IT job seekers looking for the best tech job markets would do well to focus first and foremost on the two opposite coasts of the United States, but the city at the top of the list might surprise you.
According to a new study by data center provider TRG Datacenters, the four top markets for IT pros – based on number of available tech jobs, percentage of remote workers, and typical compensation – are Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, and Seattle, in that order.
“Los Angeles’ ranking at the top surprised some people, but when you look at the data—job count, startup formation, remote work support—it makes sense,” explains Chris Hinkle, CEO at TRG Datacenters. “LA’s tech scene often flies under the radar because it’s not tied to just one sector. You’ve got innovation happening in gaming, media, e-commerce, and more.”
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Criteria for selecting the top tech city job markets
TRG Datacenters analyzed more than 25 U.S. tech hubs to identify the top cities for tech talent. The analysis ranked major U.S. metropolitan areas using key criteria: number of tech jobs, startup information, percentage of remote workers, tech events, and tech salaries. Each factor was weighed and normalized to produce a comprehensive score out of 100 points. They collected data from industry reports and economic development databases, including NASDAQ and Indeed. They then ranked the cities on their overall strength as tech talent hubs.
“Probably the biggest takeaway is that opportunities are becoming more geographically diverse,” Hinkle says. “You don’t have to live in Silicon Valley to build a strong tech career. More cities are investing in tech infrastructure and creating supportive ecosystems for professionals and startups alike. That’s great news for job seekers—and for employers looking to expand their talent pool.”
Another trend TRG identified is how essential infrastructure is to supporting these growing tech markets. Cities that invest in digital resilience—whether it’s connectivity, energy security, or physical IT infrastructure—are going to be better positioned to attract and retain tech talent in the long run.
“While we didn’t include historical comparisons directly in this study, many of the indicators—like the number of startups launched and the growth in remote work—point to a market that’s evolving rapidly,” Hinkle says. “Compared to a year or two ago, the trend is less about overall volume and more about where the opportunities are shifting, especially toward cities that support hybrid and flexible work setups.”
Factors that make a top talent market
The most critical factor for a top tech talent market is a high density of quality tech companies, explains Matthew Haver, principal executive and technical recruiter at San Diego, CA-based Foundation Recruiting and Consulting.
“When you have multiple strong employers clustered together, it creates a competitive ecosystem that drives up compensation, accelerates career advancement, and allows professionals to build strong professional networks without relocating, ” Haver says. “Beyond company density, several key factors make a city an attractive tech environment including strong growth, access to capital, quality of life, and typically – but not always – proximity to top universities.”
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Hinkle agrees, and says the TRG study looked at far more than just job volume and salary. Strong tech cities tend to offer vibrant startup scenes, consistent networking opportunities – such as regular events or conferences – and a healthy balance of in-office and remote options. These are the kinds of environments that foster long-term innovation and career growth.
The top 10 city job markets and what makes each one special
Taking all of those factors into consideration, TRG Datacenters cites the following as the top 10 job markets for IT pros:
Los Angeles secures the top position among U.S. cities for tech talent, with a score of 98.24 and 359,000+ tech jobs, explains TRG spokesperson Jessica Bui. “The city has one of the largest numbers of start-ups, with 24,718 new businesses launched each year. The tech workforce also includes a significant remote work presence, with nearly 20% of workers working from home. The average salary for tech workers here is $146,550, making it one of the top destinations for professionals in the field.”
San Francisco ranks second with a score of 93.9, providing excellent networking grounds and hosting over 1,100 tech events annually, Bui explains. “The city has 336,000+ tech jobs and an average tech salary of $150,387, the highest on the list. While the number of new start-ups is lower than in Los Angeles, the city continues to attract tech professionals thanks to its vibrant innovation ecosystem and high salaries.”
New York ranks third with a score of 88.01, having a growing start-up culture, which sees nearly 37,000 new companies launched each year. The city’s average salary is $148,138, and it hosts 1,300 tech events annually.
