6 templates across standard, junior, senior, backend, web/full-stack, and data/ML roles, each with the seniority, specialization, tech-stack, and FLSA clarity generic templates skip. Download as DOCX.
A Python developer designs, builds, and maintains applications and services in Python, work that spans web development, backend services, data engineering, and machine learning. Writing the job description well starts with two things most templates skip: naming the seniority and specialization, since a junior backend role and a senior data role are very different jobs, and stating the FLSA classification, which rests on duties rather than the title.
At FirstHR, these six templates cover the role across levels and focuses: standard, junior, senior, backend, web and full-stack, and data and machine learning. Each one places the role clearly, states the classification, and prompts you for the real tech stack. The guide to writing a job description covers the fundamentals behind any posting.
TL;DR
A Python developer builds applications and services in Python across web, backend, data, and ML work. The title spans junior to senior and several specializations, and the role is FLSA-exempt under the computer-employee exemption, by duties not title. There is no Python-specific federal code; the closest proxy, software developers, has a median near $133,080. Download six templates as DOCX, by level and focus.
What a Python Developer Does
A Python developer writes, tests, and maintains software in Python, owning features from design through deployment, building APIs and services, working with data and databases, and collaborating across the engineering team. The day-to-day depends on the specialization, but the common thread is fluency in Python and a focus on writing reliable, maintainable code.
There is no dedicated federal occupation code for Python developer, because it is a language-specific role rather than a standard occupation. The closest proxy is software developers (15-1252), which the Bureau of Labor Statistics defines as designing and developing software, with the related computer programmers occupation a secondary reference. The templates here are organized by seniority and specialization so you can match the posting to the exact role you are filling.
Python Developer Duties and Responsibilities
Python developer duties cluster into four areas: building software, data and systems, collaboration, and quality and delivery. A strong job description weights these by the seniority and specialization, since a senior role leans into architecture while a junior role leans into supervised delivery.
Building software
Design, build, and maintain Python code
Write clean, tested, maintainable code
Build and integrate APIs and services
Data and systems
Work with databases and data models
Build for performance and scalability
Handle security and reliability
Collaboration
Review code and participate in design
Collaborate across product and engineering
Mentor or learn depending on level
Quality and delivery
Debug, profile, and optimize
Follow testing and CI/CD practices
Use version control and ship reliably
The emphasis shifts by version: a backend role centers on services and data layers, a web role on full-stack delivery, and a data role on pipelines and libraries. For a structured way to scope the role, the guide to defining job responsibilities walks through the process.
Which Template Should You Use?
Pick the template by seniority and specialization. The core structure is shared, but each version reflects the level and focus that fit a specific role. Use this guide to choose the closest fit, then adjust.
Python Developer (Standard)
The core version
The general role: design, build, test, and maintain Python applications and services, owning features from design through deployment.
Junior Python Developer
Entry-level, mentored
For an early-career hire: write code, fix bugs, and build features with mentorship and review, growing toward mid and senior.
Senior Python Developer
Architecture and mentoring
For a senior hire: own architecture for complex systems, set engineering standards, mentor developers, and drive technical decisions.
Python Backend Developer
Server-side focus
For backend work: design and build services, APIs, and data layers in Python, built for performance, scalability, and reliability.
Python Web / Full-Stack
End-to-end web
For web applications: a Python framework such as Django on the backend with a modern frontend, delivering complete features.
Data / ML Focus
Data-heavy Python
For data-heavy work: build data pipelines, use Python data and ML libraries, and turn data and models into production code.
Match the Template to the Role
General Python work: Python Developer (Standard). An early-career hire: Junior. Architecture and team leadership: Senior. Server-side and APIs: Backend. End-to-end web applications: Web / Full-Stack. Data pipelines and ML libraries: Data / ML Focus. Always name the seniority and specialization in the title so candidates self-select accurately.
6 Python Developer Job Description Templates
Download all six as a single Word document or copy individual templates. Each follows the same structure: company and job summary, key responsibilities, qualifications, a tech-stack prompt, a classification note, and how to apply, with an EEO statement. Fill in the brackets and post.
Download All 6 Job Description Templates
Standard, junior, senior, backend, web/full-stack, and data/ML. All in one DOCX.
Template 1: Python Developer (Standard)
The general role: design, build, test, and maintain Python applications and services, owning features from design through deployment.
