The 10 Best Cities for Tech Jobs

2023-02-19 -

The tech industry has transformed the U.S. economy as well as the way we work and spend our free time. As tech continues to impact new areas of our lives, this rapidly growing tech sector also continues to pay well and offer good job security.

If you want to pursue a career in tech, you’re probably wondering how to get a job in tech and whether you’ll need to move to get that tech job. Below, we’ll share a few stats about the tech industry and the best cities for tech jobs in the U.S.

The Tech Industry: A Snapshot

Before you pack up your life to move to a new city for a tech job, you might want to know a little more about the industry:

• The tech industry amounts to about 10.5 percent of U.S economic value, or about $1.7 trillion.

• Worldwide, the industry exceeds $5.2 trillion.

• Some fast-growing tech sectors are software, semiconductors, and emerging tech.

• There are over 585,000 tech companies in the U.S.

• At about 32% of global markets, the S. is the world’s largest tech market.

The 10 Best Tech Cities in the U.S. 1. Austin, Texas

Austin is a rapidly growing city that entices new residents with a relatively low cost of living, a friendly business climate, and no state income tax. Austin is nicknamed “Silicon Hills” because it has the sixth-most tech jobs in the U.S. and is home to IBM, Amazon, Dell, and Tesla.

A large segment of the population in Austin is in the 25-to40 age bracket due to the local night life and music scene, as well as huge annual events like the South by Southwest festival. This makes it one of the best cities for tech jobs if you’re just starting your career.

• Percentage of workforce in tech: About 17%

• Median salary of a software developer/engineer: $104,120

• Cost of living index: 129.4

• Common tech jobs: Computer science, IT

Find tech jobs in Austin on Monster.

2. Seattle, Washington

If you want to work in an established technology center instead of an up-and-coming one, Seattle is one of the best cities for tech jobs. Seattle has been a top destination for tech since the 1990s due to the presence of major industry players like Microsoft and Amazon. Tech jobs are expected to grow by 8.7 percent over the next few years, which far exceeds the projected national growth rates. The city is also home to many startups and venture capitalist investments. Seattle is popular among recent college graduates and its population skews young.

This green city has lush parks, waterfront restaurants, and popular sights like the Pike Place Market and the Space Needle.

• Percentage of workforce in tech: About 9%

• Median salary of a software developer: $112,140

• Cost of living index: 167.8

• Common tech jobs: software developer

Find tech jobs in Seattle on Monster.

3. San Jose, California

San Jose has been considered the center of Silicon Valley for many years and may be the U.S.’s very first tech hub. This is one of the best cities for tech jobs if you want to work for one of the biggest tech companies. The city and its surroundings are home to the headquarters of Cisco Systems, eBay, Adobe Inc., PayPal, Zoom, Google, Apple, and Meta, as well as IBM’s research headquarters.

There are also plenty of gadgets to explore in your free time at the Tech Interactive Museum. When you want a break from technology, visit the city’s distinct neighborhoods, museums, and gardens.

• Percentage of workforce in tech: About 23%

• Median salary of a software developer/engineer: $116,008

• Cost of living index: 215

• Common tech jobs: software developer, web developer

Find tech jobs in San Jose on Monster.

4. San Francisco, California

Like San Jose, San Francisco is well known for its key role in the development of Silicon Valley. While the tech industry has slowed since the glory days of the dot.com era, San Francisco still has the largest concentration of tech companies in the country. It’s also close to many other headquarters in San Jose and beyond.

Settling down in this city means you’ll get to enjoy its picturesque hills, cable cars, and Victorian homes, as well as famous landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge.

• Percentage of workforce in tech: About 11%

• Median salary of a software developer/engineer: $125,239

• Cost of living index: 244

• Common tech jobs: software engineer

Find tech jobs in San Francisco on Monster.

5. Dallas, Texas

Dallas is one of the fastest-growing tech cities in the nation, with both its population and its tech companies showing rapid annual growth rates. The city is home to 13 companies on the Fast 500 list, as well as established giants like Cisco, IBM, and Infosys.

