Occupation

Back-end developer

Back-end developers build the services, APIs, and data access layers that sit behind an application. The work centres on correctness under load: making sure requests are handled reliably, data stays consistent, and failures degrade in a controlled way.

Also known as: Back end engineer · Server-side developer · API developer

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Occupation content

Part of Information technology, data and cybersecurity

A visual day in the work

What the work involves

  1. Design and implement API endpoints against an agreed contract

  2. Model data and write queries that stay correct as records grow

  3. Add logging, metrics, and alerts so problems surface before users report them

  4. Investigate production errors from traces and logs, then ship a fix

  5. Review schema and interface changes for backwards compatibility

Entry-route stepper

How people commonly enter

  1. A bachelor's degree in computer science or software engineering

  2. A college diploma or certificate in programming or systems development

  3. A software or digital apprenticeship with an employer

  4. Internal movement from a support, testing, or database role after building coding skills

Typical training: Bachelor's degree

Licensing: Not typically licensed

Pathways: Apprenticeship route

Work-context map

Typical work context

  • Team based
  • Desk based
  • Quiet focus
  • Remote capable
  • Hybrid office

Team based · Desk based · Quiet focus · Remote capable · Hybrid office

Related interests

  • Investigative (analytical)
  • Conventional (organizing)
  • Realistic (hands-on)

Investigative (analytical) · Conventional (organizing) · Realistic (hands-on)

Related aptitude preparation

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Skills to practise

Practice suites

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Labour-market context (not part of exploration match)

This is broad family-level context for Information technology, data and cybersecurity in Canada, not a figure for Back-end developer. It does not affect matching scores and is not an eligibility determination.

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Information technology, data and cybersecurity: education pathways

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Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period

Information technology, data and cybersecurity: licensing

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