Will a Coding Bootcamp Actually Get You a Developer Job? An Insider‘s Perspective

The buzz around coding bootcamps has grown rapidly in recent years, with many hailing them as a fast track to a lucrative technology career. But are these intensive programs really a viable alternative to a traditional computer science degree? More importantly, will they actually land you a job as a software developer?

As a veteran full stack developer and coding bootcamp instructor with over 9 years of industry experience, I‘ve seen both sides of the debate up close. In this in-depth guide, I‘ll share my insider‘s perspective on whether coding bootcamps can truly launch your career in tech, along with tips for maximizing your chances of success.

The State of the Developer Job Market

First, let‘s set the stage with some context on the current job market for software developers. The outlook is undoubtedly strong:

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 24% growth in employment of software developers from 2021 to 2031, amounting to 414,900 new jobs
Demand is high across industries, with strong growth in sectors like healthcare, FinTech, green energy, ecommerce, and more
The median annual wage for software developers was $120,730 in May 2021, over 3X the median wage for all occupations

However, while there‘s clearly strong demand for developers, many of these job openings require specialized skills and real-world experience that can be hard to gain from a 4-year computer science degree alone. This is where coding bootcamps come in.

What Do Coding Bootcamps Teach?

Coding bootcamps are short-term, intensive training programs designed to turn beginners into employable junior software developers in a matter of months. Most cover both the fundamentals of programming and the latest tools and technologies that employers look for.

A typical full stack coding bootcamp curriculum covers:

Front-end languages and frameworks (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React)
Back-end languages and frameworks (Ruby, Python, Node.js, Express)
Databases (MySQL, MongoDB)
APIs and web services
Deployment and DevOps basics
Test-driven development and agile methodologies
Foundational computer science concepts

The programs are heavily project-based, with students building portfolio-worthy applications that mimic what they would work on in a real developer job. This practical, hands-on approach is key for gaining the skills to be productive on the job from day one.

Do Employers Actually Hire Coding Bootcamp Grads?

Now for the million-dollar question – will companies really hire developers who only have a coding bootcamp on their resume vs. a computer science degree? The data says yes:

80% of employers surveyed think bootcamp grads are just as prepared and likely to perform at a high level as those with computer science degrees (Indeed, 2022)
72% of employers said they are more likely to hire a bootcamp grad versus when bootcamps first started, citing an improvement in the quality of bootcamp programs over time (HackerRank, 2022)
From 2021 to 2022, there was a 24% increase in job postings listing bootcamps as a qualification, and a 76% increase since 2019 (Burning Glass)

As the Senior Technical Recruiter at a Fortune 500 company put it, "We‘ve seen coding bootcamp graduates perform at the same level as their CS degree counterparts, sometimes even better because they have the most up to date tech skills. Bootcamp grads tend to be eager to learn, adaptable, and able to contribute faster."

Of course, landing a developer job after bootcamp still requires dedication and effort on your part. But the numbers show that employers are increasingly receptive to hiring alternative tech talent pipelines like bootcamps.

Bootcamp Graduate Outcomes & Salaries

Let‘s dive deeper into the hiring and compensation data of actual coding bootcamp graduates. Course Report‘s 2022 Coding Bootcamp Alumni Outcomes & Demographics Report surveyed 5,034 graduates across 104 bootcamps and found that:

The average starting salary for bootcamp grads is $80,567
79% of graduates found a job within 180 days of graduating
The median time to find a job was 62 days
4 out of 5 graduates say the bootcamp prepared them well for their job
7 in 10 are working in a job that required the technical skills learned at bootcamp

While outcomes can vary by program and individual, the overall data is promising. Many of the top bootcamps publish detailed job placement reports, such as:

Programming School 2021 Jobs Report: 86% employment rate for job-seeking grads within reporting period, $75K average starting salary
Fullstack Academy 2022 Student Outcomes: 85.4% placement rate for full-time grads within 6 months; $88K average NYC salary
Hack Reactor 2022 Outcomes: 70.3% job placement rate for SF campus grads within 180 days; $108K average starting salary

These numbers are on par with or even exceed many traditional computer science programs. For example, the University of California, Berkeley reports that only about 70% of their undergraduate EECS students take a programming job immediately after graduation, compared to 86% of Programming School graduates.

What Types of Jobs & Companies Hire Bootcamp Grads?

The specific roles and employers available to coding bootcamp graduates can vary based on factors like location, program focus, and prior experience. But in general, common job titles for bootcamp grads include:

Junior Software Engineer/Developer
Full Stack Developer
Front-End Developer
Back-End Developer
Software Development Engineer (SDE)
QA Engineer
DevOps Engineer
Technical Product Manager
Technical Project Manager
Sales Engineer

According to Glassdoor data as of March 2024, the national average base salary for a Junior Software Engineer is $98,462. Junior Web Developers earn an average of $81,029, while Entry Level Full Stack Developers earn $95,945.

