Coding Bootcamps in San Francisco Guide
High quality, responsive digital products and services are more in demand than ever as they continue to power our day-to-day lives. For tech-curious Californians looking to specialize within the software engineering field, coding bootcamps in San Francisco are a valuable career investment within one of the nation’s top tech locales.
Silicon Valley has historically led the state—and, arguably, the world—in technology. Today, professionals are still in high demand throughout Silicon Valley, Oakland, San Francisco, and California at large. As a hub for exciting, innovative, and cutting-edge companies, the Bay Area offers uniquely challenging and high-earning opportunities for graduates of coding bootcamps in San Francisco.
CompTIA’s annual State of the Tech Workforce report suggests that the number of tech roles in San Francisco is increasing rapidly. For coding and programming professionals, in particular, San Francisco offers:
547,000 overall tech job postings, with about 186,000 identified as emerging tech jobs.
Median tech salaries that are an astounding 151% higher than median national wages, with typical coding salaries in California boasting $143,259.
Nearly 8% of the state working in tech roles—ranking #8 in the country for highest concentration tech professionals.
California’s tech sector is thriving, but is still projected to grow. Demand for software engineers in California is projected to grow by 39%, while coding job demand is projected to increase nationally by 25% over the next decade (bls.gov). Additionally, according to Knowledge Pillars, California ranks #1 for states with the largest talent gap: meaning demand for software engineers versus current professionals qualified to fill those roles.
Coding bootcamps in San Francisco aim to close this talent gap by equipping students with the skills they need to break into the web development field. These full-time or part-time specialized training programs are integral in helping students build a fulfilling, lucrative tech career.
Browse the guide below to learn more about coding bootcamps in San Francisco, and explore which options might be best for you.
Guide to Coding Bootcamps in San Francisco
Learning is never a one-size-fits-all process. If you’re exploring coding bootcamps in San Francisco and want to set yourself up for success, it’s important to keep your learning style and preferences top of mind.
For example, a bootcamp with pre-recorded content may suit motivated students with some coding experience, but beginners and students of all skill levels who prefer a hands-on, collaborative classroom may benefit most from live online instruction. Similarly, while all coding programs in San Francisco will require a high degree of commitment, some offer more support than others—especially when in the realm of career readiness.
Once you have a solid idea of your learning preferences, you can start the research process for your software engineering learning journey. There are a wide array of bootcamp providers, so how do you determine which is right for you without becoming overwhelmed?
Browse these tips for researching coding bootcamps in San Francisco to help you simplify the process:
Have enough practical coding experience and simply want to learn additional principles? Browse bootcamp websites for terms like self-paced, independent learning, and stacked or customizable modules (as well as varying start points and end points outlined in website content).
Looking for a fully immersive bootcamp experience to help you feel fully prepared to kickstart a career in tech? Browse bootcamp websites for hiring partnerships, career coaching, and student success stories within their career-oriented information. On the instructional side, look for terms like live online instruction, comprehensive curriculum, and practical or hands-on learning or skill-building.
What is a Coding Bootcamp?
Offering a wide range of types, sizes, formats, and scope of their curriculum, coding bootcamps in San Francisco are specialized tech training programs concentrated on building software development skills.
Coding programs in San Francisco also range in modality. Coding bootcamps may be online, in-person, or a hybrid of both. Strictly online bootcamps may also vary further in terms of pre-recorded versus live instruction and learning activities. Designed to be a more cost-efficient, less time-intensive alternative to a traditional four-year college degree, many online coding bootcamps aim to combine the guidance of a classroom environment with the efficiency of a software engineering-specific curriculum via live instruction and student collaboration.
A program offering’s definition of what is a coding bootcamp in San Francisco may differ between bootcamps in the following important categories:
Subject matter/curriculum. Perhaps the primary differentiators between programs, programming language(s) and corresponding digital tools taught in coding bootcamps in San Francisco may vary widely based on their intended career outcome.
Modality. Some fully online bootcamps rely on pre-recorded material to impart coding fundamentals. Others, like those offered by Fullstack Academy, focus on live online instruction supplemented by group and independent projects—helping students to learn by doing.
