Short-Term Course Salary Estimator
See how your short-term course choice compares to the highest-paying options in 2026. Based on real data from Irish employers and bootcamp graduates.
Your Course Selection
Why This Matters
Your choice of short-term course directly impacts your earning potential. The highest-paying option in 2026 is full-stack web development with salaries ranging from €55,000 to €75,000 annually.
Your Estimated Earnings
Course:
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Job Placement Rate:
What if you could earn more in six months than you did in the last two years? That’s not a fantasy-it’s happening right now for people who pick the right short-term course. You don’t need a four-year degree. You don’t need to go into debt. You just need to know where to look.
Top Short-Term Course for Highest Salary: Coding Bootcamps
By far, the highest-paying short-term course in 2026 is a full-stack web development bootcamp. These programs last between 12 and 20 weeks. They cost between €2,000 and €6,000. And they land graduates jobs paying €55,000 to €75,000 a year in Ireland and across Europe.
Companies like Stripe, Shopify, and local Irish startups are hiring bootcamp grads because they can build real apps-fast. These aren’t theory classes. You spend 8 hours a day writing code, fixing bugs, and deploying live projects. By week 10, you’re already working on a portfolio that looks like it came from a university grad.
Graduates from Dublin-based bootcamps like Code Institute is a full-stack web development bootcamp based in Dublin that offers intensive, project-based training in JavaScript, React, Node.js, and MongoDB. Also known as Code Institute Ireland, it was founded in 2016 and has placed over 1,200 students in tech roles since then. average €62,000 in their first job. Some even hit €80,000 if they land roles at fintech firms or remote EU-based companies.
Why Coding Bootcamps Beat Other Short-Term Courses
You might think data analytics or digital marketing pays better. They don’t-at least not consistently. Let’s break it down:
| Course Type | Duration | Cost (EUR) | Average Starting Salary (EUR) | Job Placement Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Stack Web Development | 12-20 weeks | €2,000-€6,000 | €55,000-€75,000 | 85% |
| Data Analytics | 16 weeks | €3,500-€5,000 | €45,000-€58,000 | 78% |
| Cybersecurity Fundamentals | 10-12 weeks | €2,500-€4,000 | €48,000-€60,000 | 72% |
| Digital Marketing | 8-12 weeks | €1,200-€3,000 | €35,000-€48,000 | 65% |
| UX/UI Design | 14 weeks | €3,000-€4,500 | €42,000-€55,000 | 70% |
Notice something? Coding bootcamps don’t just pay more-they pay significantly more. And they have the highest placement rate. Why? Because every company needs websites, apps, and backend systems. Every business needs software. That’s not a trend. It’s a permanent shift.
What You Actually Learn in a Coding Bootcamp
It’s not just "HTML and CSS." That’s the first week. By week 4, you’re building login systems with Node.js and Express. By week 8, you’re connecting a React frontend to a real database. By week 12, you’re deploying your app on AWS or Vercel.
You learn:
- JavaScript (ES6+), React, and Next.js for frontends
- Node.js, Express, and REST APIs for backends
- PostgreSQL and MongoDB for databases
- Git, GitHub, and CI/CD pipelines
- How to debug production issues under pressure
- How to present your work in a technical interview
These aren’t fluffy skills. They’re the exact tools companies use right now. One graduate from Code Institute told me he built a real-time chat app for a local pharmacy during the course. That project became his portfolio piece-and got him hired by a Dublin health tech startup.
Other High-Paying Short-Term Options (But Not as High)
Let’s be honest: not everyone wants to code. That’s fine. There are other paths, but they don’t match the pay.
Data Analytics is the second-best option. You learn SQL, Python, Tableau, and Power BI. You can land roles as a business analyst or data associate. But you usually need to start at a lower level. Salaries climb slowly. It takes 2-3 years to hit €60,000.
Cybersecurity Fundamentals is growing fast. With new EU regulations like the NIS2 Directive, companies are scrambling to hire even basic security analysts. But most entry-level roles require a certification like CompTIA Security+-which isn’t always included in short courses. You’ll need to pay extra.
UX/UI Design sounds glamorous. But the market is flooded. Many bootcamps promise you’ll become a "designer," but without a portfolio that shows real user testing and wireframes, you’re competing with design grads from universities. Pay is decent, but not top-tier.
