Despite widespread economic challenges, the tech industry continues to thrive. In 2022 alone, more than 260,000 new jobs were added to the market. But where’s the best place to land a tech job? The following are the top cities to find a tech job in the U.S. in 2023.
Chicago, IL
The windy city ranks highly for the sheer number of tech jobs, with thousands posted each month. Chicago is home to such tech companies as AllCampus, GrubHub, and InRule, an IT company that produces AI-powered decision-making software for businesses. One recruiter reports that the average tech salary in Chicago is $115,000, and candidates will have multiple options.
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta is home to major corporations, such as Coca-Cola, Delta Airlines, IBM, and Home Depot. All of these companies require the assistance of technical professionals. Additionally, Atlanta’s average household income is over $100,000, which indicates a strong economy and plenty of lucrative opportunities for the right candidate.
Austin, TX
Austin, TX, is rapidly becoming a major tech hub, featuring offices and locations for companies like Amazon, Tesla, Apple, Visa, and more. And besides these giants, you will also find a robust array of tech startups and educational and training opportunities, such as the Austin Coding Academy.
New York, NY
NYC is home to many tech companies, though, like other major cities, it also boasts sufficient numbers of other industries that can benefit from workers with strong technical skills. While the cost of living is notoriously high, average tech salaries are well over $100,000, with some developers making more than $150,000.
Portland, OR
On the west coast, you’ll discover that many major tech giants maintain a base of operations in Portland, OR. This includes Google, Squarespace, Mozilla, Nike, and Salesforce. The city carries a reputation for innovation and freethinking, which may be why you’ll also discover no shortage of tech startups here.
Boston, MA
The tech sector in Boston has only increased in recent years, even amid widespread layoffs among select tech giants. The city owes its booming economy to tech companies that specialize in education, finance, healthcare, and robotics.
You might consider applying to work at one of several companies that operate out of Boston, including Zipcar, Wayfair, Hubspot, General Electric, or Amazon.
Huntsville, AL
Finding a job in the tech sector doesn’t always mean moving to a coastal city. Huntsville, AL, is home to a surprising array of tech companies, though you’ll notice a stronger emphasis on machine manufacturing, weapons, automotive, and pharmaceuticals.
But that’s hardly a narrow playing field. You’ll find jobs with companies like Northrop Grumman, Boeing, SAIC, Deloitte, and Lockheed Martin.
Denver, CO
Denver residents enjoy the best of both worlds: big city amenities mingled with acre upon acre of outdoor recreation. Tech professionals will find jobs in healthtech, aerospace, cloud technology, and robotics. Denver tech professionals might find themselves working at Google, Oracle, Wells Fargo, or Hinge.
San Diego, CA
San Diego is rapidly creating a smaller version of Silicon Valley. California job seekers can find employment as a software engineer, AI engineer, data scientist, or information security specialist, though the city is also home to companies that range from healthcare to e-commerce to various forms of fintech and business software.
Look for companies like Bing, Teradata, and Kyocera Mobile for some of the best job opportunities in the area.
Raleigh, NC
Raleigh is positioned as the heart of North Carolina’s growing tech scene. Not only is the cost of living quite a bit lower than in other major cities like New York or San Diego, but you’ll also find a robust array of jobs in software development, machine learning, and AI-powered business tools. Companies that call Raleigh home include Red Hat, Wells Fargo, Deloitte, and IBM.
Washington, DC
The nation’s capital is home to a growing number of tech companies representing sectors in aerospace, government, e-commerce, and healthtech. If you venture outside of the city proper, you’ll find a number of businesses situated along the Dulles “technology corridor.”
This makes the greater metropolitan area one of the nation’s most liveable tech hubs — especially for those who settle into one of the many surrounding suburbs and commit to a morning commute.
The Future of Tech Is Bright
Naturally, the technical landscape is constantly changing. But the above cities provide some of the greatest concentrations of tech jobs, with some cities demonstrating growth even while the rest of the nation experiences economic turbulence. And with multiple sectors to choose from, job seekers in the tech industry can count on a wide open playing field and a bright future.
