Best 6 Best Cities for Technical Jobs
With amazing salaries, outstanding work-life balance, challenging work, and incredible growth opportunities, everyone in the US wants to work in tech. However, most tech jobs tend to be concentrated in just a few cities.
San Francisco, California
Even though there has been a tech departure from San Francisco over the last few years, it is still the number one place to start or build a tech career. San Francisco is home to Silicon Valley, the mecca of the software industry, and has played a key role in transforming the US economy.
Some of the most successful tech companies are headquartered in San Francisco, including Facebook, Google, Netflix, LinkedIn, Slack, and more! Pretty much every tech company has some presence in San Francisco, as it is also home to the top venture capital funds in the world. These funds keep the start-up scene alive and allow founders to pursue their ideas.
San Francisco is a beautiful place known for its moderate climate, great cafes, restaurants, and lovely mountains. However, the big downside to living in San Francisco is the high taxes and cost of living. Buying your first home is extremely difficult, even if you pull the average Silicon Valley tech salary of over $150,000 annually!
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte continues to grow and prosper thanks to an influx of tech companies. Did you know technical jobs in Charlotte have increased by almost 70% over the last decade? If you are looking for a medium-sized city that still feels like a small town, you can’t beat Charlotte. It has almost 1 million people and is filled with some amazing bars, live music venues, and an up-and-coming restaurant scene, and they even have an NBA and NFL team!
Many tech companies, including IBM, Red Ventures, Credit Karma, Microsoft, and Lending Tree, have moved to Charlotte. Some of the most prized tech jobs in Charlotte, North Carolina, include software developers, testers, and system analysts. With the average cost of living being extremely reasonable, a tech salary affords you a very nice life in Charlotte!
Austin, Texas
Austin is benefitting from the Elon Musk effect! Tesla decided to build a 10 million-square-foot manufacturing plant in Austin, which has caused the local economy to boom. Many tech bros have left San Francisco and set up shop in Austin. Austin has much lower taxes and living costs, the property is affordable, and it is much safer than San Francisco.
Austin is not your typical Texas city. It is quite liberal and diverse, with a large student population. Austin is known for its fun bars, restaurants, and overall vibe. It is also great if you don’t like cold winters!
It isn’t just Tesla that is betting big on Austin. Apple, Amazon, AMD, and Adobe are all enjoying the city. If you want to save some cash and move from Los Angeles, New York, and Miami to San Francisco, Texas is waiting for you!
Seattle, Washington
Tech workers, on average, earn $120,000 per year in Seattle, Washington! The tech scene in Seattle has been around since the 80s when Microsoft moved there. Other big companies such as SalesForce, Amazon, Google, Apple, and Tableau have followed suit. Currently, almost 200,000 people in Seattle are employed in the tech sector. According to research by SignalHire, this city is at the top for good conditions for technical work and many other industries. Therefore, it is defined as one of the top cities in the USA.
Seattle consistently ranks among the best cities in the US to live in. It has the perfect blend of great schools, universities, and awesome cafes and is known for being very safe. With 800,000 residents, Seattle is a perfectly sized city. The only downside is the near-constant rain! If you can handle 150 rainy days per year, this city is worth checking out.
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh, North Carolina, like Charlotte, has become a buzzing tech hub in just a few years. The metro area has a population of 1.5 million, while the city proper has a population of close to 500,000. It is not too small but still has that country town friendliness.
Tech companies thrive in Raleigh as they have the first choice of the top students from prestigious local universities such as the University of North Carolina and Duke. Raleigh is also 35% less expensive than New York, which allows them to save on salaries, rent, and general expenses.
Right now, the biggest tech companies in Raleigh include ServiceNow, BitSight Technologies, and Adwerx. The average salary at these booming tech companies is just over $100,000. The most popular roles at Raleigh-based tech companies include developers, systems analysts, support specialists, and software testers.
San Jose, California
San Jose, California, is a great option if you love San Francisco but can’t afford the rent. Just a 1-hour drive from San Francisco, it is much more affordable but still offers that amazing California lifestyle. Several big tech companies have been cashing in on cheaper rents in San Jose. Some top tech firms with offices in San Jose include Adobe, Sage Intacct, and Calyx Software, based here. Almost 200,000 people in San Jose work in the tech industry, and the average salary is over $130,000. Despite having high taxes and being expensive, San Jose is a wonderful alternative to San Francisco.
Wrapping Up
The tech industry tends to consolidate in particular cities. To improve your chances of breaking into the highly competitive industry, we recommend moving to one of these cities:
- San Francisco, California
- Charlotte, North Carolina
- Austin, Texas
- Seattle, Washington
- Raleigh, North Carolina
- San Jose, California
You will find various tech roles in all these cities, ranging from junior to senior. The average salary is over $100,000, and with such a nice package, you can afford to live a very comfortable life. Some of the best tech roles in the above cities include soft engineers, data analysts, and testers. Comment below what your favorite city is for technical jobs!
