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A career in technology can offer a higher salary and greater job stability as the world becomes more tech-focused. However, in such a highly competitive field, finding the perfect place to start your job can be tricky. To give you some inspiration, here are 12 of the best cities for tech jobs where you may find a life-changing opportunity.
1. Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is home to the most bustling tech scene in the United States. For starters, it was ranked the Number One Tech Hub in the U.S. by Business Facilities Magazine in 2021 and has built on that status in 2022 and 2023. Prestigious universities like Georgia Tech, Georgia State and Emory University provide a constant talent pool in the greater Atlanta area.
“New York of the South” saw a 13.9% growth in IT talent and job opportunities from 2022 to 2023. Atlanta currently employs more than 220,000 tech-related professionals, which is almost a 50,000 increase from 2021. The city is home to many startup companies, many of which are part of the Atlanta Tech Village.
The Atlanta Tech Village is a business that offers workspaces and mentorship for aspiring entrepreneurs. They have launched over 300 startups and raised more than $826 million in capital. The supportive environment is perfect for new businesses. As companies continue to grow, there are plenty of job opportunities.
2. Austin, Texas
Austin is known as the “Silicon Hills” for its booming tech industry. Job opportunities in the tech sector grew by 12.7% in 2022 and show no sign of slowing down. The main sources of growth are the heavy presence of established brands like Google, Apple, Dell and Oracle. However, the capital of the Lone Star State has plenty of opportunities for small competitors too.
An excellent resource that makes Austin one of the best cities for tech jobs is Capital Factory. This company helps small business owners — particularly in the technology sector – connect with their first mentors and investors. Building connections can help start-ups flourish, adding to the growing tech economy.
3. San Francisco, California
Silicon Valley in San Francisco is the original tech hub of the United States, so it certainly belongs on the list of best cities for tech jobs. The Bay Area still has a thriving tech scene, are around 619,000 tech jobs in the city, and 38% are employed by one of the region’s largest tech companies. These companies include the main headquarters of Apple, Google, and Facebook.
Although Silicon Valley experienced a brief exodus of tech talent during COVID-19, the growth of artificial intelligence has caused a tech job renaissance in the area. The level of competition might be high in San Fran, but you won’t find a better spread of high-paying job opportunities anywhere else.
4. New York City, New York
New York City has its own “tech ecosystem” that employs about 369,000 people according to the latest statistics from 2022. This number marks a 32% growth rate from just a decade ago. Tech has also accounted for 25% of all new job opportunities in New York City and makes up about 7% of the city’s total workforce. Education technology is a popular sector with 262 prospering companies in the Manhattan area.
Another reason it’s one of the best cities for tech jobs is its growth in the life sciences. In 2021, Mayor De Blasio invested one billion dollars into LifeSci NYC. The company invests in research and development. The initiative is expected to create nearly 16,000 new jobs by 2026. If it has always been your dream to live in the big city, the tech sector has a place for you in NYC.
5. Los Angeles, California
Some people refer to Los Angeles as Silicon Beach for its rising tech scene. This city ranks second to Silicon Valley in the number of tech jobs in California, employing about 124,000 people as of 2023. So, there’s plenty of opportunities to find the right position for you. One of the reasons for this growth is the expansion of well-known companies, such as
Los Angeles is also home to a thriving media industry. The creative sector has produced 2.68 billion jobs and provides a $650 billion boost to the economy. Startups have begun to experiment with new technologies, such as virtual reality.
Another reason Los Angeles is one of the best cities for tech jobs is it has a home to top universities. California Institute of Technology, UCLA, USC and Cal Berkeley graduates provide a constant stream of quality talent for employers.
6. San Diego, California
San Diego was ranked the sixth-fastest growing market for software and tech workers in 2021, and it has lived up to the hype so far. The AI boom in California has also greatly improved the tech sector in Southern California. It ranks third in the state behind Silicon Valley and Los Angeles with about 71,000 active tech professionals.
To help foster new businesses, nonprofit StartUp San Diego educates and guides entrepreneurs. The nonprofit also builds relationships between startups and vendors. There are currently almost 5,000 entry level openings for tech jobs in the San Diego area, so start searching before they get snatched up.
