In the ever-evolving tech industry, career opportunities vary widely across the U.S. states; while some states are hubs for innovation and career growth, others face significant challenges.

The research team at Psychologyjobs.com conducted a study based on eight key metrics to determine the best and the worst U.S. states for tech careers. The study looked at each state’s data on annual and hourly earnings, tech workforce, business establishments, events, job openings, job density, and cost of living.

The Five Best States for Tech Careers

1. California

Hailed as the tech hub, California unsurprisingly takes the top spot with a score of 75.83%. The Golden State has more tech business than any other state (31,627 establishments), and employs the largest tech workforce (759,060 strong). California also hosts many tech events (14.02 per capita), placing it fifth in this category, and it ranks fourth for the number of tech job postings.

However, there is an aspect in which California does not rank very well. Despite offering the highest tech salaries in the nation, the cost of living in Califonia relative to these salaries is quite high, ranking it in the 34th spot in this category.

2. Virginia

Second on the list is Virginia, with a score of 66.19%. The state leads with its job postings (164,958) and ranks second in tech jobs density (60.67 tech jobs per 1,000 openings), offering numerous opportunities for tech professionals.

Although the cost of living is the highest in the U.S., the state ranks sixth for income and third for the number of tech employees. This suggests that despite financial considerations, Virginia’s tech industry offers lucrative opportunities and advantages for tech professionals. However, tech event enthusiasts might find Virginia less appealing, as the state ranks 36th with only 6.30 free events per capita.

3. Washington

Washington ranks third among the best states for tech careers, with a total score of 65.74%. It has the second-largest tech workforce (214,780 employees) and ranks second for annual wages averaging $137,260, highlighting its strong job market and competitive salaries. The state also excels in job availability, ranking first in job density with 61.44 tech jobs per 1,000 openings. Additionally, Washington is ranked 14th for job opportunities with 63,132 openings.

4. Maryland

Maryland takes the fourth spot among the best states for technology careers, with a score of 63.89%. Despite ranking 22nd for the number of tech business establishments, the state offsets this with many job postings, ranking third in job density (50.99 jobs per 1,000 openings). This indicates a high demand for tech professionals, making Maryland a great place for opportunities and growth in the tech industry. Maryland also supports its tech community and ranks 10th for free tech events. Additionally, Maryland offers competitive salaries, ranking fourth in both annual and hourly compensations.

5. Colorado

Colorado takes the fifth spot with a score of 58.21%. The state takes the seventh spot for annual and hourly wages in tech, and the sixth spot for its vast workforce of tech professionals (137,030 employees). Ranking fifth in tech jobs per 1,000 positions and third in job postings per 1,000 people, Colorado shows strong job availability and career opportunities. Despite ranking 16th in the number of tech business establishments, Colorado hosts 11.62 free tech events per capita, supporting its big tech community.

The Five Worst States for Tech Careers

50. West Virginia

West Virginia ranks at the very bottom of the list and it is the least favorable state for technology careers, with a score of only 14.75%. Despite offering a relatively lower cost of living and ranking first in this category, the state faces challenges in other aspects that are crucial for tech professionals. With only 12,860 tech employees and minimal job postings per 1,000 people, West Virginia ranks among the worst for its workforce size and job opportunities.

The state does not stand in a good position (sixth from the bottom) with salaries either. Tech professionals in West Virginia make only $41.79 per hour. Moreover, it trails behind in tech events, with low community engagement opportunities compared to top-ranking states. These factors underscore the difficulties tech workers might face in West Virginia’s tech market.

49. Mississippi

Mississippi ranks second from the bottom of the list with a score of 15.20%. Despite offering a low cost of living, which ranks seventh nationwide, similar to West Virginia, the state struggles in several key areas that are crucial for tech professionals. With just 15,980 tech employees and minimal job postings per 1,000 people, Mississippi falls short in workforce size and job opportunities compared to top-performing states. Mississippi has one the lowest salaries in the nation for tech professionals ($36.54 per hour), almost half of what they could make in California ($68.40).

48. Wyoming

Wyoming ranks third from the bottom of the list with a score of 18.26%. Like Mississippi and West Virginia, the state offers a relatively low cost of living, but it faces significant challenges in other key areas. Wyoming ranks last in the number of tech employees with just 3,570 individuals and second from the bottom for job postings per capita. Wyoming also ranks relatively poorly for free tech events and even worse for salaries.

47. Kentucky

Kentucky ranks 47th on the list of best states for technology careers with a score of 19.12%. Despite having a lower cost of living than many other states, ranking eigth in this category, Kentucky faces challenges with limited job postings (ranking 45th), a small tech workforce (ranking 41st), and second-lowest salaries in the nation ($40.77). With only 1.33 free tech events per 1,000 people, Kentucky also falls behind in community engagement opportunities for tech professionals.

46. Louisiana

With a score of 20.20%, Louisiana ranks among the bottom five states for technology careers due to several factors. It faces challenges such as limited job openings (ranking 44th) and lower hourly wages (ranking 28th). The state also struggles with a high cost of living relative to tech salaries, ranking 30th in this regard. Additionally, Louisiana has fewer tech employees, which further impacts its tech industry.

Methodology and Conclusion

This study analyzed eight metrics to determine which are the best and the worst U.S. states for tech careers. Each of these factors was given a numerical score to rank each state. The data for each state was scaled, weighted, and totaled to produce the final ranking for this study.

Here are the factors, along with their respective weights:

• Mean annual wage for tech jobs: 15%
• Median hourly wage for tech jobs: 15%
• Number of jobs per 1,000 jobs: 15%
• Total tech employees: 10%
• Number of job postings: 15%
• Number of business establishments: 10% (as within the “Information” industry)
• Free tech events: 10%
• Cost of living as per tech salary: 10%

“Results show that there are significant differences in the tech industry among the states,” said a spokesperson at Psychologyjobs.com. “Knowing which states offer more openings, higher salaries, and host more tech events will help you in your professional journey and ensure that you remain at the forefront of the industry’s ever-evolving environment.”