Let’s cut through the marketing hype.

Every bootcamp website shows the same success story: someone who went from barista to software engineer making $120K in six months. The testimonials are glowing. The placement stats look incredible. And buried somewhere in the fine print? The reality is more complicated.

Here’s what the data actually shows: bootcamp graduates earn an average of $70,698 in their first job—solid, but not the six-figure payday many expect. Some grads hit $100K+ right out of the gate. Others struggle for months to land any offer at all.

This isn’t the article that tells you bootcamps are a scam. It’s also not the article that promises you’ll be rich in 12 weeks. Instead, we’re going to look at verified salary data, break down what actually affects your earning potential, and help you understand what a realistic path forward looks like.

The Real Numbers: What Bootcamp Graduates Actually Earn

According to Course Report’s outcomes data, the average first-job salary for bootcamp graduates is $70,698, with a median of $65,000. That’s not nothing—it represents an average salary increase of 50.5% compared to pre-bootcamp earnings.

But here’s where it gets interesting. Those numbers shift dramatically based on where you are in your career:

Career StageAverage Salary
First job post-bootcamp$70,698
Second job$80,943
Third job$99,229

The trajectory is clear: bootcamp grads who stick with the field see meaningful salary growth. The challenge is getting—and keeping—that first job.

What’s Driving These Numbers?

Several factors influence where you’ll land on this spectrum:

  • Location: California grads earn an average of $100,482, while Georgia averages around $46,571
  • Specialty: Data science pays more than front-end web development
  • Prior experience: Having any professional background—even non-tech—helps
  • Networking: Referrals still outperform cold applications

If you’re exploring how to switch careers to IT, understanding these salary realities upfront prevents disappointment later.

Salary Breakdown by Bootcamp Specialty

Not all bootcamp tracks lead to the same paychecks. Here’s what the data shows for different specializations:

SpecialtyAverage Starting SalarySalary Range
Data Science$89,300$75,000 - $110,000+
Software Engineering$75,100$65,000 - $95,000
Web Development$77,200$55,000 - $90,000
Cybersecurity$91,803$70,000 - $110,000
UX/UI Design$70,935$55,000 - $85,000

The cybersecurity and data science tracks tend to command higher salaries, though they also typically require more foundational knowledge. If you’re considering the security route, our cybersecurity career transition guide covers what you’ll need to know.

Why Data Science Pays More

Data science bootcamp grads earning $89,300 on average reflects a simple reality: the field requires more specialized skills. You’ll need statistics, Python, SQL, and domain knowledge—it’s not something you pick up casually.

Compare that to front-end web development, where the barrier to entry is lower but competition is fiercer. More graduates flooding the job market means employers can be pickier.

For those weighing options, our guide on choosing your first programming language can help you think through which path aligns with both your interests and earning goals.

Geographic Salary Differences: Location Still Matters

Even with remote work becoming more common, where you live (or where the company is headquartered) significantly impacts your salary:

LocationAverage Bootcamp Grad Salary
California$100,482
New York$71,957 - $74,756
Massachusetts~$70,600
Texas (Austin)$68,000 - $75,000
Tennessee$72,650
Georgia$46,571
National Average$69,079

According to ZipRecruiter’s state-by-state analysis, New York beats the national average by 9.3%, with top earners making over $109,000 annually.

The Remote Work Factor

Here’s the tricky part: remote jobs often base salaries on company location, not yours. A California-based startup might pay $95K for a remote role, while a Georgia company might offer $55K for the same work.

If you’re targeting remote positions specifically, our remote IT jobs guide covers strategies for landing higher-paying distributed roles.

The consensus on r/cscareerquestions and r/learnprogramming is clear: if you can relocate to a tech hub for your first role (or find remote work with a company in one), your starting salary will likely be significantly higher.

What Top Bootcamps Report for Graduate Salaries

Individual bootcamp outcomes vary considerably. Here’s what some well-known programs report:

BootcampReported Median/Average SalaryJob Placement Rate
Hack Reactor$80,500 - $109,00094% (within 120 days)
Flatiron School$85,000 - $95,00086% - 91%
App Academy$80,000 - $100,00090%+ (self-reported)
Codesmith$110,000 (median)70%+ (even in 2023-2024 downturn)

These numbers come with a massive caveat: bootcamp-reported statistics are notoriously unreliable. Some schools have been accused of inflating placement rates, sometimes by hiring their own graduates temporarily.

