Coding Bootcamps in Philadelphia Guide
As the birthplace of the United States, Philadelphia was built on innovation and determination for a brighter future. Known for its prominent historical sites, delicious food, and vibrant sports community, it’s no surprise over 1.5 million people call the “City of Brotherly Love” home.
While Philadelphia will always be known for its rich history, the city has also established itself as a thriving tech hub. According to CompTIA’s State of the Tech Workforce, Philadelphia’s tech sector is estimated to have a $35 billion economic impact, with over 100,000 tech occupation jobs available.
If you’re looking to break into the booming Philadelphia tech industry, there are many lucrative career paths to choose from. Some of the most popular tech occupations are in software engineering, programming, and web development.
In this guide, you’ll discover how a coding bootcamp in Philadelphia can help unlock the door to a career in software engineering, web development, and more. Plus, you’ll gain insight into typical coding salaries in Philadelphia and top employers hiring for those roles.
Guide to Coding Bootcamps in Philadelphia
Despite popular belief, in most cases, you don’t need a college degree to launch a career in coding. According to Indeed, many in-demand, high-paying developer roles don’t require a degree. In fact, some tech employers are beginning to loosen their degree requirements, with the CIO reporting that “structural resets” in tech hiring practices could open up 1.4 million jobs to workers without college degrees in the next five years.
Even though you may not need to earn a four-year degree to thrive as a coder, you’ll still need to pursue some form of education to gain coding skills and experience. One option is to enroll in a coding bootcamp in Philadelphia.
What is a Coding Bootcamp?
So, what is a coding bootcamp, and how can it help you launch a career in tech? A coding bootcamp is a short-term, immersive program that provides hands-on experience using the latest technologies. During a coding bootcamp in Philadelphia, you’ll develop job-ready technical skills through projects and group assignments that resemble real-world experiences.
While the curriculum for every coding bootcamp in Philadelphia varies, the programs typically cover popular programming languages, database design, pair programming, computer networking, and data structures. Despite the highly technical nature of coding bootcamps, many students have no prior experience, making them beginner-friendly.
Why Choose a Coding Bootcamp?
Why choose a coding bootcamp over a four-year degree or self-learning? Coding bootcamps are an attractive option for working professionals due to their flexible and convenient nature. Unlike traditional degree programs, coding bootcamps can be completed in a matter of weeks or months. Plus, many coding bootcamps offer online and part-time options to help accommodate your busy schedule.
In addition to enhanced flexibility and convenience, here’s a few other reasons why you should choose a coding bootcamp:
Experienced Instructors: At many of the nation’s highly-rated coding bootcamps, courses are led by industry-experienced instructors with real-world, professional experience. This experience allows them to better prepare students for a successful coding career.
Affordability: According to Course Report, tech bootcamps have an average total cost of $14,000—much less than a four-year degree. Plus, most coding bootcamps offer multiple payment options, including scholarships, personal loans, and government assistance programs to help decrease the financial burden.
Career Success: Some coding bootcamps in Philadelphia, like those offered by Fullstack Academy, provide career success services. Students can work with a dedicated career coach to help prepare for the job search. Their career coach can help them optimize their resume and LinkedIn profile, prepare for interviews, make industry connections, and learn how to negotiate their salary.
Hands-On Learning: Throughout bootcamp, you’ll get to work on real-world projects that you can use as a portfolio to showcase your skills to potential employers.
Typical Coding Salaries in Philadelphia
If you’re looking for a competitive salary, Philadelphia is the place for you. Based on data from CompTIA’s State of the Tech Workforce, median tech wages in Philadelphia are 105% higher than the national average. According to Indeed, developers and software architects are among the highest-paying roles.
While Philadelphia offers an abundance of lucrative opportunities, individual salaries depend on job title, experience, and company. To give you a better idea of what you can expect to earn, let’s take a look at typical coding salaries in Philadelphia.
Here are the average salaries for the following coding jobs in Philadelphia, based on December 2023 data from Glassdoor:
Web Developer: $85,656
Software Engineer: $108,078
Software Developer: $103,491
Now, here’s how the average salaries for those same roles differ by years of experience according to December 2023 data from Glassdoor:
- Web Developer
Entry-Level (0-1 years of experience): $66,282
Mid-Level (7-9 years of experience): $81,488
Advanced (15+ years of experience): $97,025
- Software Engineer
Entry-Level: $98,666
Mid-Level: $124,467
Advanced: $155,492
- Software Developer
Entry-Level: $81,787
Mid-Level: $99,272
Advanced: $117,542
Types of Coding Bootcamps in Philadelphia
Each coding bootcamp in Philadelphia caters to students of different skill levels, backgrounds, and professional interests. To succeed in bootcamp, the program you choose should match your schedule, goals, and personal preferences. To help you sort through the different types of coding bootcamps, here are some key points to consider:
Curriculum: Every coding bootcamp in Philadelphia has its curriculum. For example, some coding bootcamps focus on a specific programming language, like JavaScript. Others may be tailored to certain career paths, such as web development. It’s crucial to take a deep dive into the skills and technologies that are being taught to ensure they align with your goals.
Format: Coding bootcamps come in many different formats, with both online and in-person options offered. However, online coding bootcamps can vary significantly from one another in terms of their features and offerings. Some online bootcamps are self-paced, while others offer live, online classes led by industry-experienced instructors. When deciding between coding bootcamps, consider your learning style so that you make the choice that will maximize your knowledge retainment.
