In view of the principal limiting factors of semiconductor pump fiber laser for power raising, the advantages and disadvantages of tandem pump in the aspect of high power output are analyzed. The development of tandem pump scheme is briefly reviewed. The key techniques, research status and the latest progress of tandem pump Yb-doped fiber laser are presented in detail. In view of the tandem pump absorption and nonlinear effect, the next step research scheme and technical route are analyzed. The new application of tandem pump technology is briefly introduced.