Skill report · Backend & APIs
Backend Development: demand in job postings
Backend Development is named in 3% of the 28,652 tech job postings Mettlespark read in the United States and Canada over the last 180 days (765 postings), most often for Backend Engineer at 14%, Full-Stack Engineer at 8% and Software Engineer at 6%. When a posting names it, 94% list it as required.
From 28,652 postings in the United States and Canada, April 23, 2026 to October 20, 2026. Updated October 20, 2026. How we count
- Postings naming it
- 7653% of all postings
- Required when named
- 94%rather than nice to have
- Senior level or above
- 67%of the postings naming it
Over time
Its share of postings has fallen about 2 points since October 2023, comparing like with like.
The roles that ask for it most
The share of each role's postings that name Backend Development.
| Role | Share of the role's postings |
|---|---|
| Backend Engineer | |
| Full-Stack Engineer | |
| Software Engineer | |
| Engineering Manager | |
| Applied AI Engineer | |
| AI Engineer |
Often asked for alongside
The share of postings naming Backend Development that also name each.
- Distributed Systems49%
- Python39%
- REST APIs36%
- Observability33%
- AI Agents29%
- AWS27%
Industries
Where the postings naming it come from.
- Fintech & Payments11%
- Enterprise Software & SaaS8%
- Banking & Financial Services7%
- AI Research & Foundation Models7%
Quick answers
Is Backend Development in demand?
Backend Development is named in 3% of tech job postings in the United States and Canada over the last 180 days, 765 postings, and required in 94% of those. Its share of postings has fallen about 2 points since October 2023, comparing like with like.
Which jobs ask for Backend Development?
Backend Engineer, Full-Stack Engineer, Software Engineer and Engineering Manager postings name it most often: 14% of Backend Engineer postings, 8% of Full-Stack Engineer postings, 6% of Software Engineer postings.
What skills go with Backend Development?
Postings that name Backend Development most often also name Distributed Systems, Python, REST APIs and Observability.