Career Success Services. Select online coding bootcamps aid students in their job search with career coaching services including resume and LinkedIn optimization guidance, interview preparation, and job board navigation.
Read on to help you determine which bootcamp features best suit you, your unique needs, and your ultimate career goals.
Why Choose a Coding Bootcamp?
Once you’ve acquired an understanding of what a coding bootcamp is, the next step is to decide if this career training pathway is right for you.
Often, prospective students of coding bootcamps in San Francisco want to know the difference between a specialized web development learning program and more traditional routes of higher education–like a computer science degree. Essentially, a coding bootcamp features only the most relevant subject matter integral to launching a coding career and is delivered in a fast-paced, streamlined format.
Specialized Coursework. Coding programs in San Francisco center around an industry-specific, skills-based, and career-oriented approach to learning.
Mode of Teaching. Active learning principles—which combine hands-on project building and traditional instructional time—aim to impart a diversified skill set.
Increased Flexibility Options. Bootcamps were created to suit the needs of adult learners who are balancing multiple life commitments. With that in mind, they typically offer a range of scheduling and format options.
Network Building. Bootcamp cohorts are great places for you to connect with and learn alongside other aspiring professionals—building relationships that can evolve into lasting career connections.
Portfolio Optimization. Either as part of the curriculum or in addition to it, you can create a compelling portfolio during bootcamp to show potential employers.
Proficiency with Real-World Tools. You’ll have the opportunity to apply your skills using tools integral to the day-to-day responsibilities of a professional software developer.
Typical Coding Salaries in San Francisco
Fresh coding talent is often in high demand for top employers hiring in San Francisco. Among them are universally-known brands like Capital One and Amazon—as well as large local companies like Lucid Motors.
Keeping in mind that salaries for web developers, programmers, software engineers, and other professional coders can vary based on a wide range of factors, typical coding salaries in San Francisco are significantly higher than the national median (bls.gov). Entry-level web developers in San Francisco can expect to earn an average of about $79,637 (Glassdoor; May 2023). For entry-level software engineers and software developers, the average entry-level salary nears six figures at $90,953 (Glassdoor; May 2023).
Discover more typical coding salaries in San Francisco:
Average Coding Salary in San Francisco
Web Developer: $115,841 (ZipRecruiter, May 2023)
Software Developer/Engineer: $151,011 (ZipRecruiter, May 2023)
Median Coding Salary in San Francisco
$106,429 (Lightcast™, May 2023)
Software Developer/Engineer: $109,441 (Lightcast™, May 2023)
Types of Coding Bootcamps in San Francisco
A quick Google search of “guide to coding bootcamps in San Francisco” may render results that include not only coding bootcamps but workshops, tutorials, and instructional blog posts. Those looking for an educational experience with a distinct career outcome in mind, like software engineer, can ideally benefit from online coding bootcamps.
Remember that the term bootcamp usually denotes a coding program in San Francisco that’s immersive, comprehensive, and offered online through providers like Codesmith, Flatiron School, Hack Reactor, and Fullstack Academy.
Fullstack Academy Coding Bootcamps
Fullstack Academy online coding bootcamps offer comprehensive coding instructions, professional career coaching services, hands-on application of real-world coding tools, and more—all within an immersive virtual classroom experience.
Explore the live online Fullstack Academy coding bootcamps in San Francisco:
Full-Time Software Engineering Immersive Bootcamp
The Fullstack Academy Full-Time Software Engineering Immersive is a 16-week immersive coding program for students of all starting skill levels.
Part-Time Software Engineering Immersive Bootcamp
Similarly, the Part-Time Software Engineering Immersive is designed for individuals of all skill levels and offered over 28 weeks part-time in a range of weekly schedule options.
The Grace Hopper Program Coding Bootcamp for Women
The Grace Hopper Program at Fullstack Academy is a coding bootcamp designed specifically for women and nonbinary students. Following the same high-quality curriculum as the Fullstack Academy Software Engineering Immersive, the Grace Hopper Program offers additional, experience-informed career support and is available in both part-time and full-time cohorts.
