back-end developer is familiar with the foundational algorithms of computer software: you’ll use some form of sorting algorithm; you’ll write some kind of search algorithm for searching texts or databases; you’ll parse and compare strings; you’ll hash stuff to make comparisons between string lengths easier; you’ll use recursive algorithms, or code that’s essentially a textual expression of how a function repeats itself.
Other Important Skills
There is also much more that you can learn in the domain of back-end programming than just those core skills, as listed above. Here are some more skills that you will find useful as a back-end programmer:
- Experience with a version control system — likely Git, as well as familiarity with GitHub
- Knowledge of orexperience with server management
- Communication skills, and an ability to explain complex technical topics to non-experts
- Time management skills, as you’ll likely be balancing several responsibilities at once
- Understanding of cloud computing and hosting
- Understanding web accessibility best practices
- Understanding cybersecurity best practices
Where is Django used?
Riding the Web Waves at Instagram
- Capable of handling millions of selfie aficionados, Django streamlines all those fancy filters and keeps your feed fresher than a cucumber in a hipster's gin.
Streamlining Space with NASA
- Even rocket scientists need web management. Django offers NASA the tools to keep their extraterrestrial errands and Earthly affairs equally streamlined.
Moving Mountains of Words on Disqus
- The web's top talkfest platform uses Django to handle the Herculean task of chattering crowds, managing millions of messages without breaking a virtual sweat.
Serving Hot Deals on Pinterest
- This digital pinboard uses Django to wrangle vast vaults of user-generated visions, keeping trendsetters tightly tuned to the latest in loafers and lasagna recipes.
Django Alternatives
Flask
Flask is a lightweight WSGI web application framework. It’s designed to make getting started quick and easy, with the ability to scale up to complex applications.
Example: Building a simple REST API
from flask import Flask
app = Flask(__name__)
@app.route('/')
def hello_world():
return 'Hello, World!'
if __name__ == '__main__':
app.run()
- Minimalist without sacrificing flexibility
- Easier to understand for beginners
- Less opinionated framework structure
- Requires more manual setup for full projects
- Less out-of-the-box functionality compared to Django
- May require more third-party libraries for large-scale applications
Ruby on Rails
Ruby on Rails, or Rails, is a server-side web application development framework written in Ruby. It promotes convention over configuration, donut it has a strong emphasis on software engineering patterns and paradigms, such as DRY (Don't Repeat Yourself) and MVC (Model-View-Controller).
Example: Creating a new Rails project
rails new blog
cd blog
rails server
- Rich ecosystem and an abundance of plugins
- Principles like Convention over Configuration and DRY development
- Good for rapid development
- Ruby language can be a barrier for Python developers
- Can be seen as bulky for smaller applications
- Performance may be slower compared to Node.js frameworks
Express.js
Express.js is a fast, unopinionated, minimalist web framework for Node.js. It’s great for building APIs and web applications and the extensive use of JavaScript for both front and back end.
Example: Setting up an Express server
const express = require('express')
const app = express()
app.get('/', (req, res) => {
res.send('Hello World!')
})
app.listen(3000)
- Ultra-fast I/O due to Node.js
- Huge number of packages available via npm
- Flexible and supports full-stack JavaScript
- May require more code for simple tasks compared to Django
- Error handling can be cumbersome
- Callback structure can lead to deeply nested code (callback hell)
Quick Facts about Django
Django: The Web Framework for Perfectionists with Deadlines
Once upon a time in 2005, a web framework named Django waltzed into the tech party. Authored by a couple of adrenaline-seeking web developers, Adrian Holovaty and Simon Willison, Django was born out of the newsroom hustle-bustle, with a mission to simplify the web development process. Admired for its "batteries-included" approach, Django doesn't believe in trips to the software store—everything's included!
Django Under the Hood: From Genuine ORM to MTV Magic
Forget the MTV cranking out music videos, because in Django land, MTV stands for Model-Template-View! Strutting down the web catwalk since its inception, this architecture pattern is the secret sauce keeping your applications neatly compartmentalized. And let's give a standing ovation to Django’s ORM—Object-Relational Mapper—that plays matchmaker between your data models and database, withouthaving to write SQL by candlelight.
