Top 10 U.S. States for Tech Professionals

Nearly one-half of all tech professionals work fully remotely. The other half visits the office either every day or a couple of days per week. If you’re planning to work as an in-house or a hybrid employee, you may have considered relocating to a state where the tech industry is thriving. Many tech companies have headquarters or branches in such states, which boosts the number of job openings. Salaries tend to be higher there. Plus, you’ll be surrounded by like-minded people and able to attend offline industry events.

Check out the stats we've compiled here to learn about the top ten tech states in the U.S. We’ll explain what’s so special about them, what the living standards are, and how much you can expect to earn.

California

It’s the state where the world-famous Silicon Valley is located. California boasts the largest concentration of high-paying tech companies and jobs in the country. In addition, 16 top cybersecurity programs and four national labs are situated here. Industries that are thriving include tech research, the AI sector, telecommunications, and technological equipment manufacturing.

An IT manager can expect to earn $95,681 per year and a software architect, $153,034 annually.

New York

Over 10,000 tech businesses operate in New York City only. Buffalo, Rochester, Albany, and Poughkeepsie offer impressive employment opportunities too. Tech companies from this state sell their products and services to an extensive range of industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and fintech.

A cybersecurity specialist in New York makes, on average, $85,186 per year, and a data engineer can earn $127,979 per year.

Virginia

Bordering the capital, Virginia's northern region is a haven for security companies, defense contractors, and other tech businesses that cater to the national government. The cluster where these organizations are concentrated is called the Dulles Technology Corridor. The following niches attract top professionals to Virginia: software programming, data centers, professional services, and healthcare.

The average annual salary of an IT technician in Virginia is $94,500, and that of an IT project manager is $108,939.

Texas

Professionals and businesses migrate from Silicon Valley to Texas because of more affordable taxes, looser regulations, and a lower cost of living. There are over 17,600 tech companies in the Lone Star State, and they employ over 203,000 professionals in total. A large demand for their services comes from the oil and gas extraction businesses — they need technical support and logistics software.

An IT support specialist earns an average of $39,675 annually, and a technology consultant earns $104,690 per year.

Florida

This state houses over 33,000 high-tech companies. Their products and services come in handy for businesses from such sectors as manufacturing, healthcare, aerospace industry, and defense. Florida has more than 61,000 fiber miles of connectivity and data transmission, so the local wireless networks are among the fastest in the country.

An SEO specialist in Florida makes $48,060 per year, on average, and an IT analyst makes $70,028 per year.

Massachusetts

One of the most valuable local gems is the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), whose graduates have founded various tech businesses here. The state has over 30 cybersecurity college degree programs, 140 cybersecurity firms, and over 2,000 software companies. It’s a great location for researchers who collaborate with international R&D companies, state agencies, and universities.

The average annual salary of a database developer in Massachusetts is $95,135, and that of an IT director is $140,167.

Illinois

International technological and industrial corporations are concentrated in the Illinois Technology and Research Corridor, which the Chicago metropolitan area is a part of. Over 6,000 tech companies have their headquarters in Chicago, not to mention numerous startups. In nearby cities, the cost of living is more affordable, so many businesses open or relocate there. 

An IT manager can expect to earn $89,455 per year in Illinois, and a data engineer, $117,307 annually.

Georgia

This state is famous for its Transaction Alley. The payment processing companies that are located here handle around 70% of all money transactions in the country. Over 50 top tech companies have data centers in Georgia. More than 225 IT health firms and more than 75 cybersecurity businesses operate here as well.

In Atlanta, the average annual salary of a UX designer is $93,918, and that of a QA engineer is $106,978.

North Carolina

The local epicenter of the tech industry is called the Research Triangle. Consisting of Raleigh, Cary, Durham, and Chapel Hill, it benefits from the presence of several large universities. Many financial companies are located in Charlotte. Businesses from North Carolina create technological solutions for health care, manufacturing, agriculture, and other industries.

A systems administrator earns $67,169 per year, on average, and an IT director earns $102,987 per year.

Maryland

In 2022, this state landed in the fourth position for the most innovative. Its STEM workforce ratio is among the highest in the country. Only California invests more than Maryland in research and development. There are 35 incubators and research parks here as well as over 400 cybersecurity businesses.

A technical product manager can expect to earn $150,398 per year in Maryland. The average annual salary of a Data Architect in Baltimore is $136,891.

Best place to study tech in the U.S.

To start a career in tech, study from the comfort of your home regardless of its location — and then move to a state that you fancy. It’s the most cost-efficient approach. Besides, it’s often easier to assimilate information in a place that you’re used to.

At the TripleTen online bootcamp, study part-time without leaving your current job. Depending on your chosen occupation, the program will last from five to ten months. You’ll get a certificate and, most likely, land your first tech job within six months after graduation — 87% of graduates manage to do so. Otherwise, you’ll benefit from a 100% money-back guarantee.

The process of studying at TripleTen recreates real-life working conditions. After you relocate to your dream state, it shouldn’t be difficult adapting to your new tech-inspired environment.