Fullstack Academy Coding Bootcamp Curriculum
Every Fullstack Academy coding bootcamp offering spans the same JavaScript-based curriculum and is designed to support all starting skill levels. The projects and prototypes completed throughout bootcamp come together to form a comprehensive coding portfolio and GitHub profile.
What You'll Learn
The Fullstack Academy Software Engineering Bootcamp utilizes an in-demand, JavaScript-based core curriculum.
You’ll also learn how to apply generative AI in web development using ChatGPT, Bing AI, and more with a free elective course.
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Foundations On-Ramp
The Software Engineering Immersive begins with a comprehensive Foundations on-ramp to support both intermediate and beginner coders. Designed to help all students reach a uniform skill level, Foundations covers the basic tenets of programming to prepare for the core curriculum—which moves through more advanced, specialized JavaScript concepts at a rapid bootcamp pace.
Foundational Software Engineering Curriculum
HTML and CSS
Introduction to JavaScript programming
Advanced JavaScript including closure, prototypical inheritance, and recursion
Web development environment and industry-standard tools
Foundations On-Ramp Features
Supports learners of all skill levels
Student-centered, inquiry-based learning in teams
Instructor-facilitated, live online classroom format
Immersive digital learning tools
At the end of this unit, you will complete a project to apply your skills
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You’ll study HTML5, CSS, and advanced CSS—and go beyond with fundamental Javascript concepts.
Technologies
HTML5
CSS
JavaScript
Git and GitHub
Concepts
- Web Interface and Design - You’ll learn how content and imagery are best displayed on a website.
- Front-End Framework - You’ll start to understand pre-written modules and their primary use cases in web development.
Features
- Pair Programming - Working with a fellow student, you’ll each use your newfound knowledge to write and optimize front-end code. This helps you build real-world experience and prepare for technical coding interviews.
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You’ll apply your JavaScript skills with the amazing ecosystem of libraries that have made JavaScript the industry standard of web engineering. We’ll also teach you to use APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) to connect to vast amounts of data to power your web applications.
Technologies
JavaScript
JavaScript APIs
React, React Router, and React Hooks
Redux
Concepts
- Test-Driven Development (TDD) - Particularly relevant in JavaScript development, the TDD methodology allows developers to test new code before writing it—preserving its former iteration in case of incompatibilities or errors.
Features
- Prototyping - Throughout bootcamp, you’ll begin each project by scoping, researching, and beginning to build full stack web applications—touching on every stage of a typical, real-world prototype development process.
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You’ll master data organization and storage by working with SQL relational databases and learn how to integrate them into your applications. Then, it’s time to start building your own full stack application!
Technologies
JavaScript
SQL
Projects
- Full Stack Capstone Project - You will work with a team of students to come up with an ambitious idea for an app, and start building it out. This will be the most impressive project in your portfolio and will demonstrate your full understanding of software development and industry best practices.
- Full Stack Project Pitching - After formulating your own idea for a web or mobile application, you’ll pitch it to the class. Taking market, design, and utility considerations into account, you’ll understand through your pitch process how development projects come to fruition in real-world scenarios.
Features
- Portfolio Development - As you complete your full stack web development projects, all your code will be housed in GitHub to demonstrate your technical prowess and creativity to potential employers.
- Career Coaching - Fullstack Academy Career Coaches are your one-stop professional development resource. They’ll work with you on core aspects of the job search–from interview preparation to resume optimization–throughout the final stages of your bootcamp experience and beyond.
University Coding Bootcamps Powered by Fullstack Academy
The Fullstack Academy flagship Software Engineering Immersive is available as an online coding bootcamp in San Francisco. Throughout the U.S., Fullstack Academy also partners with top universities to provide high-quality bootcamp training in coding as well as other in-demand tech subject areas.
