Full Stack Developer vs Data Scientist

The tech field is full of exciting opportunities. Full stack developers and data scientists play very different roles, but each is a vital component of any business or company. One role deals exclusively with creating web applications from scratch, while the other is devoted to analyzing data to help companies to make data-driven decisions and answer industry questions.

Full stack developers are responsible for creating websites, and this role deals with all front and backend development. Data scientists play a different, though equally important role. A data scientist analyzes all collected data to help businesses make vital business decisions based on the data.

When you decide to pursue a career in the tech industry, full stack development and data science are two of the highest-paying and most coveted jobs. Experts expect these fields to increase in demand by 23% and 32%, respectively.

So, if you’re looking to enter the tech industry and want to know whether you’d enjoy working as a full stack developer or a data scientist more, then you’ve come to the right place! This detailed guide will walk you through the differences between each role.

What’s the Difference Between a Full Stack Developer and a Data Scientist?

Data scientists and full stack developers play incredibly different roles in the workplace. A full stack developer is responsible for creating websites from scratch. Their job involves creating and managing the backend, including servers and databases, to ensure web applications are running correctly and the data is easily accessible for others- like data scientists.

Full stack developers also create and manage the frontend of things. They design websites based on UI (user interface) and UX (user experience) design, prototypes, and scalability.

The role of a data scientist is very different. As a data scientist, you would be expected to take data gathered by data engineers or others and analyze it to answer industry questions and help businesses make data-driven decisions.

Data scientists clean up the data, answer questions based on the data, and provide metrics and solutions to businesses according to the data.

Getting started in the tech industry doesn’t have to be complicated. Visit TECH I.S. to learn about our coding bootcamp and how we can help!

Understanding Full Stack Development

A full stack developer is a technical professional proficient in several computer languages. These professionals are entrusted with creating and building web applications from the ground up.

Unlike other web developers, a full stack developer is responsible for both the front and backend of web development. They deal with creating the servers and databases as well as setting up a website design that’s easy for users to navigate and appealing.

Responsibilities of a Full Stack Developer

Full stack developers are responsible for the successful creation and functioning of the front and backend of web applications. But what does that mean in practice?

Most full stack development roles exist to fulfill the same responsibilities, as this is a very unique and coveted role. Here are some of the duties you might encounter in your day-to-day work life:

Design user interfaces and navigation menus
Write and review codes for web applications, usually HTML, JavaScript, or XML
Integrating multimedia content onto a site
Testing websites
Troubleshoot problems with user experience or website performance
Collaborate with developers, designers, and stakeholders

This is only a small glimpse into the responsibilities of a full stack developer. This role can encompass many more responsibilities than what we’ve listed here. Still, the general idea is that you’re responsible for creating the front and backend of web applications, designing them to appeal to users, and ensuring their functionality.

How To Become A Full Stack Developer?

You can pursue a couple of paths to become a full stack developer. The traditional route is to attend a university and achieve a bachelor’s degree or higher in web development or computer science.

The alternative is to attend a coding bootcamp. These are short, intensive courses, often lasting 4-6 weeks. Coding bootcamps have become more prevalent in recent years because they’re less time-consuming and expensive than pursuing a college degree.

How Much Do Full Stack Developers Make?

Web development is a very lucrative career field. The average annual median salary in 2021 was $78,300. However, the salary for this role can vary widely depending on your experience and location. A beginner in the field may make only $55,000 annually, while an experienced developer could make over $150,000 annually.

Understanding Data Scientists

The role of a data scientist is very different from that of a full stack developer. Data scientists still need plenty of technical experience, but their role is more business-oriented. A data scientist must clean and analyze data to answer industry questions and provide businesses with data-driven solutions and suggestions.

Responsibilities of a Data Scientist

People sitting at a table and working on their laptops

The responsibilities of a data scientist will vary depending on who they’re employed by, but these highly-skilled professionals generally have an expectant set of responsibilities. In this role, data scientists use complex statistical methods, software, and other methods to clean and analyze data to predict patterns and glean other information necessary for businesses to thrive.

Here are some of the typical responsibilities data scientists have:

Research and analyze data to answer industry and business questions
Use a variety of complex methods to prepare data for use in prescriptive and predictive models
Clean and validate data
Interpret and share findings with executives and shareholders

This list doesn’t encompass everything a data scientist might do in their day-to-day work life, but these are the general responsibilities of this role.

How To Become A Data Scientist

Like most roles in the tech industry, data scientists have two options for breaking into this career. They can either pursue a college degree in data sciences or develop the skills and knowledge necessary through other means.

Some may try to teach themselves about data science through online resources, but some of the more complex methods needed to succeed in this role often require attending a dedicated course. A coding bootcamp focused on data science is an excellent option for those looking to enter this career.

How Much Do Data Scientists Make?

Data scientists have the opportunity to become financially secure in this role. A starting wage for this position is often around $65,000 annually. The median wage for this position was $100,910 in 2021, and experienced data scientists can make over $180,000 annually!

Are you looking for more information on different careers in the technology field? Visit us at TECH I.S. for more helpful resources!

Choose Your Career Path With Coding Bootcamp

Are you interested in entering the tech field but unsure what role you want to fulfill? An excellent way to kickstart your career is with a coding bootcamp! You’ll learn the basics of coding to prepare you for a role as a data scientist, web developer, data engineer, and several other roles. Coding bootcamp will help you gather the knowledge you need and determine how you want to apply it in the workforce.