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Charleston, South Carolina is not necessarily the first city one might think of when they hear the phrase “tech hub,” but that could be changing soon. The region is home to 426 tech companies, encompassing giants like Google down to scrappy start-ups. Demand for technology roles, like software and web developers, data scientists and systems engineers is only set to increase as innovative organizations continue to take notice of Charleston.
So how can you take advantage of this hiring boom and level up your career? One increasingly popular option is to enroll in a skills-based bootcamp. Bootcamps in the Charleston area, specializing in fields like coding, cybersecurity and data analytics offer an opportunity to learn critical skills quickly and network and learn from local and international industry experts. Bootcamp participants in Charleston can look forward to exciting internship and job opportunities and opening up a new world of career opportunities in just a few months or less.
The job outlook for bootcamp graduates in Charleston is excellent and set to grow alongside the city’s industry. A primary driver of tech development in the city is the Charleston Digital Corridor (CDC) Foundation, “a community-sourced initiative to attract, nurture and promote the region’s tech economy,” via programming, networking and fundraising. The city has even earned the nickname “Silicon Harbor” and been included among the Top 10 fastest-growing software development regions in the U.S. Some organizations that call Charleston home include BiblioLabs, a hybrid software media company named to Inc.’s 500 Fastest Growing Companies and BlackBaud, a worldwide leader in cloud software with a specialization in the social good community. And the good news for bootcamp participants? These firms and many more are hiring: more than 170 according to a CDC report, with wages averaging almost double than the Charleston region as a whole.
Of course, you can’t discuss technology in the Charleston area without mentioning Google. The tech giant has invested over $2.9 billion in the region, including an additional more than $500 million in its’ Charleston Data Center announced just this year Google has also supported growth in the community via its “Google For Startups” program, which has benefited local organizations like LifeTagger, a content delivery platform that lets users control when content is delivered to their mobile devices. Additional startup growth has been fueled by Flywheel’s New Ventures accelerator and existing and new co-working hubs and tech centers for incubators supported by the CDC and city government. From coding and UI/UX experts to cybersecurity and data analytic specialists, the professional climate for bootcamp graduates couldn’t get much brighter. It’s easier than ever for candidates entering the job market to combine the “hard skills” they learn in data science, management, or development with their passions in entrepreneurship, automation and more.
Charleston is known for its high quality of living, combined with lower than average housing costs. It even earned a spot on the Top 50 Places to live in the U.S. according to CBS News. We’ve compiled a list of the average salaries for technology jobs in the city from Indeed.com. Roles with growing demand average salaries of more than $80,000/year and might see that reflected in compensation or additional cash bonuses.
| Career Field | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Software Designer | $89,598 |
| Data Analyst | $70,983 |
| Java Programmer | $95,208 |
| Back-end Developer | $94,039 |
| Front-end Developer | $96,611 |
| Software Engineer | $83,049 |
| IT Security Specialist | $90,662 |
| Developer | $103,806 |
