How to Become a Full Stack Developer in Iowa

If you’re interested in a career in web development, becoming a full stack developer is an option available to you. This type of developer has a lot of demand and value because of dual knowledge in both the front and back ends of building a website. This means they work on the visible and behind-the-scenes parts of a website. The role can also develop web applications.

Full stack developers tend to have broad knowledge in many coding and programming languages, yet they may also specialize in specific ones. As a resident of Iowa, you could have a lot of opportunity in the field of full stack development, whether you work for an employer or for yourself.

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Requirements for Becoming a Full Stack Developer in Iowa

The full stack developer profession is not one that’s regulated in Iowa or the rest of the country. This means there are no specific training programs, degrees or licensing you need to complete to work in this profession. Instead, you can get started by having a sufficient grasp of computer coding and programming languages. To be a full stack developer, you need proficiency in front-end languages such as HTML, CSS and JavaScript and in back-end languages such as PHP, Python and .Net.

Training Courses and Educational Programs in Iowa

Training courses available in Iowa include:

  • Iowa Valley Continuing Education: This is an online program that covers 600 course hours in 18 months. It teaches full stack software development, so it covers both front- and back-end information in one course, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python and Flask. There are no prerequisites to get started.
  • DeltaV: In Cedar Rapids, you can take the course Code 401, which teaches full stack development. Code 201 and Code 301 are prerequisites for the Code 401 course, but people with a mastery of the concepts can test out of them. (Code 101 is optional but recommended for complete beginners.)
  • Certstaffix: You have the choice of training in Iowa City or online. A variety of courses are available in different web languages, which you can combine to give you the knowledge and skills needed for full stack development.

Salary Expectations and Career Outlook

In Des Moines, Iowa, an average full stack developer salary is $99,502 per year, according to Indeed.com as of July 2020. The salary range is commensurate with experience, as someone just starting in the area makes about $82,000, while someone with three to five years of experience could make about $120,000 annually. Also, the skills and knowledge you have in the field and the employer could impact your rate of pay.

When looking for job outlook data, this position could fall under web developer or software developer. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects high job growth in both fields in the period from 2018 to 2028, with a projection of 13 percent for web developers and 21 percent for software developers.

Working as a Full Stack Developer in Iowa

In Iowa, you could potentially work as a full stack developer in a range of industries that rely on websites and web applications. Top employers of software and web developers are found in the computer systems design and related services industry, according to the BLS. Other hirers are found in software publishing, finance and insurance, manufacturing, management services and advertising. With an Internet-based field like this, you have the option to work remotely, whether for an employer or in a self-employed capacity working for freelance clients.

Learning the skills of a full stack developer can give you a strong and growing field in which to work. This is an in-demand occupation with good pay across the country, including in Iowa.