Stop Trying to Learn Everything. It’s Making You Poor.
I look at resumes all day. In 2020, a "Java Developer" knew Java. In 2025, a "Full Stack Developer" is expected to know:
- Frontend: React, Next.js, Tailwind, Figma.
- Backend: Node.js, Python, Postgres, Redis.
- DevOps: AWS, Docker, Kubernetes, Terraform.
- AI: RAG pipelines, Vector Databases.
You are killing yourself trying to master 15 different disciplines. And the worst part? You are getting paid less than the specialist who only knows one.
The "Full Stack" label is the greatest trick HR ever pulled. It convinces you that "Generalism" is a virtue, when in reality, it is just a budget hack.
Here is why you need to stop being a "Jack of All Trades" and start saying "I don't do that."
1. The "Franken-Role" Economics
Why hire a Frontend Engineer ($130k), a Backend Engineer ($140k), and a DevOps Engineer ($150k)? Total Cost: $420k.
Instead, the CFO says: "Just hire a Full Stack Dev who can do it all!" They pay you $160k.
- They save: $260k.
- You get: Burnout, on-call weekends, and mediocrity.
You physically cannot be an expert in CSS animations and database sharding. It’s impossible. So you end up being "Okay" at everything and "Great" at nothing. And in this economy, "Okay" gets laid off. "Great" gets retained.
2. The Specialist Premium
I place candidates every week. Here is the uncomfortable truth: Specialists out-earn Generalists every single time.
- The guy who only does Kafka Streaming Architecture makes $220k.
- The guy who only does Kubernetes Security makes $250k.
- The "Full Stack" dev who does a bit of both makes $150k.
Why? Because difficult problems require depth, not breadth. When a company's database crashes, they don't call the Full Stack guy. They call the Database Expert. Be the person they call when the house is on fire. Not the person who paints the house.
3. The "T-Shaped" Trap
Managers love to talk about "T-Shaped" employees (Broad knowledge, Deep in one area). In 2025, this has morphed into a "Block" shape. They want you deep in everything.
The Fix: Pick a lane.
- Love Visuals? Be a Frontend Expert. Learn WebGL, Three.js, Accessibility. Refuse to touch the database.
- Love Data? Be a Backend Expert. Learn Rust, Go, Distributed Systems. Refuse to center a
div.
When you say "I don't do Frontend," you aren't being lazy. You are signaling seniority. Juniors say "Yes" to everything. Seniors say "No" to distractions.
The Real Numbers: Generalist vs. Specialist Pay
I pulled the average contract rates for late 2025. The gap is widening.
| Role | Scope of Work | Hourly Rate (Contract) |
|---|---|---|
| Full Stack Dev | React + Node + SQL + AWS | $65 - $85 / hr |
| Frontend Specialist | React + Performance Optimization | $90 - $110 / hr |
| Backend Specialist | Go / Rust + Microservices | $100 - $130 / hr |
| DevOps Specialist | Kubernetes + Terraform | $120 - $150 / hr |
The Verdict: The more technologies you list on your resume, the lower your hourly rate goes.
Frequently Asked Questions (That HR Hates)
But won't specializing limit my job options?
It limits the number of jobs, but increases the quality of jobs. Yes, you can apply to fewer roles. But the roles you apply to will have less competition (because few people are experts) and higher pay. Do you want 100 low-quality leads or 5 high-quality offers?
What if I choose the "wrong" specialty?
This is a valid fear. If you specialized in "Flash" in 2010, you died. But in 2025, betting on Data Engineering or Cloud Security is safe. Even if the specific tool changes (e.g., AWS to Azure), the concepts (Identity, Networking) remain the same. "Full Stack" is actually riskier because you are chasing 10 moving targets at once.
Can I lie and say I'm Full Stack to get the interview?
You can, but you will fail the technical screen.
If they ask a deep question about Postgres indexing and you only know how to run SELECT *, you look incompetent. It is better to say: "I am a Backend Specialist. I can hack together a UI if needed, but my value is in the API." Honesty sells competence.
Leon Staffing places experts, not generalists. If you are a master of your craft, view our specialized high-paying contracts.