Coding bootcamps have reshaped tech education over the past decade — and the numbers back it up. Whether you’re deciding if a bootcamp is right for you, comparing it to a traditional degree, or researching salary outcomes, this guide breaks it all down.
Every stat below is linked directly to its source so you can verify the data yourself.
Let’s dive in 👇
Overview
Key Coding Bootcamp Statistics at a Glance (2026)
Here’s the TL;DR if you’re in a hurry:
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Global coding bootcamp market size (2025) | $635.8 Million |
| Average first-job salary for US bootcamp grads | $70,698 |
| Median salary increase over pre-bootcamp income | +51% |
| Bootcamp grads employed full-time (Course Report 2025) | 75–79% |
| Average bootcamp tuition (US, 2025) | ~USD $5,000–$20,000 |
| % of bootcamp students who are career changers | ~72% |
| Employers who think bootcamp grads perform as well as CS degree holders | 72% |
| BLS projected growth: software developer roles (2024–2034) | +15% |
| Monthly active open-source Web3 developers globally (2024) | ~23,600 |
| Established Web3 devs (2+ yrs tenure) growth YoY | +27% |
Market
Market Size & Growth
How Many People Attend Coding Bootcamps?
Short answer: tens of thousands every year — and the market has matured into a multi-billion-dollar industry. Course Report counts over 600 bootcamp programs worldwide as of 2026, up from fewer than 100 in 2015.
In the US alone, roughly 69,000 students are expected to graduate from bootcamp programs in 2024 — up from ~23,000 in earlier estimates that only counted full-time immersive programs.
How Fast Is the Coding Bootcamp Market Growing?
The market is on track to reach approximately $9 billion by 2030. A major 2025 milestone: Workforce Pell became law, extending federal Pell Grant eligibility to short-term training programs including accredited bootcamps — closing a policy gap that had long disadvantaged non-degree programs.
| Year | Global Market Size | Key Driver |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | ~$328M | Bootcamp boom, VC funding surge |
| 2022 | $2.65B (est.) | Post-pandemic reskilling wave |
| 2024 | $2.65B (verified) | AI integration, corporate training |
| 2025 | $3.28B | Workforce Pell signed into law, AI curricula |
| 2030 (projected) | ~$9B | Global expansion, employer co-funding |
Outcomes
Coding Bootcamp Job Placement & Outcomes
What Is the Job Placement Rate for Coding Bootcamp Graduates?
CIRR (the Council on Integrity in Results Reporting) is the gold standard for bootcamp outcomes data. Schools that report through CIRR use standardized, independently audited definitions — covering employment at 90, 180, and 360 days post-graduation, in-field vs. out-of-field roles, and median salaries.
- Course Report 2025: 79% of bootcamp alumni are employed full-time and it takes 1–6 months to get the first job
- CIRR: about 71% of graduates found jobs within 180 days, under strict in-field, full-time definitions
- SwitchUp: 72% of employers think bootcamp grads are just as prepared as CS degree holders
- Average time-to-hire post-graduation: 1–6 months
Important: CIRR’s definition of “employed” means full-time, professional work in a field requiring the skills taught. Part-time jobs, internships, and freelance work don’t count — making these numbers far more trustworthy than self-reported rates that often claim 90%+ without transparent methodology.
Do Coding Bootcamps Actually Help You Get a Job?
Yes, with nuance. Outcomes vary significantly by program quality, prior experience, geographic market, and specialization. Career services intensity is the #1 differentiator between strong and weak programs: daily mock interviews, resume rewrites, and employer demo days consistently add double-digit points to hire rates.
Salaries
Coding Bootcamp Salaries
What Salaries Do Coding Bootcamp Graduates Earn?
According to Course Report’s outcomes data, the average starting salary for a bootcamp graduate in the US is $70,698 at their first job — rising to $80,943 at their second tech job and $99,229 at their third.
