Java Developer Roadmap [2024] - Become A Java Developer

Java Developer Roadmap

Do you want to work with one of the most widely used programming languages in the business world?

Or, maybe you are aspiring to wear the hat of a full-stack Java developer for creating high-interactive applications?

If so, being a full stack Java developer might be the perfect fit.

This 2024 Java developer roadmap will help in reaching this step. Java developer is one of the listed and highly-paying IT jobs. And why not? In today’s modern world, Java developers are essential whether it is about creating a stunning website, a high-performing e-commerce site, or other web-based application.

Even Java is one of the most sought-after coding languages in the industry. And as a career prospect, it is a most interesting job. But, since the industry is flooded with various candidates to capture the right opportunities, it has become a little tough for career enthusiasts to stand out from the crowd.

That’s why we bring a full stack 2024 Java developer roadmap for all career enthusiasts who are interested. We will cover all the latest skills necessary to stay competitive in 2024. After all, equipping yourself with the right Java programming skills is a great step towards a rewarding career in software development.

Let’s explore some must-have skill sets to become a highly-qualified Java developer professional.

Who is a Full Stack Java Developer?

So, what does the term “full-stack Java programmer” mean?

A programmer who has a command over both the frontend (client-side) and backend (server-side) of a website is known as a full- stack web developer.

The front-end developers are responsible for designing and developing the UI section of a web application whereas the Java backend developers work behind the scenes and run the requests which the user issues. Some backend services are logical processing, user validation, database handling, and server operations.

So, to become a full-stack Java developer, you need to be an expert in front-end and back-end technologies. Plus, you also have a general idea about the skills or technologies related to full-stack development.

Additionally, a full-stack developer is also skilled and fluent in multiple coding programs, has familiarity with databases, a talent for designing, UI/UX management, and a certain set of soft skills to excel.

What is the Role of a Full Stack Java Developer?

In the modern world, a full stack 2024 Java backend and front-end developer is counted as the most crucial position in technology. As we discussed above, a full-stack developer is a professional who has a command on both the front and back end of a web application/website.

Generally, the role of a full-stack developer is to develop user interface websites, databases, and handle servers. Such professionals can also work with the clients during the planning phase of the projects.

Here are the following duties and responsibilities when it comes to the roadmap of a Java developer:

1. Knowledge of essential front-end technologies like HTML, CSS, JavaScript.
2. Version control systems like GitHub, GitLab, BeanStalk.
3. Database management and caching mechanism.
4. Server and configuration management.
5. At least one server-side programming language like Java, Python, PHP, Ruby, etc.
6. The agile development approach to carry out the vision with multidisciplinary tasks without any hurry or disturbance.
7. Design and code software applications from business and technical specifications.
8. Develop and execute unit, component, and integration level tests to verify requirements are met.
9. Ensure coding standards and product quality targets are met through the completion of code reviews.
10. Investigate and resolve complex technical issues for assigned projects.
11. Enable continuous improvement across the SDLC through the introduction of new technologies and processes.
12. Create and review technical and end-user product documentation.

Nonetheless, as soon as you meet all the requirements stated above, take a step ahead on the full-stack java development roadmap.

Key Skills to Become a Successful Full Stack Java Developer

This Java developer learning roadmap will help in becoming a full stack developer.  Well, there are a whole lot of technologies, including HTML, CSS, and JS to learn when it comes to Java. 

Here’s a roadmap to full stack Java development. Go through the article and discover which skills and tools to learn and which ones to learn first. There are a lot of full stack Java development tools out there and you need to be exposed to them before you make a decision on what you want to learn. 

Another important thing that is always a part of your roadmap even if you are an expert is that you need to stay updated. The full stack Java trends for 2024 won’t be the same as those next year. There are a lot of new frameworks and tools introduced periodically.

You must keep up with the trends to become obsolete. Always look to what’s new and upcoming.

• JavaScript

JavaScript is the ultimate tool, which helps full-stack developers in creating excellent websites and web applications. Whether you are thinking about adding a dynamic touch or want to natively run it in the browser and on the server-side, learning JavaScript must be your first step.

Through JavaScript, it becomes easy to modify HTML & CSS to update content, animate images, illustrations, create interactive maps, menus, and video players.

So, a full stack Java programmer must have detailed knowledge of JavaScript, React, and Angular, DOM, and JSON. Additionally, they also have great knowledge of new frameworks, libraries, and tools.

• HTML/CSS

HTML is a Hypertext Markup Language used to add web content. Whereas, CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is used to nail the style and appearance of the website. Being an expert full stack developer, you must have mastery over both programming languages to design a responsive website.

Both HTML and CSS help the developers in designing a website that is appealing to the eyes and easy to navigate. 

