Full Stack Developer Salary in Cologne (2026)
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How much does full stack developer in Cologne make?
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Full stack developers in Cologne earn €50,000–€92,000 per year, with a median of €65,000. Full stack roles thrive in Cologne's mid-size company and startup ecosystem — trivago, Eyeo (Adblock Plus), Railslove, and the Startplatz community all need versatile engineers who can work across the entire stack. At larger employers like REWE Digital and RTL, full stack roles appear in digital product teams and internal tools.
Key Facts
- Full stack developers earn €50K–€92K/year with median of €65K
- Most in demand at mid-size companies, startups, and digital product teams
- React + TypeScript + Node.js is the dominant stack combination
- Startup roles offer equity and autonomy alongside competitive salaries
- Cologne's creative tech sector creates unique full stack opportunities
Salary by Experience Level
- Junior (0–2 years): €38,000–€50,000
- Mid-level (3–5 years): €52,000–€72,000
- Senior (6+ years): €72,000–€92,000
Where Full Stack Thrives in Cologne
Full stack developers are most in demand at: mid-size companies (trivago, Eyeo, and Startplatz scale-ups), digital product teams at larger employers (REWE Digital, RTL), agencies and creative tech companies (Railslove, Cologne's advertising ecosystem), and the growing startup layer around TH Köln and the University of Cologne.
The Typical Cologne Full Stack Stack
React + TypeScript (frontend) with Node.js/TypeScript or Java (backend) and PostgreSQL (database) is the most common combination. Larger employers lean Java; startups lean Node.js/TypeScript. Docker and basic Kubernetes knowledge are increasingly expected. Next.js is gaining traction for full-stack TypeScript projects.
The Startup Layer
Cologne's startup scene — smaller than Berlin's but growing — heavily relies on full stack developers. Startplatz (co-working and accelerator) and the GATEWAY accelerator provide infrastructure for early-stage companies that need engineers who can build entire products. These roles pay €45K–€70K but offer equity, autonomy, and learning breadth.
Creative Tech & Agencies
Cologne's strong advertising and media industry generates full stack roles at agencies like Railslove and creative tech companies. These typically pay at the lower end but offer exposure to diverse projects, rapid prototyping, and cutting-edge web technologies.
Top Hiring Companies
Career Advice
If you want to stay full stack in Cologne, target mid-size companies (trivago, Eyeo) where versatility is valued. For maximum salary, consider specializing in backend (Java at REWE Digital) or moving to a "Software Engineer" title — the label can command €3K–€5K more at senior levels. Cologne's startup scene is growing, so full stack skills with TypeScript fluency will remain in high demand.
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Full Stack Developer Insights — Cologne
Full Stack Developer salaries in Cologne range from €50,000 to €92,000, a 65% spread that reflects significant variation based on experience level, specialization, and company size. The median of €65,000 sits below the midpoint, suggesting more positions cluster toward the entry-to-mid-level end of the range.
Cologne's cost of living index of 49/100 means relatively affordable living costs compared to major tech centers. A €65,000 median gives full stack developer professionals here strong purchasing power that stretches further than the same salary in cities like San Francisco or Zurich.
The hiring landscape for full stack developer in Cologne is anchored by employers like trivago, Eyeo, and Railslove, along with 2 other notable employers. Larger employers in this market typically offer compensation at the upper end of the range, often supplemented with equity, signing bonuses, and comprehensive benefits.
Demand for full stack developer in Cologne centers around expertise in React, Node.js, TypeScript, plus 2 other core competencies. Candidates with strong proficiency across these areas tend to command offers closer to the €92,000 ceiling, and have natural transition paths into roles like Software Engineer or Frontend Engineer.
Related Roles in Cologne
Explore salary information for similar positions and compare compensation across different roles.
| Role | Location | Salary Range | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senior Data Scientist | Cologne | €78,000 - €115,000 | €88,000 |
| Product Manager | Cologne | €52,000 - €92,000 | €70,000 |
| Software Engineer | Cologne | €50,000 - €98,000 | €68,000 |
| Frontend Developer | Cologne | €48,000 - €88,000 | €63,000 |
| Data Scientist | Cologne | €60,000 - €105,000 | €75,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average full stack developer salary in Cologne?
Full stack developers earn €50,000–€92,000/year with a median of €65,000. Junior roles start at €38,000–€50,000, mid-level pays €52,000–€72,000, and senior full stack developers earn €72,000–€92,000.
Is full stack development common at Cologne's larger companies?
Less common than at startups. REWE Digital and RTL typically have separate frontend and backend teams. However, digital product teams, internal tool teams, and innovation units at larger companies hire full stack developers. The role is most dominant at mid-size companies (trivago, Eyeo) and the startup ecosystem.
What tech stack should I learn for Cologne?
For startups and mid-size: React + TypeScript + Next.js (frontend), Node.js + TypeScript (backend), PostgreSQL (database). For larger employers: React + TypeScript (frontend), Java + Spring Boot (backend), PostgreSQL (database). Docker is expected everywhere. AWS is the dominant cloud.
Should I go full stack or specialize in Cologne?
At startups and mid-size companies, full stack is ideal — small teams need versatile engineers. At REWE Digital or RTL, specialization (especially backend Java) pays more and offers clearer career paths. Many Cologne engineers start full stack at startups, then specialize when moving to larger employers.
How does full stack pay in Cologne compare to Berlin?
Berlin pays more at all levels (median €70K vs Cologne's €65K) and has significantly more full stack roles. However, Cologne rent is 15–25% cheaper and there's less competition per role. For purchasing power, the cities are comparable. Berlin is better for job volume; Cologne for lifestyle and affordability.
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Data Source & Methodology
Salary data for full stack developer in Cologne is compiled from multiple verified sources including:
- Public salary reports from major tech employers (FAANG, Fortune 500, and high-growth startups)
- Government labor statistics and occupational wage surveys
- Aggregated self-reported compensation data from verified professionals
- Job posting analysis from major tech job boards and company career pages
All figures represent base salary in EUR and are normalized to annual equivalents. Ranges reflect the 25th to 75th percentile of reported compensation, while median values represent the 50th percentile. Data is updated quarterly to reflect current market conditions.
Last updated: April 2026 | Sample size: Varies by role and location (minimum 30 data points required for publication)