Which states are enjoying the most demand for tech jobs? That’s a tough question to answer, but fortunately we have Burning Glass, which analyzes millions of job postings from across the country. Leveraging that data (along with some other sources) shows us which states are full of employers desperate for talent.
In addition to showing job demand, we also threw together key salary averages, as well as some other data points that illustrate the tech culture in each state. If you’re thinking of moving to a new state, or simply wondering how your state matches up nationally, keep reading.
California
Average 2018 Tech Salary (Dice Data): $105,953
Change Y/Y: 1.4%
Job Postings (July-Sept): 164,540
Of course California would top this particular list of states: Silicon Valley and San Francisco remain America’s premier technology hub, despite aggressive attempts by New York City to take that particular crown. And although Silicon Valley’s cost of living is astronomical, squeezing local startups and independent developers trying to build the Next Big Thing, the area remains home to technology giants such as Facebook and Google, which will likely ensure its dominance for some time to come.
Based on Burning Glass data, it’s clear that employers are desperate for talent of all kinds, suggesting that Silicon Valley is very much in an expansionist mood. And why not? The area features universities to pipeline talent to companies, venture-capital firms to provide funding to startups, and networks of experienced technologists to shepherd projects along—if you’re going to cycle up something that demands talent, this is still the place to do it.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles is also no slouch when it comes to tech companies, thanks to the presence of firms such as Snap (in Venice Beach). Towns such as Santa Monica and Manhattan Beach also host their share of startups.
Texas
Average 2018 Tech Salary (Dice Data): $89,277
Change Y/Y: -1.4%
Job Postings (July-Sept): 76,433
Don’t mess with Texas: from Houston to the “Silicon Hills” of Austin, this big state enjoys a robust tech scene. Austin itself is home to companies ranging from Dell (which is headquartered in nearby Round Rock) to Apple (which plans to manufacture its new Mac Pro at a factory there).
The living here is also more affordable than Silicon Valley. For example, both Dallas and Houston ranked high on SmartAsset’s “Best Cities to Work in Tech,” based on how much technologists in those towns make vis-à-vis the “average wage,” and the relative cost of living.
New York
Average 2018 Tech Salary (Dice Data): $98,219
Change Y/Y: -6.6%
Job Postings (July-Sept): 55,233
New York City has spent years trying to grow into a tech hub capable of competing toe-to-toe with Silicon Valley. Part of that strategy included a rebranding (“Silicon Alley,” even though most of the city lacks alleys) and an aggressive attempt by former mayor Michael Bloomberg to lure startups and large companies to town.
The “New York City has arrived as a tech hub” narrative seemed to reach its peak when Amazon announced that it would establish one of its two “HQ2” headquarters buildings in Long Island City, a neighborhood across the East River from Midtown. However, that move sparked a huge amount of local protest from the community, and Amazon backed down.
While everyone in the city clearly isn’t onboard with some company expansion, Amazon, Google, and other firms have nonetheless continued to pour into the five boroughs—and post jobs. Outside of New York City, the state government has tried to make things hospitable to tech firms, albeit with very mixed results. For some states, it's clear that the bulk of tech activity is centered in one place.
Florida
Average 2018 Tech Salary (Dice Data): $86,139
Change Y/Y: 3.9%
Job Postings (July-Sept): 43,873
For years, Florida has angled to be taken seriously among tech-friendly states. There’s been more venture-capital investment, as well as a significant well of talent, and a notable cost-of-living advantage over other cities. The big question is whether the state can maintain and grow whatever it’s managed to establish—and based on the Burning Glass data, it seems that employers are indeed hungry for tech talent. That bodes well for the state.
Virginia
Average 2018 Tech Salary (Dice Data): $101,935
Change Y/Y: 4.4%
Job Postings (July-Sept): 40,193
When it comes to states' growth in tech jobs, Virginia enjoys one spectacular advantage: nearby Washington, D.C. The federal government (and its contractors) means constant demand for technologists of all stripes.
In addition, Virginia plays host to Microsoft, Amazon, and other major firms, some of which have built out considerable datacenter infrastructure. And even though New York City rejected one of Amazon’s “HQ2” headquarters buildings, the other one is still being built in Crystal City, right across the river from D.C. Once that’s completed, expect the number of technologist job postings to only increase.