Python Developer Job Description (Standard)
PYTHON DEVELOPER JOB DESCRIPTION (STANDARD)
Company: __ ([City, State] / Remote)
Reports to: __ (Engineering Lead / CTO)
Employment type: Full-time
FLSA status: Exempt (computer-employee) [confirm by duties]
Compensation: Base $_____ [+ bonus / equity]; level: __
ABOUT [COMPANY NAME]
[One or two sentences about your company, the product, and the engineering team
this Python developer will join.]
JOB SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring a Python Developer to design, build, and maintain
applications and services in Python. You will write clean, tested, maintainable
code, collaborate across the team, and own features from design through deployment.
A role for a developer who is fluent in Python and cares about quality.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Design, build, test, and maintain Python applications
•Write clean, well-documented, and maintainable code
•Build and integrate APIs and services
•Collaborate on architecture and technical decisions
•Review code and participate in design discussions
•Debug, profile, and optimize for performance
•Work with databases and data models
•Follow version control, testing, and CI/CD practices
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Proficiency in Python and its standard libraries
•Experience with a Python framework such as Django or Flask
•Understanding of APIs, databases, and version control
•Familiarity with testing and code-quality practices
•Problem-solving and collaboration skills
•Bachelor's in CS or equivalent experience
TECH STACK (edit to your environment)
•Language: Python [3.x]
•Frameworks: [Django / Flask / FastAPI]
•Data: [PostgreSQL / MySQL / Redis]
•Tools: [Git, Docker, CI/CD, cloud platform]
CLASSIFICATION NOTE
FLSA: Typically exempt under the computer-employee exemption when the salary or
hourly test and the duties test are met. Confirm by actual duties, not the title.
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Base salary: $_____ [+ bonus / equity]
To apply, send your resume to __.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
Template 2: Junior Python Developer (Entry-Level)
For an early-career hire: write code, fix bugs, and build features with mentorship and review, growing toward mid and senior.
For web applications: a Python framework such as Django on the backend with a modern frontend, delivering complete features end to end.
Python Web / Full-Stack Developer Job Description
PYTHON WEB / FULL-STACK DEVELOPER JOB DESCRIPTION
Company: __ ([City, State] / Remote)
Reports to: __ (Engineering Lead / CTO)
Employment type: Full-time
FLSA status: Exempt (computer-employee) [confirm by duties]
Compensation: Base $_____ [+ bonus / equity]; level: __
JOB SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring a Python Web / Full-Stack Developer to build web
applications end to end. Using a Python framework such as Django on the backend and
a modern frontend, you will deliver complete features from the database to the user
interface.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Build web applications using Python and a web framework
•Develop backend logic, APIs, and database models
•Build or integrate frontend interfaces and templates
•Deliver complete features from data layer to UI
•Write tests and maintain code quality across the stack
•Optimize for performance and a good user experience
•Collaborate with design and product
•Deploy and maintain web applications
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Strong Python and a web framework such as Django
•Frontend experience: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, a modern framework
•Understanding of APIs, databases, and web architecture
•Full-stack delivery experience
•Testing and version-control discipline
•Bachelor's in CS or equivalent experience
CLASSIFICATION NOTE
FLSA: Exempt under the computer-employee exemption when the salary or hourly test
and the duties test are met. Confirm by actual duties.
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Base salary: $_____ [+ bonus / equity]
To apply, send your resume to __.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
Template 6: Python Developer (Data / ML Focus)
For data-heavy work: build data pipelines, use Python data and ML libraries, and turn data and models into production code.
Python Developer Job Description (Data / ML Focus)
PYTHON DEVELOPER JOB DESCRIPTION (DATA / ML FOCUS)
Company: __ ([City, State] / Remote)
Reports to: __ (Data / Engineering Lead)
Employment type: Full-time
FLSA status: Exempt (computer-employee or learned-professional) [confirm by duties]
Compensation: Base $_____ [+ bonus / equity]; level: __
JOB SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring a Python Developer focused on data and machine learning.
This version is for data-heavy work: you will build data pipelines, work with
Python data and ML libraries, and turn data and models into reliable, production
code. For a dedicated data engineer or ML engineer, see those separate roles.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Build and maintain data pipelines in Python
•Work with data and ML libraries such as pandas and scikit-learn
•Productionize data processing and model workflows
•Build APIs and services around data and models
•Ensure data quality, reliability, and performance
•Collaborate with data scientists and engineers
•Write tests and maintain code quality
•Monitor and optimize data and model pipelines
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Strong Python with data and ML libraries
•Experience building data pipelines and workflows
•Knowledge of databases, data modeling, and APIs
•Understanding of the model lifecycle a plus
•Testing and production-engineering discipline
•Bachelor's in CS, data, or equivalent experience
CLASSIFICATION NOTE
FLSA: Exempt under the computer-employee or learned-professional exemption when the
salary or hourly test and the duties test are met. Confirm by actual duties.
