Start Your Back-End Developer Career

Back-end developers are specialists responsible for building and maintaining the behind-the-scenes components of a website, such as data processing, storage, security, and server-side functions. Start your back-end developer career with these resources.

[Featured Image] Young back-end developer with long red hair and glasses looking at two computer screens as they design the server side of a website.

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Back-End Developer Salary: Your 2026 Guide

Learn more about a back-end developer’s salary and the factors that affect earnings, including skills, experience, industry, location, and certifications.

February 20, 2024

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[Featured Image] Three web developers sitting at a table in an open concept office use backend languages to write code on their laptops.

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Why Learn Back-End Languages?

Modern websites need back-end development to maintain a responsive, smooth system that provides users with a positive experience. Explore back-end development, including role types and paths to learning this skill.

November 4, 2024

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[Featured Image] A young web developer sitting in front of a computer and discussing their coding with a coworker.

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How to Become a Web Developer Without a Degree

Learn about how to become a web developer without a degree, including the different types of web development jobs, skill requirements, and steps to follow to reach your career goals.

April 2, 2024

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[Featured image] A software developer in a blue sweater sits at a desk with a laptop, tablet, and a stack of sticky notes.

Software Developer Salary Guide (2026)

Software developers use programming and creative skills to build software. They enjoy problem-solving and working as part of a team.

February 24, 2023

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[Featured Image] A back-end developer in a gray sweatshirt uses their laptop to work on an API with nearby coworkers.

What Is an API? (+ How Do They Work?)

Learn about different types of APIs and how to use them.

December 5, 2022

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[Featured image] A person wearing glasses and a plaid shirt works on code on a desktop.

Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science: A Guide

Learn what it takes to earn a bachelor's degree in computer science, including the coursework and what you can do after earning the degree.

October 31, 2022

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Software Developer Salary Guide (2026)

Software developers use programming and creative skills to build software. They enjoy problem-solving and working as part of a team.

February 24, 2023

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What Is an API? (+ How Do They Work?)

Learn about different types of APIs and how to use them.

December 5, 2022

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Build job-ready skills and earn career credentials with industry leaders in technology

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IBM

IBM JavaScript Backend Developer

Skills you'll gain: Cloud Deployment, Software Development Life Cycle, Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), Containerization, Istio, Software Architecture, Node.JS, Application Deployment, Restful API, Kubernetes, Database Design, Cloud-Native Computing, Responsive Web Design, NoSQL, Git (Version Control System), Ajax, Grafana, Javascript, Azure DevOps, Engineering Software

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IBM

IBM Back-End Development

Skills you'll gain: Cloud Deployment, Software Development Life Cycle, Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), Istio, Linux Commands, Software Architecture, Application Deployment, Kubernetes, NoSQL, Bash (Scripting Language), Restful API, MongoDB, Shell Script, Django (Web Framework), Object-Relational Mapping, Git (Version Control System), Grafana, Microservices, Data Import/Export, Python Programming

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Introduction to Back-End Development

Skills you'll gain: Bootstrap (Front-End Framework), HTML and CSS, User Interface (UI), Front-End Web Development, Responsive Web Design, JavaScript Frameworks, Web Design, Web Development, Web Applications, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Full-Stack Web Development, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Back-End Web Development, React.js

[Featured Image] An entry-level programmer examines code on a computer monitor beside a laptop.

5 Entry-Level Programming Jobs + How to Get One

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[Featured Image] A person in a checkered shirt searches programming languages to learn on their computer.

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June 9, 2022

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[Featured Image] Two blockchain developers look at a computer monitor while talking in an office setting with multiple workstations.

What Is a Blockchain Developer (and How Do I Become One)

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May 20, 2022

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[Featured Image] A web developer sitting at a computer in an office works at an entry-level computer science job.

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[Featured Image] Two iOS app developers work together to refine software for a new app.

What Is an iOS App Developer? A 2026 Guide

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March 30, 2022

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[Featured image] A Javascript developer writes code at their computer.

Java vs. JavaScript: What's the Difference?

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March 30, 2022

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[Featured Image] Two people map out a mobile app design on a whiteboard.

Mobile App Development: Quick Start Guide

Learn about the mobile app development industry and how you can develop your own mobile app with this guide.

March 28, 2022

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[Featured image] A software developer wears headphones and works on her laptop from home.

What Does a Software Developer Do? (And How to Become One)

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October 13, 2021

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[Featured image] Blond person wearing glasses and a blue sweater working in front of a computer at a futuristic computer science lab

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Earning your bachelor's or master's degree in computer science can lead to exciting opportunities across a number of industries.

December 14, 2020

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Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science: A Guide

Learn what it takes to earn a bachelor's degree in computer science, including the coursework and what you can do after earning the degree.

October 31, 2022

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5 Entry-Level Programming Jobs + How to Get One

Learn about skills, education, salary, and how to take your first steps toward a career in computer programming.

June 27, 2022

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What Programming Language Should I Learn?

Figure out which programming language is best for you to learn based on your goals.

June 9, 2022

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What Is a Blockchain Developer (and How Do I Become One)

Learn about the fundamentals of blockchain development, relevant skills, and technical FAQs.

May 20, 2022

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Top 5 Entry-Level Computer Science Jobs + How to Get One

Learn how to enter the computer science industry with or without prior experience.

April 18, 2022

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What Is an iOS App Developer? A 2026 Guide

Learn what an iOS developer does and how you can succeed in this rapidly growing field.

March 30, 2022

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Java vs. JavaScript: What's the Difference?

It’s important to know the difference between Java and JavaScript, two popular programming languages. Read on to explore the differences, uses, and pros and cons of both.

March 30, 2022

Article

Mobile App Development: Quick Start Guide

Learn about the mobile app development industry and how you can develop your own mobile app with this guide.

March 28, 2022

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What Does a Software Developer Do? (And How to Become One)

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October 13, 2021

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What Can You Do With a Computer Science Degree? 10 In-Demand Fields

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As an entry-level back-end developer, you’ll practice writing code under the direction of experienced developers using popular programming languages such as Python, JavaScript, Ruby, or HTML/CSS. You’ll collaborate with front-end developers, product managers, and QA testers to structure websites or mobile applications to ensure they run smoothly and responsively. Browse our free resources as you start your back-end developer career:

Learn the lingo: Web Development Terms: A to Z Glossary

Find your path: Web Development Career Paths: Explore Roles & Specialization

Watch on YouTube: Career Spotlight: Web Developer

Ready to start learning? Explore our catalog of back-end development courses or accelerate your career growth with a Coursera Plus subscription. When you enroll in either the monthly or annual option, you’ll get access to over 10,000 courses.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Choosing the right front end course depends on your current skill level and career aspirations. Beginners should look for courses that cover the basics of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, as well as introductory web design principles. Those with some experience might benefit from intermediate courses focusing on responsive design, web accessibility, and using front-end frameworks like React or Angular. Advanced learners or professionals seeking specialized knowledge might consider courses on advanced JavaScript techniques, performance optimization, or preparing for roles in front-end development and UI/UX design. Reviewing course content, instructor expertise, and learner feedback can help ensure the course aligns with your goals.‎

There are many paths you can take to become a back-end developer. Whether you are a recent graduate or hoping to switch careers, it's important to assess what transferable skills you already have and consider building the new skills needed to pursue a back-end developer role. Back-end developer technical skills include programming, frameworks, and databases. Workplace skills include communication and problem-solving.

Read more: What Does a Back-End Developer Do?‎

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*US Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Outlook Handbook: Computer and Information Technology Occupations, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/home.htm.” Accessed February 2, 2024.