How to Become a Full Stack Developer in Oregon

First of all, you might be asking, what is a full stack developer? Full stack developers have newly emerged on the scene with vast expertise in many coding languages. Specifically, full stack developers are able to code in languages that were previously the domain of either front-end or back-end developers.

So, what are front-end and back-end coding languages? Front-end languages like HTML, CSS and JAVA code the visual look of a website. For instance, HTML tells a user’s device what each headline should say, while CSS tells what color and font to display. Back-end languages like PYTHON, PHP and MySQL control the invisible, behind-the-scenes functions of the website. These languages communicate with the server and can keep things like product offerings and pricing updated.

Is Licensing Required for Full Stack Developers in Oregon?

No. Web developers in Oregon will not need a license to practice in the field. What you will need is extensive training in many programming languages. A solid portfolio will also help highlight your abilities to potential employers or clients who will want to know if you can perform the job as required.

How do Full Stack Developers Train in Oregon?

Since training for full stack developers requires learning both front-end and back-end programming languages, there are many ways to approach acquiring the proper education. Programs run the gamut from piecing together various courses, each of which teach one program language at a time, to accelerated “boot camp”
style training programs, to advanced graduate degree programs. Knowing your career goals will help you choose the appropriate course for you. A few of the many options in Oregon include:

Blue Mountain Community College offers an Associate in Science in Computer Science as well as Certificates of Completion in Software Development and Data Center Technician.
Chemeketa Community College offers an Associate in Applied Science in Computer Systems and Information Technology, which allows students to create a customized curriculum.
Columbia Gorge Community College offers certificate programs for Web Design Assistant and Web Developer Assistant.
Linfield University offers an undergraduate degree in Computer Information Systems.

How Much do Full Stack Developers Make, and Will Jobs Continue to Grow?

Full stack developers can expect to make stable wages from the start, with entry-level positions paying around $54,000 per year, and average annual salaries falling in at about $78,500. Not included in this dataset are profit sharing and bonuses, which are common in the industry and could considerably boost salaries.

Growth numbers for the career field are also positive, with Projections Central predicting a 13 percent growth for web developers between 2018 and 2028. What does this data mean for job openings? It’s a change of 20,900 jobs over this ten-year period or an average of 15,100 new job openings yearly.

What Kind of Opportunities do Full Stack Developers Have in Oregon?

Full stack developers are currently in high demand in the industry due to their ability to work independently and participate in various projects. In Oregon, some potential employers include Medly, Randstad Technologies, Apple, Amazon and eBay. If working for a large tech company isn’t for you, full stack developers also make excellent freelancers. With companies of all sizes needing web development services these days, you should have no problem finding clients. Whichever you prefer, full stack developers have the potential for a lucrative career.