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Backend Development roadmap

You program what happens behind the scenes: user accounts, payments, databases and the APIs apps use. Nobody sees it, but nothing works without it.

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A normal day

  • Build an API so the app can save orders
  • Design database tables
  • Find out why something is slow

You’ll like it if…

  • You enjoy logic puzzles
  • You prefer logic over visual design
  • You like knowing how things work inside

How to start in Backend Development from zero

  1. Months 0–3: the basics

    • One language: Python, Java or JavaScript
    • Programming logic
    • Git and GitHub

  2. Months 3–6: your first projects

    • SQL and databases
    • Building a REST API
    • One framework (Django, Spring or Express)

  3. Months 6–12: ready to apply

    • Automated tests
    • Docker basics
    • Deploying your API to the cloud

First jobs

  • Junior Backend Developer
  • Software Developer

Portfolio projects

  • A shop API with users and orders
  • A link shortener
  • A bot that sends reminders

Tools

  • Python
  • Java
  • Node.js
  • SQL
  • Docker
  • Git

How much does Backend Development pay?

Median monthly pay in Spanish-speaking Latin America, by experience. The bar runs from the 25th to the 75th percentile of reported pay.

Official data for Peru

Systems analysts and software developers: median monthly pay S/ 3,470. Half earn between S/ 2,050 and S/ 5,000.

  • Up to age 29: S/ 3,080
  • Age 30 and over: S/ 3,490

National Household Survey (INEI) 2022–2024, 260 people surveyed, weighted to represent the country. It is a broad group: the survey does not separate Backend Development from other jobs in the group.

Young (18–29) institute graduates in Ciencias de la Computación: average S/ 1,972 a month, most between S/ 1,000 and S/ 3,400.

Payroll records 2020, graduates 2017-2019. It is old data: treat it as a reference floor.

Where these numbers come from

Where to study Backend Development online

Universities, institutes and bootcamps

Peru

Colombia

Mexico

Chile

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Other paths

Frontend Development

You build what people see and click on a website.

See the path

Mobile App Development

You build the apps people use every day on their phones.

See the path

Data Analysis

You find answers in data so people make better decisions.

See the path