Nearly one-half of all tech professionals work fully remotely. The other half needs to visit the office either every day or a couple of days per week. If you’re planning on working as an in-house or a hybrid employee, you may want to relocate to a state where the tech industry is thriving, as these are the states with the most tech jobs. Many tech companies have headquarters or branches in these states, which boosts the number of job openings. Salaries tend to be higher there, too. Plus, you’ll be surrounded by like-minded people and will be able to attend offline industry events. Basically, if you want to really invest in a career in tech, you can give yourself higher chances of success in these tech states in the USA.
So let’s dive in. Here are the top ten tech states in the US. We’ll explain what’s so special about them, the living standards, and how much you can expect to earn with data sourced from Glassdoor (median pay for software engineers at all experience levels used as proxy for general industry trends). Here are the best states for tech jobs for 2026.
1. California - $183,000 median total pay
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. Sixteen top cyber security programs and four national labs are situated here. Tech research, the AI sector, telecommunications, and technological equipment manufacturing are thriving. There’s a reason it’s often cited as the best state for IT jobs.
California dominates the US tech landscape with more tech jobs than anywhere else in the country. Silicon Valley is still the global center of tech innovation, though you'll pay dearly for it—housing runs about $58,650 a year, eating up roughly 32% of what the median tech worker makes. Tech jobs make up 7.7% of all employment in the state, showing just how concentrated the industry is there.
Even with those brutal costs, California offers something you can't get anywhere else: unmatched access to venture capital, leading AI research, and real opportunities to move up in your career. For specialized roles in machine learning, software architecture, and product leadership, the move makes sense despite the price tag.
An IT manager can expect to earn $146,000 per year and a software architect — $275,000 per year.
2. Washington - $185,000 median total pay
Washington state has the highest concentration of tech workers in the country at 9.4% of total employment, meaning tech makes up a bigger chunk of the state economy than anywhere else. Seattle's become a powerhouse for cloud computing thanks to Microsoft and Amazon AWS, creating tons of opportunities in infrastructure, DevOps, and enterprise software.
The cost of living runs about $54,800, which is high but manageable given the salaries; you get a better salary-to-cost ratio than most other tech hubs. Plus, Washington has no state income tax or sales tax, which puts more money in your pocket.
A data architect in Washington has a median total pay of $177,000, and a business intelligence analyst earns $124,000.
3. Massachusetts - $159,000 median total pay
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 cyber security college degree programs, 140 cyber security firms, and over 2,000 software companies. It’s one of the best states where researchers can collaborate with international R&D companies, state agencies, and universities.
Massachusetts offers strong pay combined with a diverse tech scene. Boston sits right next to MIT and Harvard, which means constant research collaboration and a steady flow of talent coming through. The state does particularly well in biotech, fintech, and enterprise software innovation.
The cost of living sits around $56,200, which is high, but you get better purchasing power than you would in California. The moderate 11% growth rate points to a mature market — stable rather than exploding. This makes it a solid choice for mid-to-senior professionals looking for established companies and academic partnerships.
The median total pay of a database developer in Massachusetts is $112,000, and that of an IT director is $184,000.
4. Virginia - $139,000 median total pay
As a state for tech jobs, you might not immediately think of Virginia, but its proximity to the capital makes it a true tech state. Its northern sector is a haven for security companies, defense contractors, and other tech businesses that cater to the US government. The cluster where these organizations are concentrated is called the Dulles Technology Corridor. Besides, additional tech niches attract top professionals to Virginia. These include software development, data centers, professional services, and healthcare. In terms of US tech jobs, there’s no state more America-centric.
Amazon HQ2 in Arlington keeps driving growth in cloud infrastructure, AI, and digital transformation. The salary-to-cost-of-living ratio sits at 2.26x, giving you excellent value for your money. Specialized roles in DevSecOps, federal contracting, and security clearance positions pay premium rates you won't find in other markets.
The median total pay of an IT technician in Virginia is $62,000, and that of a technical project manager is $151,000.
5. New Jersey - $141,000 median total pay
New Jersey sits between New York and Pennsylvania, so depending on where you settle, you can commute into Philadelphia or New York City. In and of itself, the state does well in healthcare tech (pharmaceutical IT), financial services technology, and enterprise software. If you want to go for a big-time job, you're close enough to New York City's financial institutions to build a fintech career, but you're not paying Manhattan rent.
The big pharmaceutical companies create unique opportunities in regulated software development, clinical systems, and medical device technology. With tech workers making up 8.1% of the workforce, the state has a decent balance.
In New Jersey, machine learning engineers have $151,000 median total pay, and data analysts get $88,000.
6. Maryland - $136,000 median total pay
Maryland’s STEM workforce ratio is among the highest in the country. Only California invests more than Maryland in research and development, so you can see why it’s one of the best tech states.
Maryland focuses heavily on cyber security, defense tech, and cloud infrastructure. Think Northrop Grumman and Booz Allen Hamilton, companies growing and creating serious demand for security specialists and federal IT professionals.
Being right next to Washington, D.C. and federal agencies means plenty of government contracting opportunities with built-in job stability. The projected 12% growth reflects ongoing investment in defense and homeland security.
The median total pay of a data architect in Maryland is $178,000, and a technical product manager can expect to earn $156,000 per year.
7. New York - $165,000 median total pay
Over 10,000 tech businesses operate in New York City alone. Buffalo, Rochester, Albany, and Poughkeepsie are hubs where you can find tech jobs, too. Tech companies from this state sell their products and services to an extensive range of industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and fintech.
