Coding Bootcamps in Washington DC Guide
As true for the nation’s capital as it is for anywhere else in the United States, we increasingly rely on digital products to power our personal and professional lives. However, the Washington D.C. area is uniquely positioned to offer a particularly wide range of opportunities to current and prospective tech professionals.
For those individuals, coding bootcamps in Washington D.C. are a lasting, valuable career investment.
While the center of our federal government, D.C. is also at the center of commerce for a range of industries—including tech. It’s a hub for exciting, innovative, and cutting-edge companies and government and nonprofit organizations alike. No matter what your ideal position looks like, there are many challenging and high-earning opportunities for graduates of coding bootcamps in Washington D.C.
CompTIA’s annual State of the Tech Workforce report suggests that the number of tech roles in Washington D.C. is increasing rapidly. For coding and programming professionals, in particular, Washington D.C. offers:
An extremely high number of overall tech job postings at 286,000, with about 64,000 of those identified as emerging tech jobs.
Median tech salaries that are 95% higher than median national wages, with typical coding salaries in Washington D.C. boasting an average of $123,846 per year.
Nearly 11% of the D.C.-Arlington-Alexandria metro are residents working in tech roles—ranking #5 out of 49 major metro areas in the country for the highest concentration of tech professionals.
Meanwhile, demand for software engineers is significantly on the rise—in D.C. and nationwide. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for software engineers and other professional programmers is expected to grow by 25% over the next decade. This is more than 4 times greater than the average 10-year projected growth for all professions, which stands at about 6%.
To help meet this demand, coding bootcamps in Washington D.C. aim to graduate students of all backgrounds 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 Washington D.C., and explore which options might be best for you.
Guide to Coding Bootcamps in Washington DC
Learning is never a one-size-fits-all process. If you’re exploring coding bootcamps in Washington D.C. 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 Washington D.C. will require a high degree of commitment, some offer more support than others—especially when in the realm of career readiness.
Once you’ve determined your ideal learning environment and preferences, you can start to research software engineering career training options. There are a wide array of bootcamp providers, however, so how do you determine which is right for you without becoming overwhelmed?
Browse these tips for researching coding bootcamps in Washington D.C. 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?
Coding bootcamps are tech training programs concentrated on building software development skills. Although coding programs vary by provider, type, programming languages, and more, a bootcamp is typically built around a specific coding career outcome or long-term goal for its students.
Coding programs in Washington D.C. also range in modality. They may be held in an online classroom, a physical classroom, via self-led, digital materials, or a combination of all 3. Because coding bootcamps were created to be more cost-efficient and less time-intensive than traditional degree programs, many aim to combine the guidance of a classroom environment with the intensity and efficiency of a software engineering-specific curriculum via live instruction and student collaboration.
All this to say that the definition of what is a coding bootcamp in Washington D.C. may differ in the following ways:
Subject matter/curriculum: Perhaps the primary differentiators between programs, programming language(s) and corresponding digital tools taught in coding bootcamps in Washington D.C. 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 Washington D.C. 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 programming and is delivered in a fast-paced, streamlined format.
Specialization. Coding programs feature a specialized curriculum using industry tools—so you can graduate with future-forward development skills.
Instructional Model. Online coding bootcamps in particular utilize active learning principles—which combine hands-on project building with traditional classroom learning.
Increased Flexibility Options. A bootcamp model is meant to meet 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. Your cohort is an ideal community 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 a day in the life of a professional software developer.
Typical Coding Salaries in Washington DC
Coding talent is often in high demand for top employers hiring in Washington D.C. and Virginia. Among them are universally-known brands like Capital One and Amazon—as well as large local companies like Leidos.
Based on a wide range of factors, typical coding salaries in Washington D.C. can vary significantly between web developers, programmers, software engineers, and other professional coders. However, median tech salaries in Virginia and D.C. are higher than the national median. Entry-level web developers in Washington D.C. can expect to earn an annual average of about $52,995 (Indeed; February 2024). For software engineers and software developers, the average annual salary exceeds six figures at $123,997 (Indeed; February 2024).
See more typical coding salaries in Washington D.C. and the surrounding northern Virginia area below:
Average Coding Salaries in Washington D.C.
Web Developer: $109,923 (Indeed; February 2024)
Software Developer/Engineer: $123,997 (Indeed; February 2024)
Average Coding Salaries in Virginia
Web Developer: $93,155 (Indeed; February 2024)
Software Developer/Engineer: $117,730 (Indeed; February 2024)
Types of Coding Bootcamps in Washington DC
When you’re looking for a comprehensive guide to coding bootcamps in Washington D.C., you may encounter a list of coding bootcamps alongside workshops, tutorials, and instructional blog posts. Career-minded individuals will likely benefit most from the immersive nature of an online bootcamp, but may also still find value in these shorter, less in-depth, or free resources to gauge their interest in coding before enrolling.
Remember that the term bootcamp usually denotes a coding program that’s immersive, comprehensive, and offered online through providers like Fullstack Academy—one of the longest-running tech bootcamps in the nation.
Fullstack Academy Coding Bootcamps
Fullstack Academy online coding bootcamps offer comprehensive, live online instruction, professional career coaching services, hands-on application using real-world coding tools, and more—all within an immersive virtual classroom experience.
Explore the live online Fullstack Academy coding bootcamps in Washington D.C.:
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 prospective software developers. Following the same high-quality curriculum as the Fullstack Academy Software Engineering Immersive, the Grace Hopper Program offers additional career support tailored to fit the unique needs of its students.
Fullstack Academy Coding Bootcamp Curriculum
All of Fullstack Academy’s coding bootcamp offerings center on a JavaScript-based curriculum and are 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
Available online nearly anywhere in the U.S., the Fullstack Academy flagship Software Engineering Immersive is a great option for a coding bootcamp. However, 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 Virginia Tech Coding Bootcamp powered by Fullstack Academy offers the same caliber coding program in Washington D.C. 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 Washington DC
Home to both established and growing companies of all industries, top employers hiring in Washington D.C. 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 Washington D.C. 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 Washington D.C.
According to data from Lightcast™, the top employers hiring in Washington D.C. and Virginia 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 Washington D.C. may also qualify for a growing number of remote opportunities with organizations across the nation.
Coding Events in Washington DC
Outside of coding bootcamps in Washington D.C. or in addition to them, there are numerous ways to connect and build relationships with your local coding community. Plus, events and networking activities of all kinds can support your professional development throughout your career in tech.
Discover coding events and meetup groups in Washington D.C.:
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.
Women Who Code DC: As the largest and most active community of engineers dedicated to inspiring women to excel in technology careers, the DC chapter of Women Who Code offers free events, discussions, lightning talks, meetups and more.
Tech Talk DC: Held in Arlington, VA these tech talks explore new tools, technologies, and innovations in software development through presentations and open discussion.
Meetups
Coffee and Code: Intended for coders of all levels, from beginners to experienced software engineers, coffee and code meetups encourage participants to bring their web or app projects to troubleshoot with others—building responsive products through collaboration.
Virtual Code & Chill: Hosted by Black Software Engineers of NYC, this event is intended for Black technologists anywhere in the U.S. to build a professional network and sharpen their coding skills.
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.