Top 10 Cities for Science & Tech Jobs in 2025: Insights for HBCU Students | Midsize and Small Cities Included

Top 10 Cities for Tech Jobs in 2025

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that tech jobs will grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2033. While the largest cities lead the charge in tech innovation, midsize and smaller cities are increasingly offering compelling opportunities for tech professionals. Here’s a look at the top cities for tech roles in 2025 and some additional cities worth considering.

1. San Francisco, California

• Overview: The global tech epicenter with innovative startups and tech giants.
• Salaries [Indeed, Oct 2024]:
  • Data Scientist: $159,696
  • Software Developer: $150,387
  • Information Security Analyst: $76,554
• Top Companies: Meta, Salesforce, Google
• Networking Events:
  • Build With Code – West Coast
  • San Francisco and Bay Area Data and AI

2. New York City, New York

• Overview: Thrives in finance, media, and e-commerce, with abundant opportunities.
• Salaries [Indeed, Oct 2024]:
  • Data Scientist: $130,032
  • Software Engineer: $148,138
  • Information Security Analyst: $104,705
• Top Companies: IBM, JP Morgan & Chase, Verizon
• Networking Events:
  • Build With Code – New York City
  • Women in Software Engineering NYC

3. Seattle, Washington

• Overview: Home to Amazon and Microsoft, with a focus on cloud computing and biotech.
• Salaries [Indeed, Oct 2024]:
  • Data Scientist: $141,118
  • Software Developer: $135,287
  • Information Security Analyst: $88,146
• Top Companies: Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing
• Networking Events:
  • New Tech Seattle
  • North Seattle Tech Talks

4. Austin, Texas

• Overview: A startup haven with a lively tech and music scene.
• Salaries [Indeed, Oct 2024]:
  • Data Scientist: $130,313
  • Software Engineer: $103,862
  • Information Security Analyst: $99,343
• Top Companies: Dell Technologies, Apple, IBM
• Networking Events:
  • Austin Code Mentorship
  • Austin AI/ML/Data Developers Group

5. Boston, Massachusetts

• Overview: Biotech and education hub fostering innovation across domains.
• Salaries [Indeed, Oct 2024]:
  • Data Scientist: $128,659
  • Software Engineer: $116,612
  • Information Security Analyst: $91,132
• Top Companies: Dell Technologies, Apple, IBM
• Networking Events:
  • Boston Code and Coffee
  • The Boston Python User Group

6. Denver, Colorado

• Overview: A thriving cultural scene with a growing tech footprint.
• Salaries [Indeed, Oct 2024]:
  • Data Scientist: $119,334
  • Software Engineer: $112,644
  • Information Security Analyst: $96,643
• Top Companies: Lockheed Martin, Lumen, Comcast
• Networking Events:
  • denhac – The Denver Hackerspace
  • Let’s Talk Software Security

7. Atlanta, Georgia

• Overview: A diverse ecosystem thriving in healthcare, logistics, and cybersecurity.
• Salaries [Indeed, Oct 2024]:
  • Data Scientist: $105,541
  • Software Engineer: $99,178
  • Cybersecurity Analyst: $102,589
• Top Companies: AT&T, The Home Depot, IBM
• Networking Events:
  • Atlanta Java Users Group
  • PyAtl: Atlanta Python Programmers

8. Chicago, Illinois

• Overview: A fintech, healthtech, and logistics hub with rich cultural offerings.
• Salaries [Indeed, Oct 2024]:
  • Data Scientist: $108,618
  • Software Engineer: $102,348
  • Cybersecurity Analyst: $96,514
• