Start Your Back-End Developer Career

Jobs in computer and information technology experience above average growth rates and salaries*. Here, you’ll find the resources you need to jumpstart your back-end development career.

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[Featured Image] A back-end developer in a blue shirt and blazer works on a laptop in an open office space.
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What Does a Back-End Developer Do?

A back-end developer writes code that forms the backbone of a website or app. Learn more about this career and how you can get started.

March 23, 2022

Article

[Featured image] A woman applying for a back-end developer job shakes hands with a hiring manager standing next to a desk in a brightly lit office.
Status: Featured

4 Common Back-End Developer Interview Questions

Plan ahead and be prepared with this back-end developer interview question guide.

January 21, 2022

Article

[Feature Image] A man works at a desktop computer.
Status: Featured

Front-End vs. Back-End Developer: Understanding the Differences

There are three primary types of software development: front-end, back-end, and full-stack. Compare and contrast them in this guide.

March 30, 2022

Article

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

Software Developer Salary Guide (2025)

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

February 24, 2023

Article

[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

Article

[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

Article

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

Software Developer Salary Guide (2025)

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

February 24, 2023

Article

[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

Article

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

IBM

Skills you'll gain: Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), Istio, Software Development Life Cycle, Linux Commands, Unit Testing, Application Deployment, Kubernetes, NoSQL, Bash (Scripting Language), MongoDB, Shell Script, Django (Web Framework), Object-Relational Mapping, OpenShift, Git (Version Control System), Cloud Applications, Containerization, GitHub, Jupyter, Grafana

4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
47K reviews

Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

Meta

Skills you'll gain: Django (Web Framework), Full-Stack Web Development, Version Control, Restful API, Data Structures, Unix Commands, Bootstrap (Front-End Framework), Git (Version Control System), Back-End Web Development, GitHub, Relational Databases, Front-End Web Development, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Database Management Systems, SQL, Database Design, HTML and CSS, Unit Testing, Algorithms, Web Development

Build toward a degree

4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
9K reviews

Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

IBM

Skills you'll gain: Istio, Node.JS, Software Development Life Cycle, Containerization, Server Side, MongoDB, Application Deployment, Kubernetes, Cloud-Native Computing, NoSQL, Restful API, OpenShift, Git (Version Control System), Cloud Applications, GitHub, Serverless Computing, Back-End Web Development, HTML and CSS, Ajax, Interviewing Skills

4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
6.2K reviews

Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

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

5 Entry-Level Programming Jobs + How to Get One

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

June 27, 2022

Article

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

What Programming Language Should I Learn?

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

June 9, 2022

Article

[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)?

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

May 20, 2022

Article

[Featured Image] A professional browses entry-level computer science jobs on the computer.

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

Article

[Featured Image] A woman works at a desk.

What Is an iOS App Developer? A 2025 Guide

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

March 30, 2022

Article

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

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

[Featured Image] A man and woman 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

Article

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

What Does a Software Developer Do? Career Overview + Outlook

Use this guide to find out more about software development careers, including salaries, key skills, and more.

October 13, 2021

Article

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

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

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

December 14, 2020

Article

[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

Article

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

5 Entry-Level Programming Jobs + How to Get One

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

June 27, 2022

Article

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

What Programming Language Should I Learn?

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

June 9, 2022

Article

[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)?

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

May 20, 2022

Article

[Featured Image] A professional browses entry-level computer science jobs on the computer.

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

Article

[Featured Image] A woman works at a desk.

What Is an iOS App Developer? A 2025 Guide

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

March 30, 2022

Article

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

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

[Featured Image] A man and woman 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

Article

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

What Does a Software Developer Do? Career Overview + Outlook

Use this guide to find out more about software development careers, including salaries, key skills, and more.

October 13, 2021

Article

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

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

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

December 14, 2020

Article

Also known as server-side development, back-end development focuses on the architectural components that users cannot see. This part of a website or application includes data storage, cybersecurity measures, application programming interfaces (APIs), and servers. 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. Learn more about how to prepare for an entry-level back-end developer role and how Coursera can help:

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

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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.