Who Should Skip These Courses
These aren’t magic wands. They’re intense, fast-paced, and demand discipline.
You shouldn’t do this if:
- You hate problem-solving and debugging
- You expect to be handed a job without building anything
- You’re not willing to spend 4-6 hours a day outside class practicing
- You think "learning to code" means watching YouTube videos for a month
These courses work only if you treat them like a job. Show up early. Ask questions. Build extra projects. Network with classmates. Apply to 10 jobs a week.
How to Pick the Right Bootcamp
Not all bootcamps are equal. Some are just glorified video courses. Here’s how to tell the difference:
- Check graduate outcomes. Look for names, job titles, and companies-not just percentages.
- Ask if they offer job guarantees. Some, like Code Institute, offer a refund if you don’t land a job within 6 months.
- See if they teach modern tools. If they’re still using jQuery or Angular 1, walk away.
- Find out if they have real employer partnerships. Do companies come to recruit on-site?
- Read independent reviews on Trustpilot and Reddit. Not the testimonials on their website.
One bootcamp in Cork called TechLabs is a 16-week full-stack development bootcamp that partners with Irish tech firms and offers paid internships to top performers. Also known as TechLabs Ireland, it launched in 2021 and has placed over 80% of its graduates in roles at companies like Paddy Power and Fexco. gives students paid internships with local firms. That’s rare. And it makes a huge difference.
What Comes After the Bootcamp
Getting the first job is half the battle. The other half is staying relevant.
After you land your role:
- Build one side project every quarter. Even if it’s just a personal finance tracker.
- Learn one new framework or tool every 6 months. Maybe TypeScript, or Next.js 15.
- Join local meetups. Dublin has at least 3 active dev groups each month.
- Don’t wait for your manager to tell you what to learn. Take charge.
Many bootcamp grads get promoted faster than university grads because they’re used to learning fast. They’re not waiting for permission. They’re building things.
Final Reality Check
Yes, coding bootcamps pay the most. But they’re not easy. You’ll feel overwhelmed. You’ll doubt yourself. You’ll stare at an error message for hours.
That’s normal.
The people who succeed aren’t the smartest. They’re the ones who show up every day-even when they don’t feel like it. They don’t wait for motivation. They build systems.
If you’re ready to trade 4 months of your life for a career that pays €60,000+ and doesn’t require a degree-then this is your path. No other short-term course comes close.
Is a coding bootcamp worth it if I have no tech background?
Yes, absolutely. Most bootcamp students have no prior experience. The courses are designed for beginners. You start from zero. The key is consistency-not prior knowledge. If you can follow instructions, solve small problems, and keep showing up, you’ll succeed.
Can I do this while working full-time?
It’s possible, but not recommended. Full-time bootcamps are designed to be immersive. If you work 40 hours a week, you’ll burn out. Most successful students quit their jobs or take unpaid leave. Part-time options exist, but they take 6-9 months and have lower job placement rates.
Do I need a computer science degree to get hired?
No. Most Irish tech companies hiring bootcamp grads don’t ask for degrees. They care about your code, your portfolio, and how you solve problems. I’ve seen people with backgrounds in nursing, teaching, and retail land developer roles after a 16-week bootcamp.
Are online bootcamps as good as in-person ones?
It depends. Online bootcamps can be excellent if they offer live instruction, pair programming, and real-time feedback. But avoid pre-recorded video-only courses. The best online programs mimic in-person intensity: daily check-ins, group projects, and mentor sessions. Code Institute, for example, offers live classes and 1:1 mentoring-even for online students.
What if I don’t like coding after starting?
That’s okay. Many people realize coding isn’t for them-and that’s a good thing. The good news? The skills you learn-problem-solving, logic, attention to detail-are valuable anywhere. You can pivot to data analysis, project management, or tech support. But don’t quit before week 6. The first month is always the hardest.
Next Steps
Start today. Don’t wait for the "perfect time."
- Visit Code Institute’s website and sign up for their free 3-day intro course.
- Try freeCodeCamp’s JavaScript algorithms course. See if you enjoy solving problems.
- Join the Dublin Tech Meetup group on Meetup.com. Attend one event. Talk to someone who switched careers.
- Set a 30-day challenge: code for 30 minutes every day. No exceptions.
If you finish that challenge and still feel excited, you’re ready. The highest-paying short-term course is waiting. You just have to start.