When it comes to landing a job in technology, there seems like the possibilities are endless. However, some States can provide more opportunities than others. Here are the top 5 States to get a job in technology.
Texas
Texas has no shortage of tech companies, hello Apple, Dell, and Samsung. The area ranks ninth with 62 tech employees per 1,000 jobs, but the median annual tech salary lags behind a bit compared with others in the top 10 at $93,039. The technology sector adds $141.8 billion to the Texas state economy and workers earn a median wage of $81,858. Austin, Texas, and Dallas are among the top 10 cities for IT professionals to work and live. The Lone Star State is one of seven that collect no income taxes of any kind. For that reason, it often ranks high in lists of the most tax-friendly states, but its sales and property taxes aren’t quite as kind to the average taxpayer’s wallet.
New York
Experts say Silicon Valley will no longer be the technology innovation center of the world in a few years. It’s likely that Silicon Valley will cede that role to New York City, with other cities rapidly catching up. The state’s tax system combines a relatively low sales tax rate (4%, tied for the third-lowest rate in the country) with an income tax system that leans heavily on high earners. Meanwhile, New York City also levies its own income taxes, which means residents of the Big Apple pay some of the nation’s highest local rates.
North Carolina
While North Carolina ranked 13th, for net tech employment, the Tar Heel state had substantial gains in software and web developers, IT services and custom software services and packaged software. North Carolina is one of eight states with a flat income tax. Of those eight states, North Carolina has the highest flat tax rate at 5.25%. These days it seems many are looking for the amenities of city living while maintaining that small-town feel, which NC offers. Raleigh is a slightly more expensive place to live in compared to the national average, which is not uncommon in university towns.
Florida
The Florida metropolitan area has been home to NASA’s John F. Kennedy Space Center known as “America’s gateway to space” since 1962. Not surprisingly, the most common STEM job in the area is aerospace engineering and operations technicians. The area also has a rapidly growing technology industry. Florida is a low-tax state, which means that taxes don’t pay a huge role in the cost of living in Florida. As a matter of fact, there’s no state income tax in Florida. Plus, the average effective property tax rate in Florida is 1.02%, which is less than the national average.
California
The Golden State ranks first for net tech employment, net tech employment jobs added and is considered the most innovative. And although Silicon Valley’s cost of living is astronomical, squeezing local startups and independent developers trying to build the Next Big Thing, the area remains home to technology giants such as Facebook and Google, which will likely ensure its dominance for some time to come.
As you can see, there are several options available to you. Are there any States you would recommend? Let us know!