Speaking of, New York is the king of fintech, media tech, and financial services innovation. Manhattan's packed with institutional capital and major financial institutions, creating incredible compensation opportunities for people who specialize in trading systems, quantitative analysis, and financial infrastructure. NYC's tech scene pulls in more venture capital than any state except California.
The state has 480,000 tech jobs, the second-largest employment base in the country. Cost of living hits $59,200, the highest anywhere, but fintech salaries make up for it. This is the place for finance-focused technologists chasing maximum compensation and prestigious employers.
A cyber security specialist in New York makes a median total pay of $147,000 per year, and a data engineer makes $145,000 per year.
8. Florida - $132,000 median total pay
This state has become home to over 38,000 high-tech companies. Their products and services come in handy for businesses in manufacturing, healthcare, aerospace, and defense. A key factor making Florida one of the best states for tech is its 61,000 miles of fiber optic connectivity. This helps its networks rank among the fastest in the country.
Florida is the fastest-growing major tech market right now with 17% projected growth, mixing competitive salaries with serious cost-of-living advantages. Miami's fintech corridor can go toe-to-toe with other hubs while keeping housing costs far lower. No state income tax means your money goes further, too. A $117,155 salary in Florida gives you 25% more purchasing power than the same pay in California.
Since the market's still emerging, there's less competition for roles while venture capital keeps flowing in. It's a great spot for early-to-mid career professionals looking for growth opportunities and a break on living expenses.
A network administrator in Florida makes a median of $94,000 a year and a cyber security specialist makes $130,000 per year
9. Delaware - $128,000 median total pay
Delaware has a specialized niche for tech professionals in pharmaceutical, financial services, and insurance technology. The state's corporate tax structure draws in financial services firms (Cigna's headquarters and Wells Fargo operations are both here), which creates opportunities in fintech and insurance tech.
The absolute job count is pretty limited at 45,000, so you're looking at a smaller but specialized market. Cost of living sits at $49,800, which is reasonable. Tech workers make up 5.4% of the workforce, suggesting the market is still developing but growing. This is a good fit for professionals targeting healthcare technology, insurance innovation, or corporate fintech roles.
A UX designer in Delaware makes a median total pay of $121,000, and a QA analyst makes $87,000.
10. Colorado - $142,000 median total pay
Colorado delivers exceptional value with strong salaries and the lowest cost of living among the top 10 states at $48,600. That gives you the best salary-to-living-cost ratio (2.36x) of any high-salary state. The 15% projected growth matches California while still offering lifestyle perks.
Denver has an established tech ecosystem, Boulder's packed with startups, and Fort Collins benefits from university research partnerships. In short: you get diverse opportunities across the state. And by the way, no state income tax makes your compensation go even further. In addition, the outdoor recreation culture attracts professionals who care about quality of life. It's perfect for engineers prioritizing work-life balance and getting the most out of their money.
An automation specialist makes a median total pay of $94,000, and a web developer makes $98,000.
The best place to study tech in the US
To start a career in tech, you can learn from the comfort of your home, regardless of its location. In fact, at TripleTen, you can study part-time without leaving your current job. Find out more about what it’s like to study with us by checking out stories from our grads.
FAQ
Which state in the US has the most tech jobs?
In terms of the state with the most tech jobs, California takes the lead with roughly 850,000, most packed into Silicon Valley. Texas comes in second with 520,000 jobs spread across Austin, Dallas, and Houston. New York grabs third place with 480,000 tech positions. California's edge comes from hosting giants like Apple, Google, Meta, and OpenAI.
Which city has the most tech jobs?
For cities with the most jobs in tech, San Francisco and New York City top the list of the most concentrated tech job markets. Seattle, Austin, and Boston also have substantial tech employment, but San Francisco keeps the crown for highest percentage of tech workers at 22.54%, with San Jose right behind at 21.86%.
What jobs in the US pay $300,000 a year?
The jobs that pay $300,000 a year in tech take expertise. Think software engineering director, VP of engineering, enterprise SaaS sales directors, and C-suite roles like CEO or CTO. Senior DevOps architects can hit that mark too. Outside tech, investment bankers, corporate lawyers at partner level, private equity executives, and management consultants also crack $300,000.
Which tech skills command higher pay?
The skills commanding higher pay right now include those involving artificial intelligence and machine learning. Know-how here can add $10,000+ to your salary. Cloud computing skills (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) and DevOps come next. Cyber security, data science, blockchain development, and SaaS expertise also bring premium pay. Knowing Python, Docker, C#, and Bash boosts your earnings across pretty much any tech role in 2026.
What are the best states for tech startups?
Right now, the best state for tech startups is Florida. It ranks #1 for new business creation; no state income tax plus Miami's growing fintech scene helps a lot. Then, Texas, especially Austin, offers business-friendly policies and an entrepreneurial vibe. Following those two, Utah's "Silicon Slopes" provides affordable living with an educated workforce, and North Carolina mixes affordability with real opportunity.
What are the best places for tech jobs in the USA?
The best places for tech jobs in the US depend on what you’re looking for, but the top-tier cities include San Francisco, Seattle, New York City, Austin, and Boston. If you want somewhere that’s growing fast, check out Miami, Raleigh-Durham, Denver, or Phoenix. There are also cities that offer good value such as Dallas, Nashville, and Colorado Springs.
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