7. Boston, Massachusetts
Boston is home to the most impressive talent pool of tech employees in the entire country thanks to schools like Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston University, Boston College, Tufts and Northeastern. The tech sector employs about 272,500 people as of 2023, which includes more than 5,000 new job positions in the last year alone.
Software developers and programmers are in high demand. You can earn around $117,00 per year as a software engineer. Boston is also a major hub for 3D printing, artificial intelligence, and AI. Start-up company DataRobot has raised $300 million in just the last few years, helping local businesses analyze market trends and consumer behaviors.
8. Portland, Oregon
Nicknamed Silicon Forest, Portland is among the best cities for tech jobs in the Pacific Northwest. Electronics are one of this region’s top manufacturing industries, and Portland is at the center. It’s home to Intel’s largest facility, which creates advanced microprocessors. Software and IT are also fast-growing industries, with a 45% employment increase in recent years.
Tech employment hit record highs in 2022 in terms of both numbers and salary. The city reached 109,000 tech jobs last year with an average salary of $126,000 — one of the highest rates in the nation. If you live in any neighboring states with poor tech sectors, consider moving to Portland.
9. Seattle, Washington
Seattle is another great city for tech jobs in the Pacific Northwest, employing about 350,000 people in 2023 despite mass layoffs in other industries. 80% of that number is located right in the Seattle metropolitan area, which is the birthplace of companies like Microsoft and Amazon. This city has been a grassroots location for highly successful tech companies for decades.
Similar to other cities on this list, Seattle is full of nonprofits that help small businesses get on their feet. If you would rather work in a smaller corporation, the Venture Out program is available. Their goal is to help people working in large companies launch their startups.
10. Chicago, Illinois
Chicago has the third-largest data center market in the US. The city’s extensive fiber network and affordable internet costs play a role. Chicago is also home to more than 375 start-ups and almost 250,000 tech employees. The city supports entrepreneurs through companies, such as 1871. The organization connects new business owners and provides guidance.
Chicago is also an affordable place to live in compared to Silicon Valley or New York City. This factor alone makes the Windy City one of the best cities for tech jobs. Rent prices can be lower than in other areas. It costs around $1,076 for a one-bedroom apartment.
11. Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh and the entire state of North Carolina as a whole is a great location for aspiring tech professionals. The tech industry here is still seeing steady growth despite economic issues. One of the sources that fuels this growth is the Research Triangle Park. The foundation is one of the largest research parks in the US.
The state capital of NC employs just under 40,000 people in the tech industry, which is about 8% of the city’s total population. Raleigh is also near some well-known schools, including Duke and the University of North Carolina. This place might not have the big metro feel of LA or NYC, but it’s still one of the best cities for tech jobs hands down.
12. San Jose, California
Although San Jose can’t compete with Silicon Valley or LA yet, it’s still the best landing spot for tech grads in the state and perhaps the nation. The city is home to over 6,600 tech companies including Adobe and PayPal. It also features Tech Interactive, which is a family-friendly science and technology center.
If you want to escape to a less expensive city in Cali, then San Jose is a good option. It’s more affordable than its surrounding metros like San Francisco and San Diego. The affordable cost of living combined with the thousands of small companies make San Jose the ideal place to launch your tech career.
The Best Cities for Tech Jobs
As technology becomes a part of our everyday lives, the job market will continue to grow. With so many places to set down roots, it can feel a little overwhelming. Everyone in the market for a technology career should strongly consider heading to one of these best cities for tech jobs.
If you’re still undecided about your location, Renovated’s in-house Where Should I Live? Quiz will help you make your decision.
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About The Author
Evelyn is the founder and editor-in-chief of Renovated with over 5 years of experience researching and writing about home living. Her passion project is writing about the real estate market and home staging. Her other passion projects include reading and exploring Lancaster for the best coffee shops.
Evelyn's work has been featured on National Association of Realtors, McKissock, Insights for Professionals, Appraisal Buzz, and Commercial Truck Trader.
For more articles from Evelyn, you can follow her on Twitter at @renovatedmag.