| Role | Avg. Starting Salary (US) | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Full Stack Developer | $70,000 – $90,000 | Average total pay ~$99K–$100K; overall full stack ~$118K–$119K. Entry often $90K–$110K |
| Back-End Developer | $75,000 – $95,000 | Entry-level ~$74K (0–1 yr); junior backend ~$90K. Overall backend ~$103K–$117K |
| Front-End Developer | $65,000 – $80,000 | Entry-level ~$82K–$86K. Junior front-end ~$81K–$86K. Overall ~$101K–$122K |
| Cybersecurity Analyst | $75,000 – $95,000 | Entry cyber ~$73K–$131K range. Overall cyber analyst ~$127K. Bootcamp grads often start ~$75K–$95K |
| DevOps / Cloud Engineer | $85,000 – $110,000 | Entry DevOps ~$118K (high demand). Overall higher; entry range often $90K–$120K+ |
| Solidity / Web3 Developer | $120,000 – $160,000 | Web3 roles volatile; entry/remote often $60K–$100K, but high-performers $120K+ |
| AI / ML Engineer | $100,000 – $160,000 | Entry AI ~$125K+; ML range $53K–$184K. Bootcamp grads in AI start ~$100K–$140K |
How Much Can Your Salary Increase After a Coding Bootcamp?
Course Report data shows students enter bootcamps with an average pre-bootcamp salary of $46,974. After landing their first tech role at $70,698, that’s a salary increase of approximately 51% — or an extra $23,000–$25,000 per year.
80% of bootcamp graduates report a salary increase post-graduation, with nearly 40% seeing a $10K–$30K raise and almost 30% jumping $30K–$50K. High performers in Web3 and cloud roles in major tech hubs regularly report first-job salaries of $100K+.
ROI
Coding Bootcamp ROI vs. College
Are Coding Bootcamps Worth It Compared to College?
According to Course Report, the average 4-year CS degree at a public university costs approximately $163,140 in total (tuition, room, board, fees). The average paid bootcamp tuition? Around $14,000.
| Coding Bootcamp | 4-Year CS Degree (Public) | |
|---|---|---|
| Average total cost | ~$14,000 | $40,000 – $163,000 |
| Time to complete | 3 – 6 months | 4 years |
| Opportunity cost (lost wages) | ~$20,000 | $120,000 – $200,000 |
| Average 1st-job salary | $70,698 (Course Report 2025) | $75,000 – $95,000 |
| Salary at job #2 | $80,943 (avg.) | Converges after 2–3 yrs experience |
| Employer recognition | 72% of hiring managers value equally | Universal |
| Federal funding (2025+) | Pell Grant eligible (accredited programs) | Yes |
The salary gap narrows significantly with 2–3 years of experience. Many bootcamp grads at the 3-year mark earn comparable or higher salaries than degree holders in the same role. The real question isn’t “which is better” — it’s: Do you want to invest $14K and 4 months to be job-ready now, or $100K+ over 4 years for a traditional credential?
Demographics
Coding Bootcamp Demographics
Who Attends Coding Bootcamps?
The typical bootcamp student isn’t a recent high school grad — they’re a working professional changing careers. Here’s the 2024–2025 breakdown:
| Demographic | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Career changers (from a non-tech field) | ~72% |
| Students with a prior bachelor’s degree | ~50–60% |
| Female-identifying students | ~32–40% |
| Students aged 25–34 | ~48% |
| Students with no prior coding experience | ~71% |
| Online program enrollment share (2024) | ~72% |
What Is the Average Age of Coding Bootcamp Students?
The median age is approximately 30 years old. About 49.5% of bootcamp learners are age 31 or older. This signals that bootcamps primarily serve mid-career professionals — not school-leavers — which explains why the career change rate is so high.
Web3
Web3 / Solidity / Blockchain Developer Stats
How Many Developers Are Entering Web3 and Blockchain?
Electric Capital’s Developer Report — covering 902 million code commits across 1.7 million repositories — is the definitive source for Web3 developer data:
- Total developers declined 7% in 2024, but established developers (2+ years tenure) reached all-time highs, growing 27% YoY
- Established developers now commit 70% of all code in the crypto ecosystem
- 1 in 3 Web3 developers now works across multiple blockchains (multi-chain), up from under 10% in 2015
- Crypto has grown 2,000%+ in total developer count over the past decade despite multiple bear markets
What Is the Demand for Solidity Developers?
Solidity — the primary language for Ethereum smart contracts — remains one of the highest-paid specializations in tech. Based on industry compensation data:
- North American Web3 developer salaries: $120,000 – $250,000 across all experience levels
- Senior Solidity / smart contract engineers command $160,000 – $250,000+ in the US
- Established Web3 developers (2+ years) grew 27% YoY in 2024 — the talent pipeline is still tight
Are Blockchain Bootcamps Worth It in 2026?
