Back-End Developer Hourly Rate (2024)

Back-End Developer Hourly Rate Distribution

Average Back-End Developer Hourly Rate:

$61-80

Median Back-End Developer Hourly Rate:

$61-80

Back-End Development & Hiring

Backend refers to the data access layer of a piece of software, its hardware, or its physical infrastructure. Typically, the backend handles business logic and data storage, while the front-end provides a user-friendly interface — in other words, the backend is what goes on "under the hood". In Stack Overflow’s 2018 survey, about 57.9 percent of developers identified as backend developers, 37.8 percent as front-end developers, and 48.2 percent as full-stack developers. Globally, backend developer hourly rates range from $61-80. See also: front-end developer hourly rates and full-stack developer hourly rates for a comparison.

For Back-End jobs, a developer may charge differently based on the expected duration of your job. Back-End developers may charge a higher rate for short-term contracts or freelancing roles, while they may charge less in exchange for more work flexibility (e.g. remote) and benefits.

Learn more about our data

How to negotiate Back-End developer hourly rates?

Whether you already have a development team or want to build a new one, hiring a skilled freelance Back-End developer can help accelerate your projects. The key factor when considering a freelance Back-End developer is your budget – how much you have and how much you're willing to invest. The hourly rates of Back-End developers can vary based on their location and your project's scope.

Let's begin with location. Hiring remote developers offers the advantage of choosing from various geographic locations and time zones that align with your project requirements. For instance, if most of your development team is based in North America, you might want to explore freelance Back-End developers in the United States, Canada, or Mexico for better worktime overlap. On the other hand, if you're on a tighter budget, consider working with freelance Back-End developers in South American countries like Argentina, Brazil, or Colombia, or in Asian countries like India, the Philippines, and Malaysia. Hiring freelance developers outside North America often allows for negotiation of lower Back-End developer hourly rates.

Another significant factor influencing the Back-End developer hourly rate is your project's scope. Typically, more complex projects mean higher overall costs. However, if you plan to engage with your freelance developer for an extended period, you can discuss a reduced Back-End developer hourly rate. Providing freelance developers with a consistent flow of projects incentivizes them to lower their hourly rates.

To accurately determine the total cost, have a detailed discussion about your project with your freelance developer. Ensure you convey your ideas comprehensively, which will enable your freelance developer to provide a precise Back-End developer hourly rate estimate. While estimating development timelines can be challenging for lengthy coding projects, offering the developer as much detail as possible will help align the estimate closely with the actual cost.