Top 10 US States for Tech Professionals + Salaries

Working in information technology (IT) can be a rewarding career that gives you opportunities to advance professionally and earn a competitive salary. TechBhemeoths listed 10 top US states for tech professionals, including salaries, main tech hubs and companies, key services, and job titles.

Listed states have won their position on this top due to their important technology hubs, a growing number of tech professionals and competitive wage for technology positions. The wage for tech professionals might depend on the cost of living in the area and the job level

1. Washington

Tech Professionals

As of October 2023, Washington has currently 1,624 Information Technology Analyst jobs available­ in Washington. The average annual salary for the­se positions is $104,614. Entry-level salarie­s start at $75,000, while those in the top 10% of the field can e­arn up to $144,000 per year, according to Zippia. Also, the most predominant services in the tech industry are information technology, cybersecurity, software, health tech.

The NOVA community state that Washington, remain a top tech performer, experiencing the second-most increase in tech job postings between October and November 2021, according to CompTIA's 2021 Tech Jobs Report.

One of the main reasons why Washington is a hub for tech talent is due to the constant flow of ambitious workers, which has been confirmed by CBRE’s 2021 Scoring Tech Talent report ranking the city as third in the top tech talent markets.

Tech Hubs & Top Tech Companies

Global businesses like ServiceNow and Accenture have helped raise the IT economy within the D.C. region, providing businesses with valuable cloud and workflow solutions. For professionals searching for IT opportunities, there are hundreds of IT companies in Washington to explore.

Some of the notable tech hubs in Washington in the D.C. area are Crystal City, Dupont Circle, Georgetown, NoMa (North of Massachusetts Avenue), and Tysons Corner.

2. California

In California, you might work in a range of technological fields, including computer programming, technological equipment manufacturing, telecommunications, professional services and artificial intelligence research. Here's information about some IT positions in California.

Tech Professionals

As of October 2023, in California, there are 6,610 Information Technology Analyst jobs. The average annual salary in this field is a generous $98,585. Even at the entry level, salaries start at $69,000, while seasoned professionals in the top 10% earn up to $139,000 annually. With a Location Quotient of 1.17, indicating high demand, California offers both abundant opportunities and competitive salaries for Information Technology Analysts.

The number of people employed in the technology sector of California increased by 2.6% in 2022, reaching nearly 40,000, which is the second-highest total in the United States. This increase is not surprising since California's technology industry contributes significantly to both the US and state economies.

Tech Hubs & Tech Companies

Many California technology companies have utilized the state’s location by opening offices in different cities. Expanding a brand’s presence in other cities and domestic markets is essential to fostering a reputable corporate reputation while building a brand’s internal workforce.

Numerous technological businesses in California have opened offices in various locations, taking advantage of its location. They built an internal workforce of brand and cultivated a presentable corporate reputation both depend on expansion into new cities and domestic markets.

If we speak about location, we can’t talk about California being a tech hub without talking about Silicon Valley. Located in Northern California, Silicon Valley is home to some of the biggest and most influential tech companies such as Apple, Adobe, Cisco Systems, Microsoft, Oracle.

In a February 2023 report, it was revealed that Silicon Valley contributes to 13.1% of California's gross domestic product and 9.6% of the state's employment opportunities. 

California is home to a good deal of IT, technological research and programming companies, making it one of the best states for IT professionals. While Silicon Valley is the most well-known place for IT work, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Davis are also key employment hubs.

3. Massachusetts

Massachusetts is a state that is known for its top-rated innovation economy. Home to a long list of leading technology companies, academic institutions, incubators, entrepreneurs, and researchers, considered one of the best places in the United States to start a business, develop new ideas, or launch a technology-based enterprise.

This mix of top assets has placed Massachusetts at the top of multiple independent rankings, including:

• Massachusetts has been ranked as the #1 state in Bloomberg's State Innovation Index for both 2015 and 2016.

• The Milken Institute’s State Tech and Science Index has ranked Massachusetts as the top state for 8 consecutive years.

• Consumer Technology Association recognized Massachusetts as an “Innovation Champion”, while the Center for Data Innovation named it the top state of 2017.

Investions in Innovation

The state of Massachusetts invests in innovation, supports projects that boost emerging tech sectors and maintain its global leadership in developing new, cutting-edge technologies. 

