2024 Capstone Salary Data Insights with Chris

2024 Capstone Salary Data Insights with Chris

Author: Launch School January 10, 2026 Duration: 1:08:08

In this episode, Chris shares insights from the most recent salary data for Capstone graduates who began Capstone in 2024. He highlights notable trends, including the return to office and the significant salary gap for roles based in New York City and the San Francisco Bay Area.

We then open the floor to student questions, covering a range of topics such as what incoming students can expect when entering Capstone in 2026, how AI is shaping the day-to-day work of software engineers, and how current students can best prepare for those changes.

At Launch School, our goal is to be transparent and provide students with the resources they need to succeed. Discussing the state of the job market and what it means for both enrolled and prospective students is an important part of that mission. We hope you find the discussion insightful and helpful.


For anyone curious about the deliberate, patient path to becoming a true software craftsman, the Launch School Podcast offers a grounded and insightful companion. This isn't about quick hacks or trending frameworks; it's a deep, ongoing conversation about the fundamentals of mastery itself. Each episode connects through the shared experiences of learning to code, drawing on voices from within the Launch School community and beyond. You'll hear from students navigating the curriculum, employers discussing what they truly value in developers, and seasoned engineers reflecting on the principles of long-term career growth. Discussions naturally explore effective study habits, the philosophy of mastery-based learning, and the practical realities of transitioning into a professional role. By focusing on the underlying process of expertise, this podcast provides a unique and thoughtful resource for anyone committed to a meaningful education in technology. Tune in for honest conversations that reframe the journey of learning to code as one of continuous, intentional growth.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 57

Launch School Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Capstone 2026 Updates: Adapting to a Changing Market [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:47
Launch School has been investing in students and AI while adapting to the evolving software engineering landscape. In this episode, we sit down with Chris to discuss what Capstone students can expect in 2026. Tune in for…
Major Curriculum Updates with Chris [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:51
In this session, we covered three big updates happening at Launch School. First, we introduced the new LSBot feature, which provides code reviews for exercies to help fill in support gaps. Chris touches on interesting qu…
S5E15: Daniel Nalesnik - Founder of HackChinese and Core Graduate [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:21
In this episode, Chris interviews Daniel Nalesnik, the creator of Hack Chinese and a core curriculum graduate. Daniel used the fundamentals learned in the core program to build his own business. They spend the first part…
S5E12: Missy Lovegren - From Fine Arts to Software Engineering [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:20:48
In this episode, Chris interviews Missy Lovegren, a Capstone grad and software engineer at New Relic. Missy was a TA at Launch School and part of a 2022 Capstone cohort. They spend the first part of the episode discussin…
S5E10: Felicia Bacon - A Lifelong Learner Thriving at Starbucks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:26:28
In this episode, Chris has a conversation with Felicia Bacon, a Capstone grad and Software Engineer at Starbucks. Felicia made a trajectory change after studying to be an architect for several years. Her core curriculum…