The data says yes — with one important nuance. Portfolio work is non-negotiable in Web3. Graduates who deploy verifiable smart contracts, pass audits, and contribute to open-source protocols consistently command $20,000–$40,000 more than those who complete a bootcamp without substantive on-chain work. The credential matters less than the code.
Job Market
Job Market for Bootcamp Graduates
Do Employers Hire Coding Bootcamp Graduates?
Yes. According to Indeed, 72% of employers think bootcamp graduates are just as prepared and likely to be high performers as candidates with computer science degrees. A 2025 industry survey cited by Course Report found 84% of companies that recently removed degree requirements called it a successful decision.
What Is the Job Market Like for Bootcamp Graduates?
The BLS projects employment in computer and IT occupations will grow much faster than average from 2024 to 2034, creating roughly 317,700 job openings per year. Software developer roles specifically are projected to grow 15% — more than 5x the average for all occupations (3%). The median annual wage for IT occupations was $105,990 in May 2024, more than double the US median of $49,500.
Which Industries Hire Bootcamp Grads the Most?
| Industry | Hiring Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Startups / Scale-ups | Very High | Most flexible on credentials; skills-first culture |
| SaaS / Software Companies | High | Portfolio and GitHub matter most here |
| Web3 / Crypto / DeFi | Very High | Almost entirely skills-based; degree largely irrelevant |
| Fintech / Financial Services | Medium-High | Strong demand for cybersecurity & data roles |
| Healthcare Technology | Medium | Growing demand for health app developers |
| Enterprise / Fortune 500 | Medium | Some still require 4-year degree at entry level |
| Government / Defense | Low-Medium | Security clearance + degree often required |
Format
Online vs. In-Person Bootcamp Stats
Are Online Coding Bootcamps as Effective as In-Person Programs?
Post-pandemic, the data has largely closed the gap.
- Average salaries for in-person and online bootcamp alumni are nearly identical — both approximately $69,000–$70,000 at first job
- 72% of bootcamp students in 2024 attended online programs — now the clear majority
- Online bootcamps typically cost $10,000–$15,000, comparable to in-person programs
The key differentiator is no longer format — it’s structure and accountability. Synchronous online programs with live classes, cohort structures, and mandatory attendance produce outcomes far closer to in-person than asynchronous, self-paced alternatives.
Do Employers Value Online Bootcamps the Same as In-Person Ones?
For most tech employers in 2025–2026, yes. Employer recognition correlates far more strongly with the bootcamp’s reputation and verified outcomes than with the delivery format. A graduate of a reputable online program with audited CIRR outcomes will consistently be viewed more favorably than a graduate of an obscure in-person program with no published data.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people attend coding bootcamps per year?
Approximately 69,000 students are expected to graduate from US bootcamp programs in 2024 (Course Report). Course Report now counts 600+ programs worldwide as of 2026.
What is the average coding bootcamp graduation rate?
CIRR-member schools report average graduation rates of approximately 80–85%. Highly selective programs can reach 90–95%. Open-enrollment, self-paced programs tend to be lower due to less structure and accountability.
How long does it take to get a job after a coding bootcamp?
It takes 1–6 months to get a first job post-graduation. Web3 and cybersecurity specialists often place faster due to higher demand relative to supply. Graduates who actively network and build strong GitHub portfolios consistently land faster than those who rely only on job boards.
Is a coding bootcamp worth it in 2026?
For most career changers — yes. The core financial case: invest ~$14,000 and 4–6 months, gain a median salary lift of 51% (~$23,000+ per year), and reach breakeven in under 12 months. Always verify outcomes data through CIRR before enrolling — programs that won’t publish audited outcomes should be treated with skepticism.
What percentage of coding bootcamp graduates get jobs?
Course Report 2025 reports 79% of bootcamp alumni are employed full-time. CIRR reports ~71% under its strict in-field, full-time definition within 180 days. Self-reported rates from non-CIRR schools often claim 85–100% — compare these with caution.
How do bootcamp grad salaries compare to CS degree holders?
At entry level, bootcamp grads ($70,698 avg. first job) earn slightly less than CS degree holders ($75K–$95K per BLS data). However, by the 2nd–3rd job, bootcamp grad salaries ($80,943–$99,229) are competitive with many degree holders in the same role. Bootcamp grads also accumulate 3–4 years of earlier income that degree holders miss while in school.
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