IT jobs are in demand in the US, and the job market for IT jobs is growing at a fast rate. Thousands of tech jobs are created each year in many different positions.

According to an annual IT industry report, tech jobs have grown by 200,000 each year since 2010. Moreover, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that the core tech jobs will reach about 662,000 by 2026.

Gone are the days when you had to pack your bags and head to the Silicon Valley to look for a tech job. Today, there are many markets in the US that boast the fastest growing tech sector. Here’s a look at 13 of such markets.

1. San Jose, CA

San Jose, including Silicon Valley, remains one of the hottest markets for IT jobs in the US. The tech jobs in the city have increased by an amazing 80 percent over the past decade. Here, you can find a lot of tech jobs posted by companies such as Google, Apple, IBM, eBay, and Cisco.

Popular tech jobs in the area include computer hardware engineers and computer developers. The average pay for tech workers in the city is nearly $100,989 per annum. While the cost of living in the city is high, it’s not as high as that in San Francisco and New York.

2.  Seattle, WA

Seattle is fast becoming the new Silicon Valley in the US. The city has experienced a 47.7 percent increase in tech jobs over the past 10 years. A lot of companies have set up offices in the city, including Amazon, Salesforce, and Microsoft.

The average salary of tech professionals in the city is around $105,735 per year. The high salaries, in addition to a relatively affordable cost of living, make Seattle the best city for tech professionals.

The most popular tech field is software and application development. At present, there are more than 48,000 app developers working in the city.

3. San Francisco, CA

San Francisco is another recognized tech hub in the US. A lot of professionals head over to the city each year. Tech jobs have increased by nearly 90 percent in the past 10 years. The average salary of tech workers in the city is around $99,751 per year.

However, San Francisco is one of the most expensive cities in the US. So before moving to the city, consider the costs of daily living.

4.  Dallas, TX

Dallas is another major US city that has witnessed a surge in job opportunities. The job growth in the sector over the past ten years has been around 43.2 percent. The city offers high-paid jobs for software engineers.

The average pay is reasonable, at around $88,294 per annum. Since the cost of living in the city is according to the national average, you will be able to save quite a lot of money. In the years to come, the city will likely overtake San Francisco as the best place for tech professionals.

5. Phoenix, AZ

Tech jobs for data analysts, software developers, and SQL developers are increasing at a fast rate in Phoenix, AZ. The city is one of the best places for application developers.

What’s great about the city is that the cost of living is nearly 2 to 3 times less than in Silicon Valley. Add to this the warm sunny climate of the city, and you have the ideal place to work and enjoy life.

6.  Salt Lake City, UT

Salt Lake City in Utah is a great destination for IT jobs in the US. The average salary in the city is about $87,262. Jobs have grown at a rate of nearly 39 percent in the past 10 years.

An increasing number of companies are realizing that moving to this city, surrounded by scenic mountains, is a good idea. You can find jobs offered by many reputable names such as WorkDay, Twitter, and Instructure.

7.  Albany, NY

Albany in New York has experienced remarkable growth in tech jobs. The early career pay for tech professionals is around $55,200 per annum. Experienced IT professionals can expect to earn up to $87,000 on a yearly basis.

This is a great place for software testers and developers. Moreover, a lot of job openings are available for SQL developers.

8.  Denver, CO

Tech jobs have increased by nearly 40 percent in the past 10 years in Denver, CO. A lot of reputable names such as Oracle, IBM, and SendGrid have set up operations in the city.

The average salary for tech professionals is around $88,878 per annum. The city is one of the best places to work and live in terms of cost of living. When adjusted for salaries, the city ranks second in terms of offering the highest paying jobs in the US.

Price of groceries, housing, and transport are not excessively high. As a result, you won’t be forced to spend a large part of your income on the basic necessities. That’s why a lot of IT professionals are heading to the city for work.

9.  Orlando, FL

Tech jobs that are flourishing in Orlando, FL, include network engineer, software engineer, and application developer. The average pay in the area is $87,400 per annum. You can expect about $52,800 per year when you’re starting a career in IT.

10.  Huntsville, Al

If you are a software engineer, system specialist, or IT specialist, you should consider working in Huntsville, Al. The city has a flourishing tech sector with tech jobs increasing at a rate of nearly 300 percent as compared to the past two to three years.

The average pay of a mid-career tech position is nearly $96,400. The best thing about working in Huntsville is its cost of living which is relatively lower than other cities’. The median rent in the city is just $950 while the median house price amount to $150,000.

11.  Thousand Oaks, CA

Tech jobs in Thousand Oaks increased at an amazing rate of 200 percent in the past few years. Popular tech jobs include network engineer, software test engineer, and IT quality assurance specialist.

Average early career pay in the city is $59,500, while the mid-career median pay is about $105,000. But the cost of living in the city is high when compared with that in Washington, San Francisco, and New York.

12. Tampa, FL

IT jobs have increased by about 80 percent in the past few years. Common jobs that are advertised in the city include data analyst and network engineer.

Entry career tech salary amounts to $52,700. Professionals can expect to earn up to $90,600 in the city.

Cost of living in Tampa is not that high. Average medium rent is about $1,495 while the median home price in the city is about $202,750.

13. Columbus, OH

It Jobs in Columbus, OH have increased by about 83 percent in the past few years. Most of the jobs advertised in the city pertain to network engineering, application development, Java programming, and quality system engineer.

The cost of living in the city is not that high. Medium rent is just over $1000 while the home price is about $139,600. You can expect $56,600 for entry-level positions and $93,400.

What Should IT Professionals Do to Polish Their Career?

Tech firms are relocating office space to different markets in order to save costs and benefit from the growing talent pool. However, the growing number of opportunities for tech professionals does not mean that everyone will be able to land into their dream job.

You need to increase your employability by attaining certifications in the relevant field.  In the end, you should remember that technology changes all the time.  In the tech field, you need to quickly adapt yourself against the changing dynamics of the markets. The skills that were in demand today may become outdated tomorrow.

More businesses today are focusing on artificial intelligence, cloud computing, data analytics, and the Internet of Things (IoT). You need to constantly update your knowledge with relevant and latest technologies by enrolling in online training and certification courses.

Final Words

The blog post has listed 13 best markets for IT jobs. All the markets offer attractive packages to tech professionals.

When looking for a job, the salary should be the last thing at your mind. You need to find a job that is the best fit for you. You should research and find out the corporate environment. Is the work environment employee friendly? What are the perks and benefits offered to employees? What is the career progression? Do existing employees feel appreciated at work? In short, when looking for a job you should think about all the things that will make you happy in a given job. Find out what’s important for you besides the paycheck. This will allow you to make a more informed decision related to your career.

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