Let’s discover together how these projects support the Massachusetts innovation economy and learn how your company can become a partner in these projects: 

• Support Advanced Manufacturing through the M2I2 Initiative;

• Invest in cutting-edge R&D infrastructure and research partnerships between leading private-sector tech companies & Massachusetts research institutions; 

• Lead the Massachusetts Digital Health Initiative and the development of tech at the nexus of healthcare & technology; 

• Invest in Rural Broadband expansion, delivering connectivity to unserved towns; and 

• Developing in-depth research on the Commonwealth's world-class Robotics Cluster. 

According to the Milken Institute, the success of Massachusetts is based on a high level of R&D spending, a developing biotech sector, a strong IT workforce, and a well-supported higher education.

Tech Professionals

Massachusetts has a strong job market in Information Technology, with 2,394 job openings as of October 2023 according to Zippia. IT professionals in the state earn an attractive average annual salary of $93,577. Entry-level positions typically start at around $64,000, while those with expertise and experience can earn up to $135,000 annually.

Tech Hubs & Top Tech Companies

Several leading technology firms operating in various industries, such as biotechnology, software, healthcare, and others, are based in Massachusetts. Some of the notable tech companies in the state are HubSpot, IBM, NVIDIA, Salesforce, Adobe, Dell Technologies, among others.

Massachusetts is home to various important tech hubs and clusters that encourage innovation and technological progress. Notable tech hubs in the state include cities like Boston, Cambridge, Waltham, Worcester and institutions such as the Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC), Harvard and MIT.

4. Connecticut

Connecticut, a state with a rich history of innovation and economic development, has the potential to become a hub for technology talent. 

Tech Professionals

Connecticut has 700 Information Technology Professional jobs as of October 2023. The average annual salary for these jobs is $93,438. Among these professionals, the lowest 10% earn $63,000, while the highest 10% earn $136,000. The location quotient, indicating the concentration of these jobs relative to the national average, is 0.98.

According to the Bure­au of Labor Statistics, employment in computer and IT occupations is proje­cted to increase from 2020 to 2030, surpassing the average­ growth rate for all industries. If Connecticut will support IT ce­rtification training programs to equip its residents with the­ necessary skills it could help to close the current skills gap and maintain competitivene­ss in the global tech landscape.

According to the CT Tech Council, there are more than 6,000 technology and tech-related businesses within the state, employing some 120,000 people - giving Connecticut a tech industry concentration 1.13 times larger than the national average. In October, two high-tech giants announced innovative new programs in partnership with Connecticut’s institutions of higher education.

Tech Hubs & Top Tech Companies 

Amazon Web Services (AWS) announced a collaboration with Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) and the Connecticut Office of Workforce Strategy to provide technical skills training and education to more than 2,000 Connecticut residents by 2024.

Through this initiative, all CSCU community colleges and universities will be able to offer courses and certificates that align with skills needed to pursue in-demand careers in technical fields. The colleges will also work with interested high schools to provide access to cloud computing curricula.

In the week following the AWS announcement, Google and CSCU have announced Connecticut will become the first state to offer Google Career Certificates as part of the Grow with Google economic opportunity initiative. The certificates, available on Coursera, equip individuals with skills for in-demand jobs within three to six months, without requiring a degree or experience. This comes amid a skills gap in the U.S. IT workforce.

Connecticut is home to tech subsectors in New London, New Haven, and Hartford. The state also hosts hubs in the fields of green energy, defense, life sciences, and insurance.

5. Rhode Island

Over the­ past few years, Rhode Island has be­en focused on improving its e­conomy. The growth of state has been e­vident across various sectors, including biotech, manufacturing, tourism, and FinTe­ch.

What sets Rhode Island apart from other re­gional locations is its commitment to providing a healthy work-life balance­. Being strategically positioned ne­ar major hubs like Boston and New York City further increase the significance of Rhode Island in the Atlantic FinTe­ch corridor.

Tech Professionals

The IT sector of Rhode Island is booming with 309 professional jobs, offering an average salary of $93,427. Entry-level professionals earn a minimum of $64,000, while the top 10% can make up to $135,000 annually, according to the list of best states for information technology professional jobs explored by Zippia.

Rhode Island is known for its talent, with over 180,000 computer and engineering professionals. The colleges of the state, including 11 universities like Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design, provide a deep intellectual pool that ensure a strong talent pool for diverse industries of the region.

All state colleges offer comprehensive programs in various fields such as computer science, data analytics, engineering, design, cybersecurity, statistics, business, entrepreneurship, finance, law, and liberal arts.