The Council on Integrity in Results Reporting (CIRR) provides independently verified outcomes data. If a bootcamp isn’t CIRR-certified, take their stats with skepticism.

What Reddit Actually Says

A recurring theme on r/codingbootcamp and similar communities: talk to alumni directly before enrolling. Ask about their actual job search timeline, not just whether they eventually got hired.

One pattern that emerges repeatedly: even graduates of top programs are reporting longer job searches than bootcamp marketing suggests. The days of cold-applying to jobs and getting quick callbacks are “unfortunately gone for now,” as Nucamp notes.

For a deeper look at placement realities, check our article on bootcamp job placement: what really happens.

The Job Market Reality Check

Here’s where we need to be honest about the current landscape.

According to Rithm School, a respected bootcamp that publishes its outcomes transparently: “This is the worst we’ve seen so far” for entry-level engineers. Placement rates across the industry are below historical averages.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics still projects 17.9% growth in software developer employment from 2023-2033—much faster than average. But “growing field” doesn’t mean “easy to break into.”

Why It’s Harder Now

Several factors are making the entry-level market more competitive:

  1. Layoffs flooded the market with experienced talent - Companies prefer hiring someone with 2+ years of experience over training a bootcamp grad
  2. AI anxiety - Some employers are uncertain about how AI will change junior roles
  3. More bootcamp graduates - The pipeline has grown, but entry-level positions haven’t kept pace
  4. Hiring freezes - Many companies paused hiring in 2023-2024 and are slow to resume

This doesn’t mean bootcamps are worthless. It means expectations need calibrating. If you’re coming from a non-tech background, understanding these market dynamics helps you plan realistically.

Factors That Actually Boost Your Starting Salary

Based on hiring manager feedback and community discussions, here’s what moves the needle:

1. Portfolio Projects That Solve Real Problems

Generic to-do apps won’t impress anyone. Build something that demonstrates you can:

  • Work with APIs and external services
  • Handle authentication and user data
  • Deploy and maintain production code
  • Solve an actual problem you or others have

Practice platforms like freeCodeCamp and The Odin Project offer guided project work, but the best projects come from scratching your own itch.

2. Contributing to Open Source

Nothing signals “job-ready” like having merged PRs in real codebases. Start small—documentation fixes, bug reports, minor feature additions. GitHub activity that shows collaboration matters more than lines of code.

3. Technical Depth Beyond the Bootcamp Curriculum

Bootcamps teach you enough to be dangerous. Standing out means going deeper:

  • Understanding data structures and algorithms (practice on LeetCode or HackerRank)
  • Learning about system design basics
  • Grasping fundamentals like how the web actually works

Our guide on how long it takes to learn programming covers what to expect for building this deeper knowledge.

4. Any Prior Professional Experience

Hiring managers consistently mention this: soft skills from previous careers transfer. Project management, client communication, meeting deadlines—these matter. If you managed a restaurant, led a team, or handled customer escalations, emphasize it.

5. Networking That Doesn’t Feel Gross

The data is clear: referrals dramatically improve your chances. But “networking” doesn’t mean spamming LinkedIn connections with ask after ask.

What works:

  • Contributing to open source communities
  • Attending local meetups and actually participating
  • Engaging genuinely on technical forums
  • Building relationships before you need a job

If you’re preparing for interviews, our technical interview preparation guide covers what to expect.

Should You Still Do a Bootcamp in 2026?

Given everything above, the honest answer is: it depends on your specific situation.

Bootcamps Make Sense If:

  • You can afford the time and money without excessive financial strain
  • You’re realistic about job search timelines (6-12 months is common now)
  • You’ve already tried self-learning and need structured accountability
  • You have a financial cushion to cover the post-bootcamp job search
  • You’re targeting skills that are genuinely in demand (not just “coding”)

Bootcamps Might Not Be Right If:

  • You’re expecting guaranteed employment in 3-6 months
  • You need income immediately after graduation
  • You’re choosing a bootcamp primarily for the financing options
  • You haven’t tried any self-directed learning yet
  • You’re in a location with limited tech opportunities and can’t relocate

For a comprehensive analysis, our article on whether coding bootcamp is worth it digs deeper into ROI calculations.

