Java Full Stack Developer Salary – 2025 Overview

Wondering what a Java full stack developer pockets these days? You’re not alone. The tech market moves fast, and salaries shift with demand for Java, Spring, Angular, and cloud know‑how. Below you’ll get clear numbers, the things that push pay up or down, and simple steps to get more in your next raise.

How Much Do You Actually Make?

In the UK, a junior Java full stack dev (0‑2 years) usually lands between £35k‑£45k a year. Mid‑level talent (3‑5 years) sees £50k‑£70k, while senior engineers (6+ years) often earn £80k‑£110k, sometimes more with bonuses. The biggest outliers are contract gigs – a day rate of £400‑£600 can translate to £80k‑£120k if you work full time.

Location and Role Matter

London still commands the top pay. Expect a 15‑20% bump over the national average, so senior roles can push past £130k. In other regions—Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh—salaries sit closer to the national median, but lower living costs can make the net take‑home feel bigger. Remote‑first companies often blend these rates, offering a flat £60k‑£80k for mid‑level talent regardless of city.

Job title also shifts the figure. A "Java Full Stack Engineer" might earn a bit less than a "Senior Full Stack Developer" who also leads architecture or mentors juniors. Adding "Cloud" or "DevOps" to the title can add £5k‑£10k because employers value those cross‑functional skills.

Skills That Boost Your Pay

Know your core stack—Spring Boot, Hibernate, React or Angular, REST APIs. Mastery of Kubernetes, AWS, Azure, or GCP usually adds a premium. Employers love developers who can set up CI/CD pipelines with Jenkins or GitLab, so those capabilities can fetch an extra £5k‑£8k. If you’ve contributed to open‑source projects or have a solid GitHub profile, you’ll stand out and negotiate harder.

Certifications matter less than real‑world experience, but a Spring Professional or AWS Solutions Architect badge can give you a confidence boost in salary talks. Pair that with a portfolio of live applications and you’ve got a compelling case for a higher offer.

Negotiation Tips You Can Use Now

Start with market data—sites like Glassdoor, Indeed, and Hired publish up‑to‑date ranges. When you get an offer, ask about the total compensation package: base, bonus, equity, pension, and training budget. If the base is low, see if a signing bonus or extra vacation days can balance it out.

Show how your recent project saved the company time or money. Numbers speak louder than words. For example, “I reduced API response time by 30% which cut cloud costs by £10k annually.” That kind of impact justifies a higher salary.

Don’t be afraid to walk away if the package doesn’t meet your worth. In a tight job market, many firms will improve their offer rather than lose a skilled Java full stack developer.

Bottom line: Know the range, highlight the high‑value skills you bring, and treat the offer as a conversation, not a final verdict. With the right data and confidence, you can land a salary that matches your expertise.