• Git & GitHub

Git is open-source software that contributes to accelerating growth and efficiency for both micro and massive projects. Through this software, a full stack developer can easily track even the minor changes made to applications, codes, websites, documents, and other project files.

Even having a GitHub profile helps skilled developers to work collaboratively. Hence, every Java developer should be aware of basic Git commands for accessing the opportunities of productivity, management, efficiency, and security.

• Backend Languages

A Java programmer should also have extensive knowledge of PHP, Python, Ruby, and the technicalities of web architecture. For establishing yourself as an experienced Java developer, you must also know – how to structure the code, categorize files, & collate the data in databases for building software applications & complex websites.

• Databases & Web Storage

A database is necessary to store your projects securely. It assists the different teams to work collaboratively on the same project, which actively keeps developers aware of modifications. To store the data effectively and access it with ease in the future, full stack developers need to understand all the requirements of NoSQL, MySQL databases and web storage.

Moreover, experts must have in-depth knowledge of XML & JSON, relational and non-relational databases.

• JSP & Servlets

JSP (Java Server Pages) is a back-end technology to create dynamic and platform-independent web applications. It supports dynamic content and has access to the whole Java API family. This is a must-learn technology.

On the other hand, it is also important to learn about servlets. The programs that are the middle layer, help in collecting input from the user, presenting information from the database, and loading dynamic content. 

• Spring Frameworks

Spring framework is another complete, lightweight tool that supports Aspect-Oriented Programming (AOP). This modular framework is useful for developers who work with MVC architecture.

Some popular spring frameworks are Spring MVC, Spring Boot, and Spring Cloud for developing a web application. So, every developer must have to master their skills in these Java frameworks. Does not matter which Java project you are handling, it provides all layers of security features equipped with authentication, verification, and validation.

• Spring Boot

Spring Boot is one of the top five Java frameworks you should learn. It helps in creating Java applications by eliminating boilerplate code. Additionally, it removes the pain of using the Spring framework and makes it easier to use, plus cuts down the time you spend on bootstrapping. 

• DevOps Tools

In the current market, there is a huge demand for full stack developers who know about DevOps.

They are also familiar with its key lifecycle phases like continuous development, continuous integration, and continuous testing. Good knowledge of DevOps tools like Maven, Docker, Ansible, Kubernetes, and AWS is necessary for creating ideal environments and building scripts.

• Web Architecture

Since the market is flooded with talent, it is necessary to have some complementary skills to enhance career-accelerating opportunities. That’s why it is necessary to have the basics of web architecture.

Full-stack developers must have an extensive understanding of the structural elements and user interface elements of the web application, such as DNS or Domain Name System, Database Servers, Cloud Storage, and such.

• HTTP & REST

Full stack developers must have expertise in these two technologies for web development. HyperText Transmit Protocol (HTTP) enables the server to easily communicate with the client.

Representational State Transfer (REST) is a mediator between the frontend & the backend. So, every developer has a good command of these technologies.

• UI/UX Design

In order to become a successful Full Stack developer, knowledge of designing is also recommended. Moreover, the person should know the principle of basic prototype design and UI/UX design.

• Maven

Maven is the most essential Java tool. For some programmers coming from the pre-Maven world of ANT and Batch script, it is quite painful to assemble and manage dependencies for a Java application. 

• CI (Jenkins, Bamboo, GitLab, etc.)

In addition to Maven, Jenkins is another must-know skill for Java developers. With the advent of new technologies and processes of software development, many organizations are now using CI and CD. Even the beginning of DevOps has further fueled the adoption of Jenkins. So, we believe that every Java developer should adopt this skill.

Maven not only solved the problem of dependency management. But it also provides a standard structure for Java projects. As a result, it considerably shortens the learning curve for a new developer. 

Hence, Maven is an absolute must-have skill for Java programmers.

• Hibernate

Since Data plays a significant role in any Java application, Hibernate also becomes an essential framework that every Java developer should learn. It eliminates the pain of JDBC to interact with persistent technology like Relational databases and allows you to focus on building application logic using Objects. For learning Hibernate, enroll in Java courses today.

• Microservices

Microservices using Spring Boot and Spring Cloud are in demand for Java developers. They must have this skill and be well-aware of Microservices. Generally, some monolithic applications are hard to build and maintain. But, microservices are much easier to code, develop, and maintain because they split an application into a set of smaller, composable fragments.

• JUnit

We are here suggesting many full stack Java programmers learn JUnit for staying in competition. It is also an important thing that every Java developer should learn in 2024. This leading skill allows you to write tests better and faster. In addition to learning JUnit, you should also learn Mockito, a leading Java library for creating mock objects. 

Since the creation of Java applications mostly depends on the library, including JDK, a mocking framework like Mockito is always required to write a test that can run in isolation.