Alternative Paths

Bootcamps aren’t the only route into tech. Consider:

  • Community college programs - Often cheaper, with transferable credits
  • Self-paced online learning - Platforms like Coursera, edX, and Pluralsight offer structured paths
  • Certifications - Cloud certs (AWS, Azure, GCP) or CompTIA credentials offer different entry points
  • Apprenticeships - Companies like Microsoft, LinkedIn, and others run programs specifically for career changers

For those considering the certification route, our what IT certification should I get guide breaks down the options.

Building Skills Beyond the Bootcamp

Whatever path you choose, building practical skills accelerates your career. Here are resources that complement formal training:

For Hands-On Practice

  • Shell Samurai - Interactive Linux and command-line challenges for building foundational skills
  • Codecademy - Interactive coding exercises in multiple languages
  • Exercism - Free practice problems with mentor feedback
  • Frontend Mentor - Real-world frontend challenges

For Interview Prep

For Continuous Learning

Our guides on technical skills in demand and AI skills for IT professionals cover what employers are prioritizing now.

Salary Negotiation for Bootcamp Grads

Once you land an offer, don’t leave money on the table. Even entry-level roles have negotiation room.

What the Data Shows

According to hiring trends, employers typically budget 10-15% above their initial offer for candidates who negotiate. Bootcamp grads often accept the first number out of relief—understandable, but costly over time.

Practical Negotiation Tips

  1. Research market rates - Use Levels.fyi, Glassdoor, and Blind to understand ranges
  2. Negotiate the total package - If salary is firm, ask about signing bonus, equity, remote work, or professional development budget
  3. Get competing offers if possible - Multiple offers create leverage
  4. Practice your ask - Role-play with friends or a mentor

Our IT salary negotiation guide covers tactics specific to the tech industry.

Long-Term Earning Trajectory

The first job is just the beginning. Here’s what career progression typically looks like for bootcamp grads:

Years of ExperienceAverage Salary Range
0-1 years$65,000 - $80,000
1-3 years$80,000 - $110,000
3-5 years$100,000 - $140,000
5+ years$130,000 - $180,000+

These ranges assume continued skill development and at least one job change every 2-3 years. Staying at the same company rarely maximizes earnings—each move typically brings a 15-20% bump.

For perspective on where this fits in the broader tech landscape, our software developer career guide covers advancement paths.

FAQ: Bootcamp Graduate Salary Questions

How much do coding bootcamp graduates make on average?

Bootcamp graduates earn an average of $70,698 in their first job, with a median of $65,000 according to Course Report. This varies significantly by location—California grads average over $100,000, while some states average under $50,000.

Which bootcamp specialty pays the most?

Data science ($89,300 average) and cybersecurity ($91,803 average) tend to command the highest starting salaries. Software engineering ($75,100) and web development ($77,200) fall in the middle, while UX/UI design typically starts lower but has strong growth potential.

How long does it take bootcamp grads to find jobs?

Industry data shows 79% of graduates land jobs within six months, though current market conditions are extending timelines. Many grads report 6-12 months of active job searching in 2024-2025. Networking and strong portfolios significantly improve these odds.

Do bootcamp grads earn less than CS degree holders?

Initially, yes—but the gap closes quickly. Bootcamp grads with a bachelor’s degree (in any field) see a 57% salary increase to $71,267. By the third job, bootcamp grads average $99,229, comparable to many CS degree holders at similar experience levels.

Is a bootcamp worth it for salary alone?

If your pre-bootcamp salary is under $50,000, the average 50.5% salary increase makes bootcamps financially attractive. However, factor in bootcamp costs ($10,000-$20,000+), opportunity cost during training, and 6-12 months of potential job searching before breaking even.

Making an Informed Decision

Bootcamp graduate salaries are real and significant—but they’re not guaranteed. The $70,698 average reflects graduates who landed jobs, not everyone who enrolled.

Here’s what actually matters:

  1. Your starting point - Career changers with transferable skills and professional experience have advantages
  2. Your location strategy - Targeting higher-paying markets (even remotely) impacts earnings substantially
  3. Your timeline expectations - Plan for a 6-12 month job search in current conditions
  4. Your skill development - Bootcamp completion is the beginning, not the end

For those exploring tech career transitions, our complete IT career change guide covers the full decision-making process.

The best bootcamp graduates don’t just complete the program—they keep learning, building, and networking long after graduation. That’s what turns a $70K starting salary into a $100K+ career within a few years.

Sources and Citations