Coding boot camps offer an alternative path to a rewarding career in tech.
Guest post by Career Karma
Coding boot camps were created as an alternative to bachelor’s degrees in computer science. Instead of going through a three-to-five-year education process and incurring the high cost of tuition, boot camp students can obtain a comparable level of coding instruction for a lower expenditure of time and money. At first, people were skeptical about how someone could get a good job through this path, but today there are many coding boot camp graduates who have rewarding and challenging careers in tech and earn a great salary.
Below, we discuss some of the benefits of coding boot camp programs as well as the earnings potential for three main career paths in tech.
Benefits of Coding Boot Camp Programs
Employment-Oriented Education
Most coding boot camp schools are focused on teaching you the tech skills you’ll need to be successful on the job. They’ll train you to create outcome-driven products, stay up-to-date with current trends, and be prepared for the challenges you’ll face in the field. Some schools even provide you with continuous mentorship after you graduate to help you get hired.
When you are considering different coding boot camps and reviewing the quality of the various program offerings, also take a look at employment rate statistics. Look for programs that are transparent about their employment rates. Some schools offer a money-back guarantee based upon employment success after graduation. (Hack Reactor, for example, allows you to pay only $700 until you get a position. The estimated time they give you to find a position is six months, and if you don’t find any by that time, they’ll refund your money.)
Up-to-Date Education
Most boot camp programs maintain constant contact with tech companies in the field. This way, they’re able to stay current with the latest trends in tech. That’s one of the reasons why coding boot camp graduates are often preferred by some companies.
The tech world moves quickly and changes constantly. Universities can offer an immersive education in many ways, but their curricula may be theory-based or not as agile as other programs. Many coding boot camps also offer advanced lab environments similar to the ones you’ll see in the tech industry.
Opportunities to Expand and Develop Your Network
Coding boot camps are a great place to start networking. When you’re taking these courses, you’ll get to know influential people in the tech industry, whether they’re your teachers, mentors, or even your classmates.
Most boot camp programs also offer special benefits and recognition to outstanding students. This could be a great opportunity for you to showcase your skills and stand out when you go on to apply for employment.
Earnings Potential for Coding Boot Camp Grads
According to Course Report, coding boot camp graduates usually get a job within 120 days, and the average salary is $70,000. Some boot camp graduates may also experience a 50% salary increase about two years after graduation. This, of course, depends upon many factors, such as the specialization you pursue (software development, web development, mobile development, etc.). Some of these specialties earn more than others, as discussed below.
You should also consider the estimated average earnings in the city in which you live. For example, San Francisco developers may earn more than developers in other cities. Keep in mind that being a software developer allows you to work remotely. Some digital workers reside in a city in which the average salary is high and the cost of living is low.
Here, we’ll show you the estimated earnings potential of the following specialties:
Software Engineering
The estimated salary for software engineering varies, depending on the city and other factors. According to ZipRecruiter, software developers can earn from $78,000 to $115,000 annually. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national average salary of a software engineer is $105,000. This also depends on the level of experience you have. While a junior engineer could earn $55,000, a senior software engineer could make up to $188,000.
Software engineers in San Francisco typically earn higher salaries compared to those in other cities. For example, in San Francisco, the annual salary for a software engineer would be about $115,000, while software engineers at Atlanta would earn up to $99,000.
Web Development
According to Glassdoor, web developers’ estimated annual salary nationwide is $73,000. This is also close to the potential earnings of a coding boot camp graduate according to Course Report’s statistics. While web developers in Atlanta, for instance, could make up to $77,000 annually, web developers in San Francisco could earn up to $100,000. Of course, the cost of living in San Francisco is higher than in Atlanta. Besides, junior web developers could begin with an annual salary of $55,000 nationwide, but this can change with time and experience.
Mobile Development
Since apps have become so widespread in our lives, it is no surprise to see that mobile development is in high demand today. And with this rise in demand, mobile developers are able to command higher salaries. According to Career Karma’s article (citing figures from Glassdoor), mobile developers could earn more than $113,000 nationwide on an annual basis. These figures also depend on the type of development (whether Android or iOS). According to the same article, if you prefer Android, you could expect a salary of $111,000, while iOS developers could make up to $113,000.
If we analyze the local salary for Android developers in San Francisco and Atlanta, for instance, we’ll notice that the San Francisco salary is $126,000 while Atlanta Android developers earn up to $80,000. Experience, of course, also affects the salary level. Seasoned Android developers could expect a salary of $127,000, while senior iOS developers could earn up to $133,000.
Summary
Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer science isn’t mandatory anymore, for the purposes of obtaining employment in the tech field. Many companies have loosened their strict requirements of a tech degree and, instead, are focusing on skill sets, talent, and experience.
Coding boot camps can help you develop your skills and talent, and put you on the path toward a rewarding and high-paying career. They offer a cutting-edge education, provide mentorship and networking opportunities, and give you the tools you’ll need to become an employed and successful tech professional.
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Career Karma helps people become software engineers by matching them with the right coding boot camp and giving them support throughout their careers.
