Top Emerging Tech Cities of 2022
Top Emerging Tech Cities of 2022
Are you hoping to jumpstart your career in technology but don’t know where to look? With the pandemic ending, cities are opening back up and many people are headed back into the office. The prevalence of technology is causing a new Great Migration, as tech-savvy pioneers strike out toward tech cities in search of new opportunities. We’re going to take a look at five of the most up-and-coming tech cities to help give you an idea of where the next Silicon Valley is taking shape.
1. Tampa, Florida
Tampa is quickly turning into Florida’s tech capital. Forbes named it the number-one emerging tech city in the nation and real estate website Zillow is tipping it as the nation’s hottest housing market this year. The city predicted a growth of 2,000 new jobs last year — it is already responsible for more than 25% of the state’s tech jobs.
With so much attention on the Tampa tech industry, the economy has been attracting some high-profile investors eager to get in on the action. Most notably, Bill Gates and Jeffrey Vinik who invested $3.5 billion in Tampa real estate geared towards tech. Employment opportunities in Tampa are plentiful and growing. This is only one component of an ambitious 50-acre development project that is completely transforming Tampa’s downtown.
VCs are also playing a large role in Tampa’s tech emergence. Marc Blumenthal has spearheaded Florida Funders, which is finding, funding and building the next generation of tech companies. Florida Funders targets many early-stage tech startups with investments ranging from $500,000 to $2 million. Tampa is positioned to become one of the tech capitals of the American South in the coming decade. Ready to look for tech opportunities in Tampa, Florida? Our career councilors in Tampa are here to help you.
2. Atlanta, Georgia
People are calling Atlanta, GA the “Silicon Valley of the South” or the “Silicon Peach” with major companies, including IBM, Amazon, Microsoft, MailChimp, Airbnb, Home Depot, and Verizon all having tech centers in the city, the tech industry in Atlanta is booming. Atlanta offers a low cost of operations and living, which is a draw for companies. Atlanta is also home to the fourth largest tech village, Atlanta Tech Village — a community formed twenty years ago that aims at nurturing startups and creating opportunities in Atlanta.
Some of the factors attracting workers to Atlanta are that the cost of living is 47% lower than San Francisco. The median tech wages are still reasonably close to the same as they are in California — coming in at almost $89k. Tech workers in Atlanta make a median salary of $91,209 per year, which is 28.5% higher than the median wage in the city. Atlanta’s competitive wages and lower cost of living make it an excellent place to start a tech career. Atlanta is also a great place for women to find opportunities, Opportunities for women in Atlanta. Ready to look for tech opportunities in Atlanta, Georgia? Employment Opportunities in Atlanta. Our career councilors in Atlanta are here to help.
3. Austin, Texas
If you’ve been following the tech scene, then seeing Austin, TX on this list probably doesn’t surprise you. Not only have huge tech giants — like Google, Facebook, Apple, opened campuses and Tesla currently building a massive automotive factory there, but it’s a hub for startups as well with one of the region’s fastest-growing startup economies.
Austin’s tech scene is booming. Experts predict that the city’s tech economy will grow 16% in the next five years. Currently, 161,000 tech workers hold 15.8% of all jobs in Austin. Also, the tech industry created 27% of all new jobs in Austin in 2018. Over 6,500 tech companies operate in Austin, it boasts nearly 173,000 tech employees. Last year, Austin was ranked the number one city for tech professionals.
Tech workers in Austin earn an average of $125,000 per year. According to Hired.com, tech salaries in Austin have grown more than 15% since 2016, outranking many other cities. Austin’s growing tech sector and diverse economy make it an ideal place to start a technology job. Ready to look for tech opportunities in Austin, Texas? Employment Opportunities in Austin. Our career councilors in Austin are here to help
4. Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh, like Austin, has seen exciting growth in the tech sector in recent years. With a diverse and highly educated population, a thriving culture for entrepreneurship, and tax incentives, Raleigh is considered a jackpot for both talent and growth. Raleigh, NC, is home to North Carolina State University, where graduates have launched over 170 startups in the city — bringing in over $1.5 billion in VC funding. Raleigh also houses many monolith from the tech industry in Raleigh, like IBM, Cisco Systems, and Accenture, and non-tech companies that house their tech sectors in the city, like Wells Fargo and Verizon. And both Apple and Google have announced new hubs in Raleigh.
In 2020, the Raleigh-adjacent municipality of Wake Forest confirmed plans to build a state-of-the-art, 200-acre mixed-use technology park. The facility and its 180,000 square feet of office capacity may help accelerate the Raleigh metro area’s already-strong tech growth.
For workers, Raleigh is attractive due to the incredibly low cost of living. According to Payscale, the cost of living in Raleigh is 5% lower than the national average, especially regarding housing and utilities. Currently, Raleigh has less competition than other cities, which makes it an ideal place for job seekers looking for a career in tech. Ready to look for tech opportunities in Austin, Texas? Employment Opportunities in Raleigh. Our career councilors in Raleigh are here to help,
5. Denver, Colorado
With sun, mountains, and snow, Denver ranks as one of the fastest-growing cities. It’s also one of the best cities for tech jobs. The Mile High City boasts over 191,000 tech jobs, including strengths in software development, telecommunications, and research and development. The tech industry in Denver is growing and adding many new jobs to the area.
Major players like Amazon, Facebook, HomeAdvisor, and T-Mobile recently established offices in the city, creating opportunities in the area. Plus, Denver saw a 74% increase in startup creation since 2017.
Tech professionals report a median wage of over $96,000 in Denver, or 79% higher than the city’s overall median wage. While Denver is still more in the up-and-coming stages of its rise to tech hubdom, it has plenty to offer. And similar to other cities on this list, Denver has a more affordable cost of living than large East or West Coast Tech cities. With its tech industry on the rise, Denver offers career opportunities with a future of sustainable growth. Read to look for tech opportunities in Denver, Colorado? Employment Opportunities in Denver. Our career councilors in Denver are here to help.