Huge Tech Opportunity in Mid-Size Cities

IT professionals are employed in every industry in cities and towns across America. Preparing for a well-paying job in the field can be as simple as earning an associate degree in Information Management or a related field. Now’s a great time to enter tech, as IT career opportunities are quickly growing in many U.S. cities.

While large cities are often considered hotbeds for tech jobs, many mid-sized U.S. cities also have exploding tech markets, making them ideal places to look for both remote and on-site opportunities. Mid-sized cities offer the ideal combination of career opportunities, entertainment options, and culinary variety without the hustle, bustle, and sometimes overwhelming population of large cities.

Whether you prefer to live north, south, east, or west, here are four mid-size locations ranked among the fastest growing tech markets in the U.S.

NORTH: Columbus, Ohio

Population: 906,528

Columbus combines the charm of a Midwest town with plenty of opportunity, entertainment, and dining options

A hub for healthcare, banking, insurance, and now tech, Columbus, Ohio is a great city to consider if you’re launching your IT career. Large corporations including Amazon, Facebook, and Intel have moved to Columbus, with Intel currently constructing two multi-billion-dollar factories just outside the city to manufacture semiconductor chips.

Among the many factors attracting both businesses and individuals to the Columbus tech market are:

• Incentives and tax breaks for businesses: The Columbus commerce climate is ideal for both long-time and incoming businesses.
• 60% of the people in the U.S. live within 600 miles of Columbus, which makes it a convenient location for businesses that serve locations nationwide, as well as individuals who want easy access to travel.
• Columbus has a supportive community for tech companies. Along with numerous incubators and accelerators that help startups get off the ground, there are also ongoing networking events that connect tech professionals in many industries.
• A family-friendly city with both downtown and suburban living choices, Columbus combines the charm of a Midwest town with plenty of opportunity, entertainment, and dining options.

Living in Columbus means experiencing the four seasons of summer, winter, spring, and fall – with all the diverse activities that accompany each. Known as “Test City, USA,” Columbus is often chosen to test-market new products and services, keeping its residents in the know about what’s coming to market.

• Columbus Cost of Living: 10% less than the U.S. average
• Average Tech Job Salary: $86,380

Learn more about the Columbus tech market here.

SOUTH: Austin, Texas

Population: 964,177

It’s easy to see why opportunities for IT professionals abound in this popular southern city.

Austin has long been home to a large and growing tech community. Already the headquarters of high-tech giants including Dell, 3M, eBay, Apply, and Cisco Stems, the city has recently seen an influx of even more major corporations including Apple, Amazon, and Google. Add to that the many successful start-ups that call Austin home – among them Indeed and Whole Foods Market – and it’s easy to see why opportunities for IT professionals abound in this popular southern city.

Great reasons that Austin is a growing tech market:

• A business-friendly environment that offers low taxes (including no state income tax) and governmental programs and policies that aid both existing and incoming businesses.
• An eye toward innovation. Austin is a well-known startup community, with multiple accelerators and incubators that help new businesses launch and succeed.

Known as the Silicon Valley of the South (or Silicon Hills), Austin’s tech industry is expected to continue growing at a healthy rate in the coming years. Pair that with its mild climate that allows outdoor activities year-round and a thriving music and art community, and you’ve got a city that’s ideal for both work and play.

• Austin’s Cost of Living: 3% less than the U.S. average
• Average Tech Job Salary: $109,180

Learn more about the tech industry in Austin here.

EAST: Raleigh, North Carolina

Population: 469,124

Its beautiful southern charm, close proximity to the easter coastline, mild climate, and fantastic culinary scene make Raleigh a great choice for tech professionals

Raleigh is the largest anchor city of Research Triangle Park (RTP). Founded in 1959, RTP is the largest operating research park in the U.S., covering 7,000 acres and housing more than 300 research, technology, and ag-bio companies with 60,000+ employees collectively. This, along with the city’s business-friendly environment, makes Raleigh one of the fastest-growing tech markets in the country.

Examples of companies that have recently expanded or relocated to Raleigh:

• Apple, creating 3,000 jobs.
• Google, creating 1,000 jobs.
• Meta announced plans to open a new data center, creating 100 jobs.
• Cisco announced plans to expand its existing office, creating 500 jobs.
• Lenovo announced plans to expand its existing office, creating 200 jobs.

From a livability perspective, its beautiful southern charm, close proximity to the easter coastline, mild climate, and fantastic culinary scene make Raleigh a great choice for tech professionals.

• Raleigh Cost of Living: 5% less than the U.S. average
• Average Tech Job Salary: $102,389

Find out more about tech opportunities in Raleigh here.

WEST: San Jose, CA

San Jose remains one of the fastest-growing tech markets in the U.S.

The largest city in Silicon Valley, San Jose has long been known for its focus on innovation and creativity, San Jose remains one of the fastest-growing tech markets in the U.S. In fact, 22.8% of the workforce in San Jose is employed in high-tech jobs (compared to 9.5% nationwide) according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics.

The tech industry continues to grow in San Jose, CA for a number of reasons, including:

• A business-friendly climate, with low taxes and a supportive government, makes it an attractive place for tech companies.
• Many incubators and accelerators help entrepreneurs to launch and sustain successful businesses.
  San Jose is well-connected to other major tech hubs in the Bay Area, as well as to the rest of the world. This makes it easy for tech companies to do business with customers and partners across the globe.
• A diverse and welcoming community, helping tech companies to attract and retain talent, and offering many advantages for its residents.

Living in San Jose means easy access to the Pacific coastline, a vibrant cultural scene with people all over the world calling it home, warm and sunny weather year-round, and ample employment opportunities in the tech sector.

• San Jose’s Cost of Living: 49% less than the U.S. average
• Average Tech Job Salary: $153,640

Find out more about the tech market in San Jose here.

Ready to join the Tech Market?

Find out how the University of Cincinnati’s Associate of Applied Business in IT program can prepare you to enter the IT field. The associate program can be completed 100% online. Plus, the credits you earn transfer seamlessly within UC to allow you to continue your IT education at the bachelor’s and even master’s level.

To read about additional cities with quickly growing tech markets, click here.