Schedule: If you wish to be successful in bootcamp, you need to find a program that seamlessly fits into your schedule—especially if you have to work while enrolled. A majority of coding bootcamps in Philadelphia offer a variety of full-time and part-time options to help you balance bootcamp along with other life commitments.
Quality: Not all coding bootcamps are created equal. Choose a program with a reputation for helping its students thrive as coders. To gauge a program’s quality and credibility, look at the qualifications of its instructors and where their alums are working. You can also contact former students to ask about their experience and gain more insight into the program.
Support: Starting a new career can be challenging, which is why it’s important to have a supportive community during and after bootcamp. When evaluating potential coding bootcamps, see what services they offer that can support your success during the program and help you land a role after graduation. Additionally, see if their alums are still actively involved with the organization.
To help you get started on your search, here are a few types of coding bootcamps in Philadelphia:
Fullstack Academy Coding Bootcamps
The Fullstack Academy Coding Bootcamp is an immersive online experience that empowers you to develop in-demand skills and experiences through a supportive and inclusive learning environment. Designed for students of all backgrounds and skill levels, this rigorous program helps individuals prepare for a career in tech.
Built on active learning principles, you’ll gain confidence in your coding abilities through hands-on experiences and real-world projects. Throughout bootcamp, you’ll work closely with passionate and experienced instructors who will guide you through key principles of coding.
The bootcamp is offered in a full-time format that can be completed in 16 weeks and a part-time format that takes 28 weeks to complete. If you need to maintain full-time employment while attending bootcamp, we recommend enrolling in the part-time option. Regardless of schedule, you’ll experience the same comprehensive curriculum.
The Grace Hopper Software Engineering Immersive Bootcamp
Fullstack Academy also offers a gender-allied learning experience through The Grace Hopper Program. Designed for women and non-binary coders of all skill levels, this program helps to address the gender gap in tech. Also inclusive and supportive, this program provides the same high-quality curriculum as the Fullstack Academy Coding Bootcamp, including full-time and part-time options, which can be completed in 16-28 weeks.
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.
Software Engineering Immersive Tools and Technologies
HTML5
CSS
JavaScript
React
DOM
APIs
Chrome Dev Tools
VScode
JavaScript ES6
SQL
Redux
React Hooks
Git and GitHub
Command Line
Graphical User Interface
Top Employers Hiring in Philadelphia
As one of the largest cities in the United States, Philadelphia is home to over 30,000 employers, according to the 2020 U.S. Census. The city is a booming financial services mecca, with many of the world’s most prominent banks and investment firms, like Bank of America and Wells Fargo, establishing headquarters. Philly also boasts a top 10 life science market, a robust advanced manufacturing sector, and an innovative ecosystem of technology leaders.
With such a diverse economy, Philadelphia offers ample opportunity for aspiring tech professionals to launch a coding career. Here are a few of the top employers hiring in Philadelphia, according to Glassdoor:
JPMorgan Chase & Co.: As one of the world’s oldest and largest financial institutions, JPMorgan Chase & Co. can be a great place to kickstart your career. The company hires software engineers to help develop web services and applications.
Lockheed Martin: A leading global security and aerospace company, Lockheed Martin is committed to innovation. As a software engineer, you’ll have the opportunity to work on groundbreaking projects, building a brighter future.
Capital One: Specializing in banking, credit cards, and auto loans, Capital One is one of the most well-known financial institutions in the world. The company looks for software engineers to help drive digital transformation across the organization.
Coding Events in Philadelphia
Skill development is just one factor of the equation for kickstarting a career in tech. In order to thrive, you’ll need to expand your network and stay up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies. Attending industry events and meetups can be a great way to keep your skills sharp and make new connections with fellow coders. Here are a few popular coding events in Philadelphia:
Events and Groups
- Fullstack Academy Events: Attend free infosessions for the Fullstack Academy Coding Bootcamp along with knowledgable career-focused webinars on job hunting, interview preparation, salary negotiation, and more.
- Philly Tech Week: Each year, the city hosts a week-long series of events for technologists and innovators. Attendees can learn more about the latest trends, network, and share their ideas.
- Philly CodeFest: Presented by Drexel University's College of Computing & Informatics (CCI), Philly CodeFest brings together students and professionals from all backgrounds to solve real-world challenges using technology.
Meetups
- Code for Philly: This group of civic technologists works alongside members of the community and local government officials to build a better future in Philadelphia.
- Code CoOp Philadelphia: Connect with other aspiring coders and take part in workshops, info sessions, and panels led by professional software developers.
- philly.NET: This non-profit group holds monthly meetups, hands-on activities, and code camps at the Microsoft Technology Center. A majority of events focus on general software development topics.
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.
Sources
- CompTIA State of the Workforce Report
- Indeed: 22 High-Paying Tech Jobs That Don't Require a Degree To Consider
- CIO: The 4-year debate: Do degree requirements still matter for IT?
- Select Greater Philadelphia: Key Industries
- The Ultimate Guide to Coding Bootcamps in 2023
- Glassdoor: How much does a Software Developer make in Philadelphia, PA?
- Glassdoor: How much does a Software Engineer make in Philadelphia, PA?
- How much does a Web Developer make in Philadelphia, PA?