This is one of the best cities for tech jobs with high-tech facilities that you can enjoy if you work remotely. The city has invested in its downtown with smart information kiosks, WiFi hotspots, and public conference rooms for virtual meetings. Dallas is also receiving federal funding for connected living and infrastructure as part of the Smart Cities program. Dallas lays claim to the nation’s largest art district, seven professional sports teams, and well-known attractions such as the Reunion Tower and the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum.

• Percentage of workforce in tech: About 5%

• Median salary of a software developer/engineer: $106,580

• Cost of living index: 101

• Common tech jobs: cyber security, network system administrator

Find tech jobs in Dallas on Monster.

6. Raleigh, North Carolina

Raleigh is an up-and-coming tech hub that is a rapidly growing home to both established corporations and startups, making this one of the best cities for tech jobs both at large and small companies. Apple has invested over a billion dollar in its facilities in the area, and Google has also expanded its presence in the city. The city is part of the Research Triangle that also includes Durham and Chapel Hill, a metropolitan area of tech and biotech companies and major research universities.

Raleigh is known for its music scene, the largest museum art park in the country, and miles of hiking trails.

• Percentage of workforce in tech: About 6%

• Median salary of a software developer/engineer: $101,312

• Cost of living index: 102.4

• Common tech jobs: IT, helpdesk technician

Find tech jobs in Raleigh on Monster.

7. New York City, New York

New York City is home to large offices for Google, Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and TikTok, as well as many startups, making it one of the best cities for tech jobs. Venture capitalists have invested billions of dollars into the city’s tech companies.

Living in New York means you can experience the city’s famous attractions as often as you’d like. Whether you’re enticed by the lights of Broadway, the symbolism of the Statue of Liberty, the beauty of Central Park, or the iconic art collections at the city’s museums, you’ll find plenty to enjoy here.

• Percentage of workforce in tech: About 5%

• Median salary of a software developer/engineer: $114,790

• Cost of living index: 168.6

• Common tech jobs: software developer, web developer

Find tech jobs in New York City on Monster.

8. Washington D.C.

The nation’s capital offers many opportunities for IT jobs in government offices, such as in cybersecurity, making this one of the top cities for IT workers. D.C. is also home to offices for major tech companies, such as Amazon. The city benefits from one of the most educated workforces in the country and its proximity to the Dulles Technology Corridor and “Data Center Alley” in Ashburn, Virginia, through which a large percentage of the world’s Internet traffic travels. In your free time, you can enjoy some of nation’s most iconic landmarks in the National Mall, a range of museums, and performing arts.

• Percentage of workforce in tech: Almost 9%

• Median salary of a software developer/engineer: $112,156

• Cost of living index: 150.6

• Common tech jobs: network system administrator, information security analyst

Find tech jobs in Washington D.C. on Monster.

9. Atlanta, Georgia

The vibrant city of Atlanta has created a large support structure for tech businesses, such as incubators and accelerators, as well as the prestigious Georgia Tech, which has the most tech graduates in the country. It’s also home to over 10 unicorns—private tech startups valued at over $1 billion— as well as offices for tech giants like Apple, Microsoft, and Google parent company Alphabet.

In your free time you can watch the Atlanta Braves, Atlanta United, and Atlanta Falcons and enjoy the city’s trendy nightlife and restaurants.

• Percentage of workforce in tech in Georgia: About 8%

• Median salary of a software developer/engineer: $104,434

• Cost of living index: 109.4

• Common tech jobs: software developer

Find tech jobs in Atlanta on Monster.

10. Huntsville, Alabama

The historic city of Huntsville is one of the best cities for tech jobs due to rapid growth in the tech industry. It has seen average growth rates as high as 30 percent, making it one of the fastest-growing tech hubs in the nation. It’s home to offices for tech giants such as IBM and LG Electronics, as well as the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center.

The space flight center and the U.S. Space Rocket Center are major attractions here, but the city is also known for its arts scene.

• Percentage of workforce in tech: About 16 percent

• Median salary of a software developer/engineer: $89,664

• Cost of living index:90.7