In terms of company size and type, coding bootcamp grads have been hired everywhere from tech giants to nonprofits to government agencies. Major employers of bootcamp alumni include:

Microsoft
Facebook
LinkedIn
JPMorgan Chase
Accenture
Shopify
Spotify
Bloomberg
Honeywell
PayPal

A lead engineering manager at Spotify noted, "One of our senior back-end engineers is a coding bootcamp grad, and he‘s one of our top performers. We don‘t care how you learned to code, we care about what you can build and how you work with a team. Bootcamps offer a solid foundation in both."

Many companies also partner directly with bootcamps for hiring pipelines through apprenticeship programs, career fairs, and more. So if you have your eye on a particular employer, see if they have any bootcamp recruiting relationships.

Bootcamp vs. Computer Science Degree vs. Self-Teaching

Of course, I would be remiss not to acknowledge that coding bootcamps are not the only path to become a software developer. You can also go the traditional route of a 4-year computer science degree, or even teach yourself using online tutorials and courses.

So how do coding bootcamps stack up to these alternatives? Here‘s my take:

Coding Bootcamp Pros:

Fastest path to gaining employable skills (~3-6 months)
Curriculum is tailored to current job market needs
Heavy focus on hands-on projects and building a portfolio
Receive career coaching and direct connections to hiring partners
Lower cost and time committment vs. 4-year degree

Coding Bootcamp Cons:

No degree or formal credential awarded (although some now offer certificates)
Lacks the computer science theory of a 4-year degree
Need to learn supplemental tech skills on your own
Requires more independent learning and self-direction
Competition for junior developer roles can be stiff

Computer Science Degree Pros:

Gain deeper theoretical foundations in data structures, algorithms, math, etc.
Broader exposure to different areas of computer science such as AI/ML, cybersecurity, etc.
More opportunities for internships, research, extracurriculars
Degree from accredited university carries weight with some employers
Access to university career fairs and alumni networks

Computer Science Degree Cons:

Takes 4+ years and costs significantly more than a bootcamp
Not everyone learns well in the lecture-heavy format
Curriculum not always aligned with current tools/technologies employers want
Can be difficult to gain practical development experience as an undergrad
Less direct job search support and career coaching

As for the self-taught route, you can find all the resources online to learn coding for free these days. But be prepared to spend a lot more time curating your own curriculum, building solo projects, and networking your way to a job. The main drawback is you won‘t have a structured learning environment, deadlines for accountability, or formal career support like a bootcamp provides.

Ultimately, the "best" path depends on your unique circumstances, learning style, and career goals. But if you‘re looking for the fastest, most streamlined route into a developer career, it‘s hard to beat coding bootcamps.

Choosing the Right Coding Bootcamp

Not all coding bootcamps are created equal. With the explosion of programs in recent years, quality and outcomes can vary widely. To boost your odds of success, look for bootcamps that have:

Transparent, verified job placement rates and starting salary data
Rigorous curriculum taught by experienced instructors (not just recent grads)
Robust employer network and partnerships
Accreditation from recognized industry organizations
Positive alumni reviews and student testimonials
Scholarships, payment plans, and other financial aid options

Some red flags to watch out for include bootcamps with no outcomes data, unclear or misleading job guarantees, unqualified instructors, poor student reviews, and programs that seem to focus more on marketing than actual education.

Do your due diligence and ask lots of questions before committing to any program. And of course, be prepared for an intensive learning experience – you get out of a bootcamp what you put into it.

Continuing Education & Career Growth

Landing your first developer job after coding bootcamp is a major accomplishment – but it‘s really just the beginning of your new career journey. To stay competitive in the fast-moving tech industry, you‘ll need to commit to continuous learning and professional development.

Some ways bootcamp grads can continue leveling up their skills and advancing their careers:

Take on increasingly complex projects and leadership roles at work
Attend tech conferences, webinars, and local meetups
Contribute to open source projects and engage in the dev community
Pursue certifications in relevant technologies and methodologies
Consider a specialized "bootcamp 2.0" program to gain more advanced skills
Explore graduate degree programs like Georgia Tech‘s Online Master‘s in Computer Science (OMSCS)

The good news is that once you have some professional coding experience under your belt, the opportunities for growth are near limitless. I‘ve seen bootcamp grads go on to become senior engineers, tech leads, engineering managers, startup founders, and more.

As one bootcamp grad put it, "My coding bootcamp gave me a solid foundation to build my developer career. But it was just a launchpad – the rest was up to me to keep learning, building my skills, and proactively seeking out new opportunities. 5 years later, I‘m a Senior Full Stack Engineer and tech team manager. It‘s been a wild ride, but I‘m grateful my bootcamp gave me the start I needed."

Final Thoughts

So, will you get a job after coding bootcamp? Based on the data and my firsthand experience, I believe the answer is a resounding yes – if you choose the right program and put in the work. No educational path can guarantee you a job, but bootcamps provide a proven fast track to gaining employable skills and hands-on experience.

If you‘re considering a career change into tech, don‘t let impostor syndrome or fear of the unknown hold you back. With the right mindset, motivation, and training, you can achieve your goals. And who knows – one intensive coding bootcamp later, you may just find yourself on an unexpected new adventure as a professional developer.