The Cal State East Bay Coding Bootcamp powered by Fullstack Academy is a high-quality coding bootcamp in San Francisco. Over 16 weeks part-time or 28 weeks full-time, you’ll learn the essential skills and experience you need to qualify for entry-level web developer jobs. As part of bootcamp, you’ll also:
Learn from industry-experienced professionals
Gain hands-on practice working with other developers live-online
Graduate with a portfolio of projects to show employers
Receive current, industry-informed job search support
Be prepared for in-demand roles like Back-End Engineer, Front-End Engineer, Full-Stack Engineer, and Web Developer
Top Employers Hiring in San Francisco
Home to established and growing tech companies, top employers hiring in San Francisco are actively recruiting tech talent. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for qualified coding professionals is steadily rising across both technical and non-technical industries at a rate of 25% over the next decade.
Top employers hiring in San Francisco are looking for well-rounded candidates. That means prospective software engineers should have practical experience, interpersonal skills, and full stack development skills to gain a competitive edge—all of which can be acquired from coding bootcamps in San Francisco.
According to data from Lightcast™, the top employers hiring in San Francisco for coders and other tech professionals are Capital One, Lucid Motors, and Amazon. It’s worth noting that exciting opportunities are available in companies of all industries and sizes, and coding bootcamp graduates based in San Francisco may also qualify for a growing number of remote opportunities with organizations across the nation.
Coding Events in San Francisco
In addition to coding bootcamps in San Francisco, there are numerous ways to connect with the local coding community. Networking activities of all kinds can support your professional development throughout bootcamp and beyond.
At every stage of your coding learning journey, you can leverage remote and in-person networking opportunities, topic or tool exploration groups, and other local coding events to expand your network as you grow your coding knowledge.
Here are some coding events and meetup groups in San Francisco:
Events and Groups
Fullstack Academy Events: Discover free introductions to Fullstack Academy's bootcamps and attend career-focused seminars offering interview preparation advice and job-hunting strategies.
DevNetwork Events: DevNetwork is a developer conference series & professional organization where 50,000 annual participants discover what’s new in the development industry. The organization hosts in-person and virtual conferences and events where attendees may mingle with other developers, learn about new and exciting business opportunities, and keep up with the developer ecosystem at large.
South San Francisco Adult Education Digital Design Workshops: One is a series of digital design short courses, the web design course details front-end web development best practices for adult learners of any industry.
Founders Inc. Events and Media: Built to serve innovators and tech startup founders, Founders Inc. also hosts collaborative conversations both online and in-person, where attendees can discuss the future of tech.
Meetups
Design Systems Meetups: Hosted by Storybook, these meetups teach developers how to use Storybook and other tools to create front-end solutions that are both engaging and responsive.
Women and Nonbinary Coding Nights: Hosted by The Sudo Room, a creative community and hackerspace at Omni Commons, this series is intended for women and nonbinary coders of all levels to learn the ins and outs of foundational coding concepts.
Code and Coffee at Wrigley Coffee: Code and Coffee is a weekly meetup bringing together programmers of all ages, skills, and experiences in a casual environment to share, collaborate, and hack together. Historically hosted on Discord, the organization is now holding this event with in-person attendance as well.
Coding Bootcamp FAQs
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Coding bootcamps offer an excellent opportunity to break into the industry or advance an existing tech career. There are many benefits to pursuing a coding bootcamp. Students can expect to:
Gain hands-on experience with the latest coding tools and software
Learn fundamental knowledge from industry-experienced instructors
Acquire critical skills and build a professional portfolio of projects
Receive career support and job search assistance
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The typical salary for coding bootcamp graduates can vary depending on factors such as location, skills, certifications, and experience level. However, here are some average salaries for common entry-level coding positions, according to Glassdoor:
Web Developer: $62,013
Software Developer/Engineer: $87,054
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Coding bootcamps provide an accelerated learning path that typically lasts several weeks to a few months. Some bootcamps follow a strict schedule with live classes, while others may offer a self-paced option.
Fullstack Academy offers two coding bootcamp options: 16 weeks full-time or 28 weeks part-time. All classes are held live online to facilitate an immersive, active learning approach.