How to Become a Full Stack Developer in Washington State

Web developers traditionally work in two different areas: front-end development and back-end development. Front-end developers use coding languages such as HTML, CSS and JavaScript to create the visible parts of the website, while back-end developers use languages like PHP, RUBY and PYTHON to communicate with the server, allowing the website to request content and make continuous updates. Full stack developers, who work with both front-end and back-end programming languages, are the jacks-of-all-trades of the web development world.

This newly emerging career path is a versatile option, allowing those with knowledge of multiple programming languages to advance their careers in new directions. Full stack developers are especially sought after by big tech companies that value multi-functionality. Those who wish to work independently will also benefit from having the ability to program in both front-end and back-end programming languages.

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Licensing and Requirements in Washington

There are very few regulations to follow to become a full stack developer in Washington, as there is no legal requirement for licensing within the state. In fact, Washington does not oversee web developers on a statewide level in any way. Educational requirements are set by employers, who value end results more than certifications and will hire those who can show an ability to work with the appropriate languages and build a visually pleasing and functional website.

Training Options for Full Stack Web Developers in Washington

There are many options and training levels for those looking to start a career as a full stack developer, from masters-level education to basic training and boot camp-style courses, with or without certificates. When searching for a training course, it will be essential to remember that training for full stack developers will involve both front-end and back-end programming. It may be necessary to begin training in one discipline or the other while rounding out the training in other areas upon completion. In Washington, online and boot camp-style training is popular and readily available, along with some in-person options at local universities including:

Washington Salaries and Career Growth

Washington is the land of opportunity for web developers, as it is the leading state for salaries and among the top five for employment in the nation, according to data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In Washington, the BLS cites a cluster of tech activity in the Seattle, Tacoma and Bellevue areas of the state, with more jobs, higher pay and greater opportunity. Nationwide, full stack developers can expect to make between $54,000 and $115,000 annually, with a projected career growth of 13 percent between 2018 and 2028.

Washington Opportunities for Full Stack Developers

With big tech companies like Amazon, Tableau, Porch, Expedia, Sap Concur and Microsoft calling Washington home, it’s no surprise that full stack developers can find great success in the state. Other companies hiring full stack developers in Washington include Randstat USA, Volt, University of Washington, Apple, Grist, Costco and CyberCoders.

If you would prefer not to work for a large tech corporation, a career as a full stack developer is full of potential for home business ownership. With the ability to code a website from start to finish, you could work for yourself with little overhead and no need to hire additional coders to complete the work. Whatever your goals for employment, this is a great career choice with myriad options.