Tech Hubs & Top Tech Companies

Rhode Island, although a small state, has a growing technology sector. While it may not have well-defined tech hubs like larger states, there are several areas within the state that are notable for their tech-related activity such as Providence, Newport, Warwick, Pawtucket, South Kingstown.

Rhode Island hosts several major tech companies. Astronova, Inc., a leader in data visualization, and Nortek, known for HVAC solutions, are significant players such as: Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence, Core Business Technologies (a cloud-based tech company), and Rite-Solutions (specializing in software design and engineering).

6. New Jersey

New Jersey offers a wealth of valuable resources and accessibility for tech companies. This region is enriched by leading universities, including NJIT, NJCU, Rutgers-Newark, and Stevens Institute of Technology, which serve as a reliable source of specialized tech talent.

An interesting fact about is New Jersey is that it holds the top rank in the U.S. for broadband connectivity, with 64% of residents enjoying access to fiber optic services. Also, the region offers an extensive 2 million square feet of data center space. 

The increasing trend among technology and finance companies is to choose Northern New Jersey instead of New York City. This decision allows them to reduce real estate costs while staying close to the New York City market.

Tech Professionals

 According to source, New Jersey is:

• The highest concentration of scientists and engineers in the US.

• Among the 2nd largest tech talent pool in the US and one of the most diverse in the country. 

• A robust pipeline of talent, supported by 150+ higher education institutions, including #1 - ranked Princeton.

At the same time, source states that in New Jersey:

• Employees have access to the #1 ranked pre-K-12 education system in the nation.

• Employees have a choice of commutable city, small town, country, and coastal living.

• Employing nearly 10% of the US tech workforce making it the second-largest tech employment hub in the nation.

According to Choose New Jersey, the employment stats and forecasts in the tech industry are positive and about to grow.

On this note the source mentions that:

• 450,000+ Tech workers in the NJ region 

• 2nd Largest share US tech workers 

• 2.7X More tech workers added by 2028 than MA

Deep pool of highly specialized tech workers at the ready:

• 3rd in number of cybersecurity analysts. 

• 2nd in number of software and application developers. 

• 3rd in number of information research scientists per square mile. 

Tech Hubs & Tech Companies

New Jersey is home to several thriving tech hubs, where innovative startups and established tech companies prosper. In some of the most popular New Brunswick, Newark, Jersey City, and other high-tech hubs such as Camden, Princeton and among others. 

In New Jersey, there are more than 10,000 tech companies out of which 64 are already registered IT companies on TechBehemoths. Most notable names include leaders like Audible and Verizon.

7. Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania offers numerous opportunities for entrepreneurs, including starting a new business or expanding an existing one. With reliable infrastructure, world-class universities, a skilled workforce, low living costs, and a high quality of life. Pennsylvania provides numerous resources and support to help entrepreneurs overcome challenges and start a business.

Tech industry of Pennsylvania is dominated by companies and universities, with seven leading research universities and competitive tech clusters in robotics, advanced materials, healthcare IT, medical diagnostics, software development, powdered metals, and connector technology.

• Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, for example, is known for its tech commercialization and spin-offs and production of world-class talent in the tech space. 

• University City Science Center in Philadelphia offers labs, office space and support services for entrepreneurs.

• Harrisburg University is consistently ranked among the top universities for science, technology, engineering, and maths.

Tech Professionals

In Pennsylvania, the demand for Information Technology Analysts is booming, with 2,015 jobs available. These professionals earn an average annual salary of $87,240, ranging from $64,000 for entry-level positions to $117,000 for the top 10%. 

As the te­ch industry expands in Pennsylvania, there­ is a high demand for hiring new talent. The­ tech workforce in the state­ has increased by 7.6% from January 2021 to April 2022. In Pittsburgh specifically, te­ch workers accounted for approximately 26% of the­ total workforce in 2020.

Tech Hubs & Top Tech Companies

Some of the notable tech hubs in Pennsylvania are Scranton, State College, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, York, and Lancaster. If you dream of starting your own tech company, these Pennsylvania cities should be at the top of your list.

Pennsylvania is home to some of the most well-known IT firms in the world, including Comcast, Bentley Systems, Duolingo. These can be found in several places, including Pittsburgh, Exton.

Although Pennsylvania may not have­ been traditionally recognize­d as a tech hub, it’s quickly gaining attention, espe­cially Pittsburgh. As well as Google, Amazon, and Uber established the­ir presence the­re, the city is known for its vibrant startup culture, attracting top tech talent from across the United States.