Seattle comes in fourth with a score of 82.26, Bui explains. “The city stands out for its remote work rate of 36%, higher than in other cities on the list. Seattle’s tech industry has an average tech salary of $135,287, making it a strong contender for tech professionals seeking a balanced lifestyle and career opportunities.”
Chicago ranks fifth with a score of 72.3, offering a solid job market and a growing number of tech events, Bui says. “While the salaries here are lower at $102,348, the city’s affordable cost of living and active start-up culture help make it an attractive option for tech workers.”
Washington, D.C., takes the sixth spot with a score of 72.12, offering 67,000+ tech jobs and a higher-than-average remote work rate of 33.8%. D.C.’s tech workers earn an average salary of $124,254, placing it as one of the higher-paying cities for tech talent.
Boston ranks seventh with a score of 70.26, Bui says. “The city offers a significant number of start-ups and 500 tech events annually. Boston’s average salary of $116,612 is competitive, though it falls behind cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles. Still, Boston’s strong educational and research institutions make it an attractive location for tech professionals.”
Austin secures the eighth position with a score of 63.68, Bui says. “While its average tech salary of $103,862 is lower than other cities, Austin’s lower cost of living and remote work opportunities, with 30.7% of its tech workforce working remotely, make it a popular destination for tech professionals seeking work-life balance.”
San Jose ranks ninth with a score of 60, Bui says. “The city has 355,000+ tech jobs, but its fewer tech events and lower start-up formation rate, with 3,148 annually, set it apart from other Silicon Valley cities. The average salary for tech professionals in San Jose is $103,170, lower than in nearby San Francisco, despite its close proximity to the heart of the tech world.”
Atlanta rounds out the top ten with a score of 59.33,” Bui explains. “The city has 9,140 new start-ups formed annually. While it lags behind in terms of tech events, with 115 annually, and tech salaries, averaging $99,178, Atlanta’s growing tech workforce and relatively lower cost of living make it an appealing destination for professionals in the sector.”
The IT jobs most in demand, and what’s happening to IT pay
Job roles in cloud engineering, cybersecurity, and data science are in especially high demand right now nationally, Hinkle says, not just in the top city markets.
“You’ll find a lot of opportunity in bigger markets such as San Francisco, Seattle, and New York, but we’re also seeing strong momentum in places like Salt Lake City and Raleigh—smaller markets where startups are growing fast and need versatile tech talent.”
The most exceptionally high demand is for artificial intelligence and machine learning professionals, and related positions such as data engineers, as well as cyber security professionals, Haver says. Also hot are cloud/DevOps engineers and software engineering professionals.
As to top pay, while IT salaries generally trend upwards, the sector has seen a notable shift over the past two-plus years, Haver says.
“Compensation growth has somewhat stagnated following a perfect storm of market factors, including over-hiring during COVID, subsequent widespread layoffs, rising interest rates, broader economic uncertainty, and the adoption of AI,” Haver explains “There are clear exceptions, such as AI and machine learning and cybersecurity professionals. These remain in high demand and have seen strong compensation increases in line with that demand.”
Personal factors that go into a desirable IT job market
While these 10 cities may offer the “top” IT job markets based on job opening, pay, and other factors, they certainly won’t be right for every job candidate. Haver says job seekers should factor in a number of considerations.
“IT candidates considering relocation should research how strong the market is for their specialty in that location,” Haver says. “Additionally, they should consider general factors such as family and friends, cost of living, housing market, taxes, climate and weather, transportation, activities, access to education and healthcare, and overall quality of life.”
Also important – in any IT job market – is what skills and experiences a candidate brings to a given role.
“The best IT candidates have exceptional applied technical skills, analysis and problem-solving abilities, and a constant desire to learn and grow,” Haver explains. “A cut above also have strong communication and people skills to go with their technical talents.”