# Let's craft a Django model, ORM magic in action!
class Band(models.Model):
name = models.CharField(max_length=100)
genre = models.CharField(max_length=100)
# Making queries is just this simple: Abracadabra!
zeppelin = Band.objects.create(name='Led Zeppelin', genre='Rock')
Django Time Travel: From Humble Beginnings to Asynchronous Champion
Step aboard the Django DeLorean! Back in the early 2000s, the world was a much simpler place, and web apps were mostly synchronous. But as time whizzed by, Django kept pace with the changing web landscape. In recent years with version 3.1, it pulled a rabbit out of a hat and introduced async views and middleware, making it a go-to for the modern web sorcerer juggling high-traffic, real-time applications.
# A glimpse into the future with async views!
async def my_amazing_view(request):
data = await get_some_magic_data()
return HttpResponse(data)
What is the difference between Junior, Middle, Senior and Expert Django developer?
| Seniority Name | Years of Experience | Average Salary (USD/year) | Responsibilities & Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior Developer | 0-2 | 50,000 - 70,000 |
|
| Middle Developer | 2-5 | 70,000 - 100,000 |
|
| Senior Developer | 5+ | 100,000 - 140,000 |
|
| Expert/Team Lead | 8+ | 140,000+ |
|
Top 10 Django Related Tech
Python
Oh, Python, the slithery backbone of Django! This language is like the cool multi-tool gadget every coder should have in their digital belt. It’s praised for readability, which means you can write your code in almost-English and still impress your non-techie friends. Python is the bread to Django's butter, ensuring developers have a fun time coding instead of pulling their hair out.
Django Framework
Welcome to the Django-verse! This high-level framework zips through web development like a cheetah on a skateboard - fast, elegant, and with style. With its "batteries-included" philosophy, you get a built-in admin, ORM, and migration system that's ready to roll right out of the box. Plus, it’s called “Django” – which automatically ups your coolness factor by like, 200%.
Django REST Framework
APIs are the secret sauce of the web, and Django REST Framework (DRF) is the sous-chef turning your database models into tasty JSON snacks for your frontend feast. DRF comes with all sorts of nifty tools to create APIs that can be gobbled up by any frontend framework that can handle JSON (so, like, all of them).
HTML/CSS/JavaScript
Behold, the holy trinity of web development! HTML is your webpage's skeleton, CSS is the skin and wardrobe making it pretty, and JavaScript is the nervous system making it tick and tock. You can think of them as your party squad; bring them to any project, and they’ll make sure it's lit.
Git
Imagine a world where you never save more than one version of your file–“final_FINAL_reallythisone(1).py” doesn't exist. That’s what Git does for you. It's the time machine for your code that lets you branch into parallel universes and merge them without tearing the fabric of space-time. Don't code without it, or you'll be living on the edge (of disaster).
PostgreSQL
This is the go-to relational database for Django devs who crave more robustness than what SQLite can offer. PostgreSQL is like an elephant (its logo, duh) because it's powerful, reliable, and has a long memory for data storage. It's the database that says, "I gotchu, buddy," no matter how complex your data relationships get.
Redis
Though not exclusive to Django, using Redis is like having nitrous for your web app. It's an in-memory data structure store that can be used as a database, cache, and message broker. Fire up Redis when you need to make your app go “vroom vroom” with lightning-fast data access.
# Connect to Redis
import redis
r = redis.Redis()
# Set a key
r.set('foo', 'bar')
# Retrieve the key
r.get('foo')
NGINX or Apache
Ponder the web server as the bouncer at the nightclub of your web app; NGINX and Apache are two of the best in the business. They manage traffic like a champ, ensuring your app can serve a conga line of requests without breaking a sweat. Opt for NGINX if you fancy performance and reverse proxy coolness or Apache for robustness and .htaccess wizardry.
Celery
In the vegetable world, celery is a crunchy snack, but in Django-land, it's an asynchronous task queue/daemon that munches on long-running jobs. Want to send out a batch of emails without making your users wait until they grow old? Get Celery to do the heavy lifting in the background.
Docker
Think of Docker as the Lego blocks of software deployment. It packages up your app and all its dependencies into a neat container so that it works seamlessly across any system. No more "but it works on my machine" excuses! Docker is like a genie that grants wishes for consistent development environments and smooth deployments.
# To pull the official Django image from Docker Hub
docker pull django
# To run a Django project container
docker run --name some-django-app -d django