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Base salary: $_____ [+ bonus / equity]
To apply, send your resume to __.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
Seniority, Tech Stack, and FLSA
This is the part the generic templates skip, and it is what makes a Python developer posting accurate: specifying seniority and specialization, stating the real tech stack, getting the FLSA classification right, and deciding employee versus contractor. Get these right and the posting attracts the few candidates who fit instead of a flood who do not.
Specify seniority and specialization
Python developer is a broad title, so the most useful thing a posting can do is narrow it. Seniority changes the role completely: a junior writes well-scoped code under review, a mid-level owns features, and a senior owns architecture and mentors others. Specialization matters just as much: backend, web and full-stack, and data or machine-learning work draw on different frameworks and skills even though all are Python. Name both the level and the focus in the title and summary so candidates self-select accurately. A posting that just says Python developer with a generic responsibilities list attracts a flood of mismatched applicants, while a precise title attracts the few who fit. This is general information, not legal advice.
The role is usually FLSA-exempt, by duties not title
A Python developer is almost always exempt from overtime, but the classification rests on duties and pay, not the title. The role typically qualifies under the computer-employee exemption, which the Department of Labor applies to computer systems analysts, programmers, software engineers, and similarly skilled workers who are paid on a salary basis of at least 684 dollars a week or on an hourly basis of at least 27.63 dollars and who perform qualifying systems-analysis, design, and development work. Most full-time developer roles clear both the pay and the duties tests. A very junior or trainee role that does not meet the duties test could be non-exempt. Because job titles do not determine status, confirm against the actual duties and pay. This is general information, not legal advice.
List the real tech stack, not a wish list
Python roles live or die on the stack, so a job description should state the actual environment rather than every technology imaginable. Name the Python version, the core framework such as Django, Flask, or FastAPI, the databases and data stores, and the tooling around version control, containers, and deployment. Distinguish what is required from what is nice to have, because an inflated must-have list screens out strong candidates who could learn a secondary tool in a week. Being honest and specific about the stack also signals that the team knows its own environment, which experienced developers notice. Keep the list focused on what the role genuinely uses day to day. This is general information, not legal advice.
Decide employee versus contractor before posting
Developer work is often filled by contractors as well as employees, and the distinction matters for both the posting and the paperwork. An employee is hired onto the team with the role classified under the computer-employee exemption and onboarded like any hire, while an independent contractor is engaged for defined work, paid without withholding, and reported differently. The classification turns on the actual working relationship, not a label, and getting it wrong carries real consequences. Decide which you are hiring before you post, because it changes the title, the offer, the agreements, and the tax forms. For a genuine project rather than an ongoing seat, a contractor may fit better. This is general information, not legal or tax advice.
Exempt by Duties, Across a Broad Title
A Python developer is almost always FLSA-exempt under the computer-employee exemption, which applies to software developers and similarly skilled workers paid on a salary basis of at least $684 a week or at least $27.63 an hour and performing qualifying duties. The title spans junior to senior and backend, web, and data focuses. Job titles do not determine status; confirm by duties. This is general information, not legal advice.
Python spans several kinds of work, and the specialization shapes the stack and the responsibilities. This is how the common focuses compare, so you can name the right one and link to a more specific role where it fits better.
Python developer pay is high and rises with experience, location, and specialization. Benchmark to the level and focus, and present base plus any equity or bonus clearly.
No Python-Specific Code; Closest Proxy Near $133,080
There is no dedicated federal occupation code for Python developer. The closest proxy, as of the May 2024 data, is software developers at a median of about $133,080 (lowest ten percent under about $79,850, top ten percent over about $211,450), with the related computer programmers occupation at about $98,670 (BLS via O*NET). Industry sources put Python developer averages roughly in the $117,000 to $133,000 range, with senior roles above $140,000.
Pay runs higher for senior and specialized roles and in major tech markets, and lower for junior roles and smaller companies. The software developer occupation is projected to grow about 15 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than average, so demand for Python skills stays strong. National compensation surveys and BLS data are the best references for setting a range, adjusted for level and specialization.