• TDD

TDD is also one of the important skills that every Java developer should learn nowadays. This is a quite deep down and single most practical skill for Java developers that can improve the quality of your code and increase confidence in your coding. TDD’s test-code-test refactor cycle works fast and really well in Java. We strongly suggest every Java developer follow TDD. 

• Java SE

Java SE is one of the most important skills for any Java developer. If you are not aware of Collections, Multithreading, Streams, and other essential Java SE libraries, it is not possible to code in Java.

Having good knowledge of these necessary classes is significant for any Java developer. It will help in creating an effective code. So, if you are a beginner in Java courses, we highly recommend spending some time learning and improving core Java skills. Hence, take a look at the Java EE developer roadmap for being more professional. 

• Elastic Search

ElasticSearch is also a significant software in Java. It is a search engine based on the Lucene library and allows you to reliably search, analyze and visualize your data. Elasticsearch is often used together with Kibana, Beats, and Logstash, which form the Elastic Stack.

ElasticSearch is getting popular as more and more applications are now providing a way to analyze and visualize their data to the user. And therefore, a Java developer has ElasticSearch Skills.

Developers’ roadmap to Java is the most demanding. So, enhance your skills and become a high-paid Java developer.

Full Stack Java Developers Salaries and Job Opportunities

When IT companies hire a full stack Java developer, it is necessary to evaluate the budget and expenses. The salary of web developers depends on several factors, such as location, experience, present opportunities, and many other factors.

As discussed above, becoming a full stack developer means requiring specialization and picking up as many skills as possible. 

According to talent.com, the average full stack developer salary in the USA is $110,686 per year or $56.49 per hour. Entry level positions start at $92,691 per year while most experienced workers make up to $145,000 per year.

Full Stack Java Developer Salary In Some Popular Cities of USA

Here is a list of Java developer salaries across different countries and a high rate of web development job opportunities. Meanwhile, the average salary range is based on skills and experience self-reported from Talent. Find reports below.

1. Full Stack Java Developer Salary in Virginia – $126,750.
2. Full Stack Java Developer Salary in California – $126,750.
3. Full Stack Java Developer Salary in Massachusetts – $125,000.
4. Full Stack Java Developer Salary in New York – $125,000.
5. Full Stack Java Developer Salary in Washington – $122,200.
6. Full Stack Java Developer Salary in Illinois – $120,000.
7. Full Stack Java Developer Salary in Mississippi – $62,679.

Note: The above figures reported may not be accurate as they may vary depending on the demand. 

And, here is the average full-stack developer’s salary:

• Indeed: $105k/year, based on 10.5k reported salaries
• Glassdoor: $99k/year, with a low of $63k and a high of $157k
• ZipRecruiter: $100k/year ($49/hour), with a low of $50k and a high of $155k
• PayScale: $79k/year, with a low of $54k and a high of $115k.

The salaries and job opportunities of full stack developers across different locations are approximate. And, salary depends on various factors such as skills, experience, company, speed of delivery, and location.

Demand for Full Stack Java Programmers

What’s the scope of full-stack development in 2024?

A full-stack developer’s career is the most demanding and fulfilling one. It involves a combination of work at the front-end and back-end to build website applications.

Due to the growing number of online platforms and digitally driven businesses, the demand for full-stack developers has been on the rise in recent years. Thus, as long as we have the need for developing website applications, the demand for full-stack web developers will remain high.

The rise of full stack developers is in high demand due to the growing number of online platforms and digitally-driven businesses. Hence, if you are planning to pursue your career in web development or Java development, this is the right time. 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 8% job growth for web developers and designers from 2019-2029, double the national average for all occupations. These tech professionals build and manage websites for employers and clients.

Future Scope of Full Stack Java Developer

In terms of different revenues, you can expect within the full stack developer, the amount of experience you have can really help decide your pay packet. In the US, the starting salary for a senior full stack developer can be $30,000-60,000, which is pretty high to begin with.

Once you get your first junior full stack developer job, you can constantly look to expand your skills set, experience, and thus, salary. Whether it is about learning something new in Java or expanding your skills further, all this will raise your demand in the current and upcoming market. It will also keep you ahead of the competition.

Once you successfully prove that you are an experienced industry professional both inside your company and in the marketplace, a senior full stack developer grasps a high average salary.

Conclusion!

We suggest you go through this roadmap of Java developer’s skill set list that enhances your chances of staying ahead of the competition in 2024. Through these above-mentioned skill sets, you can easily write better Java programs and deliver faster.

This is what you want right?

So, what are you waiting for? This is our 2024 full-stack Java Developer Roadmap. Start learning different resources and become a better Java developer. We have kept it simple, so most people can follow it.

If you still have any questions, reach us today! We will assist you further in every possible way.