8. North Carolina

Tech Professionals

As of October 2023, In North Carolina are 1,973 Information Technology Analyst jobs, offering a diverse and growing career landscape. The average annual salary for IT Analysts is $84,416, with starting salaries at $62,000 for the lower 10% and potential earnings of up to $114,000 for the top 10%. With a Location Quotient of 1.06, indicating a stable job market, North Carolina provides promising opportunities for individuals pursuing careers in IT analysis, state Zippia. 

North Carolina has become a place to be for developers, designers, and other jobs seekers in the tech industry. This state is attractive to metaverse-minded companies in part because of its relatively powerful network infrastructure, especially in Raleigh, the capital city.

In 2022, North Carolina was named the “top state for business” in the United States by CNBC, due to its record of innovation and recent economic success. According to official data, the employment growth of North Carolina was 3.6% and its economy grew by 6.7% in the previous year.

Tech Hubs & Top Tech Companies

Cities throughout North Carolina like Charlotte, Greensboro, Fayetteville, invest in resources and infrastructure to help the technology and innovation industry expand. It is building the state as a top tech hub in a wide range of industries, including software publishing, life sciences, fintech and cybersecurity, military and defense operations, and entrepreneurship.

The Research Triangle, also known as The Triangle, is a metropolitan area in North Carolina's Piedmont region, anchored by Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. It is home to three major research universities: North Carolina State University, Duke University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The name “Triangle” originated in the 1950s with the creation of Research Triangle Park, the largest research park in the US, and numerous high-tech companies.

• The Triangle­, voted #1 by Forbes as the Be­st State to do Business, offers a more­ affordable option compared to most metro marke­ts.

• The Triangle­ Region has a business ecosyste­m, housing over 7,000 companies crossing various industries. The­se include Agtech, Cle­antech, Life Science­s, Advantaged Manufacturing, and Technology.

Apple, Google, Meta, and others have all announced new offices and large projects coming to North Carolina in the near future, expanding on previous efforts and creating thousands of new jobs.

9. Oregon 

Oregon offers some of the best paying tech jobs globally, located in the green forests and along the beautiful coast. These jobs are offered by both start-ups and large businesses with a proven track record of making tech innovations. People in Oregon have exciting career potentials and impressive compensation packages.

Tech Professionals

As of October 2023, there are more than 75,000 tech jobs and over 5,500 tech firms in Oregon. The Technology Association of America states that “year-over-year, the tech industry in Oregon has grown by 5.67%, while wages have increased by 10.65%”.

Also, as of October 2023, Oregon has 909 Information Technology Analyst jobs, offering an average annual salary of $94,210. Entry-level positions start at $68,000, while top earners make up to $129,000 annually. With a Location Quotient of 1.13, the demand for IT Analysts in Oregon is high, making it a promising career choice, according to Zippia. 

Moreover, in 2018, Oregon got the most technological investments in the last two decades. Over $600 million was gained by entrepreneurs to help develop the tech economy.                        

Tech Hubs & Top Tech Companies

With a solid tech scene that sometimes flies under the radar, Oregon is an unexpectedly great place to start a new career. In addition to being home to sports and outdoor wear phenomenons Nike and Columbia, there are more than 80 major tech companies based out of the North-Western state. If you're an Oregonian thinking about launching a career in tech, or want to get the scoop on a potential new location to launch your next chapter, read on.

As for the largest tech hubs in Oregon, we can mention Portland, Eugene and Hilsboro among others - which are also the largest cities in the state. 

Here’s a list of the largest tech companies in Oregon based on revenue. Let’s have a look at the top tech companies in Oregon.

10. Utah

Utah easily ranks number one as the best state for startups in America as a Tech Hub, according to a Sleek Capital study of all 50 states.

Tech Professionals

The deep talent pool in Utah provides a significant advantage for startups because they don’t have to look out-of-state for employees. Most degree-holders in the tech talent pool graduated from Utah State, the University of Utah, and Brigham Young. 

Tech Hubs & Tech Companies

If you compare real estate prices in Silicon Valley to real estate in Utah, it becomes clear why many of the most giant tech companies such as Microsoft, Canva, Amazon, Tesla, SpaceX, have made Salt Lake City their home. Startups in Silicon Slopes can build massive offices to house their growing workforce for a fraction of the cost.

The Utah government offered Facebook a significant $150 million tax incentive to start its data center in Utah. More than 6000 of the most innovative startups and tech companies call Silicon Slopes home.