Hiring for a Growing Team
Python developers are hired mostly by software and technology companies, but a team making its first or early engineering hires faces a harder version of the task: no leveling framework and one chance to write a posting that fits. Here is how to approach it, and why precision in the posting does the filtering.
Python developers are hired mostly by software and technology companies
Python is the backbone of web, data, and machine-learning work, so dedicated Python developers concentrate in software companies, fintech, startups, and the engineering teams of larger organizations, most of which have established recruiting. A company making its first engineering hire, or formalizing a small team, faces a different version of the task than a large tech employer: fewer reference points, no leveling framework, and one chance to write a posting that attracts the right candidate. The templates on this page are written to serve that range, from a junior hire through a senior architect and across backend, web, and data specializations. Pick the version that matches the level and focus you actually need.
The title is broad, so precision in the posting does the filtering
Because Python developer spans junior to senior and backend to data work, a vague posting attracts a flood of mismatched applicants while a precise one attracts the few who fit. Decide the seniority, the specialization, and the real tech stack before posting, then use the matching template and state requirements honestly, separating must-haves from nice-to-haves. This precision is what saves a small or growing team the most time, because every unqualified application is screening work someone has to do. Getting the title and scope right the first time is the difference between a manageable shortlist and an unmanageable inbox.
Whether employee or contractor, the offer and onboarding still have to be handled
Once you decide to hire, the people side is ordinary operations made specific by engineering: a clear offer stating base, any equity or bonus, and the classification, the I-9 and tax forms or a contractor agreement, system and repository access, and a focused first-month plan. FirstHR fits the people-operations side: e-signature for the offer letter or contractor agreement, an onboarding wizard and task workflows for access and the first-month plan, document management for signed forms and IP agreements, and an org chart for a growing team. To be clear about scope, FirstHR is an onboarding and HR platform, not a developer-hiring, coding-assessment, or payroll system, and it does not run payroll or administer benefits, so pair it with those providers. Applicant tracking is coming soon.
From Hiring to Onboarding
The job description is step one. Once a candidate accepts, the same document becomes the basis for the offer or contractor agreement and the onboarding, and for a developer who needs to ship quickly, getting access and a first-month plan right from the start matters.
Send the offer or agreement
Confirm the level, base, any equity, and classification in writing for an employee, or scope and terms for a contractor, ready to e-sign.
Confirm the classification
Document the exempt basis or the contractor relationship against the actual working arrangement, not the title.
Provision systems and access
Set up repository, environment, and tooling access so a developer can ship in the first week.
Store forms and IP agreements
Keep the signed offer or contract, IP and confidentiality agreements, I-9, and tax forms organized.
Once your offer is ready, the offer letter template handles the next step, and an onboarding template gives a new hire a structured start. FirstHR connects the offer, e-signatures, the onboarding workflow, document management for agreements and forms, and org-chart placement in one place, so a growing team can run the same process every time it hires. FirstHR is an onboarding and HR platform, not a developer-hiring, coding-assessment, or payroll system, so connect those separately. Applicant tracking is coming soon to FirstHR.
A Python developer builds applications and services in Python across web, backend, data, and ML work; the closest federal proxy is software developers.
Name the seniority and specialization in the title: a junior backend role and a senior data role are very different jobs.
The role is FLSA-exempt under the computer-employee exemption, by duties not title; a trainee role that fails the duties test could be non-exempt.
State the real tech stack, separating must-have skills from nice-to-haves, so you do not screen out strong candidates over a secondary tool.
Decide employee versus contractor before posting; the classification turns on the working relationship, not the label.
There is no Python-specific federal code; the closest proxy, software developers, has a median near $133,080, with the role itself around $117,000 to $133,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Python developer do?
A Python developer designs, builds, tests, and maintains applications and services written in Python. The work clusters into four areas: building software (writing clean, tested, maintainable Python code and building APIs and services), data and systems (working with databases and data models and building for performance and reliability), collaboration (code review, design discussions, and mentoring or learning by level), and quality and delivery (debugging, profiling, testing, and shipping through version control and CI/CD). Python is used across web development, backend services, data engineering, and machine learning, so the specific focus varies by role. The common thread is fluency in Python and a commitment to writing reliable, maintainable code. This is general information, not legal advice.
Is a Python developer exempt or non-exempt under the FLSA?
