As one of the main tech hubs in the US, San Francisco is an attractive city for those looking for a career in the industry. Bloomberg Business found that although the average salary rate has declined by 0.3%, San Francisco still offers the highest pay for tech workers in the country.

If you’re looking for a tech job in San Francisco, there’s no better place to start than a coding bootcamp.

Whether you’re interested in better pay, more career growth and opportunities, or a fresh start, coding could be the beginning of an exciting new career.

In this article, we’ll cover what a coding bootcamp entails and help you decide whether an online or in-person San Francisco coding bootcamp is the best fit for you.

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Coding Job Opportunities in San Francisco

The San Francisco tech scene is full of companies looking to hire coding bootcamp graduates for various positions, from web developers to software developers and digital marketers.

Let’s look at a couple of the openings available in the city.

Centene Pharmacy Services

Centene Pharmacy Services is a leading medical care company in the US that provides high-quality health care solutions to members.

They are looking to hire a data science analyst that can provide analytical support for business operations like external reporting, extracting and reviewing data, and discovering trends.

Hive AI Solutions

Hive is a cloud-based AI solutions provider that helps clients understand their content and innovate their organizations.

They want to hire a front-end software engineer who can help them develop and design new features for applications. You’ll also be involved in web development.

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What Is a Coding Bootcamp?

A coding bootcamp is a specialized course designed to teach students the coding skills they need to work as web developers or software engineers.

Compared to traditional computer science programs, coding bootcamps are usually much shorter and more affordable, making them a great option if you want to gain practical programming skills quickly.

While a coding bootcamp doesn’t grant college credits, the certificate will still look great on your resume. Many employers value the skills that coding bootcamps sharpen, so you'll be an excellent candidate for software development and engineering, web development, and data science jobs.

In-Person vs. Online Coding Bootcamps

San Francisco's top coding bootcamps offer different formats, including in-person, online, or a combination of both.

• In-person coding bootcamps: Cater to people who like the atmosphere and structure of a traditional classroom. They have fixed scheduling and require in-person attendance, which can be challenging if you have other commitments, such as work or family responsibilities.  
  
• Online bootcamps: Greater flexibility and work with your schedule. With virtual classrooms equipped with video conferencing, chat, and forums, you can engage with the course material anytime, anywhere. Online coding bootcamps are also self-paced, allowing you to fast-track your learning or slow down as needed.

Generally, online bootcamps are more affordable than in-person bootcamps. Plus, you won’t need to spend any extra cash for transport, accommodation, or meals, and you can enroll from anywhere in the world!

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What Skills Will I Learn at a Coding Bootcamp?

There is a range of coding bootcamps that you can choose from. A full-stack developer course is usually the most comprehensive because it covers back-end and front-end development. After the course, you’ll have learned everything you need to get a job as a developer.

The best San Francisco coding bootcamps will cover:

Programming languages

You will learn how to write code using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and other tools utilized in full-stack development. These skills are crucial for both front-end and back-end web developers.

Web development courses

Many coding bootcamps emphasize building dynamic and responsive websites and web applications, ensuring that you gain practical experience in this field.

Software engineering

Coding bootcamps often cover the basics of a software engineering program, such as object-oriented programming, statistical modeling, data structures, data analytics, and database architecture.

Computer science basics

You will learn how the underlying technology works to provide you with a solid foundation of computer science principles. This includes how computer systems, networks, security, and databases work.

Career services

You will have the opportunity to create a professional portfolio and prepare for job interviews with guidance from our experienced professionals. You’ll also know how to job search like a pro.

How Long Does a Coding Bootcamp Take to Complete?

Most coding bootcamps in San Francisco and elsewhere can take anywhere from three to six months to complete, depending on whether you're a full-time or part-time student.

Altcademy offers self-paced online learning, meaning you choose when you want to study. For example, you can learn full-stack web development in 25 or 50 weeks, depending on whether you spend 5 or 10 hours per week on learning.

Key Benefits of Learning Coding with Altcademy

Altcademy is a cost-effective, 100% online coding bootcamp that practically prepares students for jobs at tech companies.

Our programs are designed for beginners learning from scratch and include front-end web development, back-end web development, and full-stack web development.

Altcademy also provides expert career advice and guidance to help students build a portfolio and prepare them for a tech career. The Altcademy curriculum ensures you graduate with the skills you need to pursue career opportunities in the tech industry. More than 85% of Altcademy alumni are hired within six months after graduation.

Learning coding with Altcademy allows you to:

• Save time: Altcademy offers flexible schedules and self-paced programs. Learn from your home, at your own pace.
• Save money: Altcademy is more budget-friendly than comparable coding bootcamps.
• Learn from anywhere: As long as you have your laptop and a stable Internet connection, you can complete the online classes wherever you are.
• Get constant feedback from mentors and engage with classmates: Altcademy offers private one-on-one conversations during office hours and fast response rates to questions.
• Enjoy lifetime access: Access the entire curriculum whenever you want, for as long as you want—at no extra cost. Pay once and learn for life.
• Build a great portfolio: Your mentor will ensure your portfolio showcases your knowledge and capabilities to potential employers.

Designed by experienced instructors and industry experts, Altcademy’s programs are recognized as one of the top bootcamps in the industry. The curriculum is regularly updated to keep up with the latest technology trends.

Here are just some of our accolades:

🏆 The Best Coding Bootcamps of 2023: Forbes

🏆 Top 3 Best Online Bootcamps 2021: SwitchUp

🏆 Best Coding Bootcamp 2022: Course Report

🏆 Best Coding Bootcamp 2022 and Best Online Bootcamp 2022: Career Karma

Coding Bootcamp FAQs

Is it worthwhile to attend a coding bootcamp?

Coding bootcamps offer specialized programs designed for the tech industry and provide a potential pathway to a new career. The best coding bootcamps equip you with in-demand skills and hands-on experience, enhancing your employability.

What does a coding bootcamp cost?

The cost of a San Francisco bootcamp in coding can vary significantly. Some schools charge over $15,000, while others offer courses for less than $4,000.

That’s why Altcademy stands out favorably among other coding bootcamps. Check out the Altcademy coding bootcamp fees for more information on our pricing structure.

Can you get a job with just a coding bootcamp?

With the high demand for coding professionals, completing a bootcamp can be an excellent way to enter the workforce as a web developer, software developer, or software engineer.

Notably, Altcademy's alumni have respectively gone on to work as a QA analyst at Knak, associate software developer consultant at Thrivent, API product manager at MyCase, innovation engineer at Elastic, and front-end developer at Influx Marketing, among many others.

How much money will I make after completing a coding bootcamp?

Coding bootcamp graduates often get relatively well-paying tech jobs. The exact salary will depend on the courses you’ve completed, your experience, and the company you work for.

Bootcamp graduates without a college degree can expect to earn an annual starting salary of between $52,000 and about $72,000.