A Python developer is almost always exempt from overtime, but the classification depends on duties and pay, not the title. The role typically qualifies under the computer-employee exemption, which the Department of Labor applies to computer systems analysts, programmers, software engineers, and similarly skilled workers who are paid on a salary basis of at least 684 dollars a week or on an hourly basis of at least 27.63 dollars, and whose primary duties involve qualifying systems-analysis, design, development, or modification work. Most full-time professional developer roles meet both the pay and duties tests and are therefore exempt. A very junior or trainee role that does not meet the duties test could be non-exempt and overtime-eligible. Because job titles do not determine exempt status, confirm against the actual duties and salary. This is general information, not legal advice.
What is the difference between a junior, mid-level, and senior Python developer?
They are levels of the same role with very different scope. A junior Python developer is early-career, writing well-scoped code, fixing bugs, and building features under mentorship and code review while learning the stack. A mid-level developer works independently, owning features end to end and contributing to design without close supervision. A senior Python developer owns architecture for complex systems, sets engineering standards, mentors others, and drives technical decisions, typically with five or more years of experience. Compensation rises substantially across these levels. Because the expectations differ so much, write a dedicated job description for the level you are hiring rather than a generic one, and state the seniority clearly in the title so candidates self-select accurately. This is general information, not legal advice.
What skills should a Python developer job description require?
Start with proficiency in Python itself and at least one major framework appropriate to the role, such as Django or Flask for web and backend work, or data and machine-learning libraries such as pandas and scikit-learn for data-focused roles. Add understanding of APIs, databases and data modeling, version control, and testing and code-quality practices, plus familiarity with cloud platforms, containers, and CI/CD where relevant. State the real tech stack your team uses, name the Python version, and separate must-have skills from nice-to-haves so you do not screen out strong candidates over a secondary tool they could learn quickly. Tailor the depth of each requirement to the seniority and specialization of the role rather than listing every technology imaginable. This is general information, not legal advice.
What is the difference between a Python backend, web, and data developer?
All three write Python, but they specialize in different layers and draw on different skills. A Python backend developer focuses on server-side work: designing and building services, APIs, and data layers built for performance, scalability, and security. A Python web or full-stack developer builds complete web applications, pairing a Python framework such as Django on the backend with a modern frontend to deliver features from the database to the user interface. A data-focused Python developer builds data pipelines and works with data and machine-learning libraries, turning data and models into production code, and overlaps with dedicated data engineer and machine-learning engineer roles. Name the specialization in the posting so the responsibilities and required stack match the work. This is general information, not legal advice.
Should I hire a Python developer as an employee or a contractor?
It depends on whether you have ongoing work or a defined project. An employee is hired onto the team, classified under the computer-employee exemption, and onboarded like any hire, which fits continuing product development. An independent contractor is engaged for specific, time-bound work, paid without tax withholding, and reported differently, which can fit a discrete project or a short-term need. The classification turns on the actual working relationship, including how much control you exercise over how and when the work is done, not on what you call it, and misclassifying an employee as a contractor carries real legal and tax consequences. Decide before posting, because it changes the title, the offer or agreement, and the paperwork. This is general information, not legal or tax advice.
How much does a Python developer make?
Python developer pay is high and varies by experience, location, and specialization. There is no dedicated federal occupation code for Python developer specifically; the closest proxy is software developers, which the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported at a median of about 133,080 dollars as of the May 2024 data, with the lowest ten percent under about 79,850 dollars and the top ten percent over about 211,450 dollars. The related computer programmers occupation reported a median of about 98,670 dollars. Industry salary sources put Python developer averages roughly in the 117,000 to 133,000 dollar range, with senior developers above 140,000 dollars and junior roles starting lower. Benchmark to the specific level, specialization, and market when setting a range. This is general information, not compensation advice.
What should a Python developer job description include?
Start by naming the seniority and specialization, whether junior, mid, or senior, and backend, web and full-stack, or data and machine learning, since scope and required skills differ at each. Include a short company summary, a job summary that frames the role and the kind of Python work, and responsibilities grouped into building software, data and systems, collaboration, and quality and delivery. State the real tech stack, separating must-have skills from nice-to-haves. The most valuable additions that generic templates skip are clear seniority and specialization framing, an FLSA classification note on the computer-employee exemption, and a deliberate decision on employee versus contractor. Close with an equal opportunity statement and clear apply instructions. This is general information, not legal advice.
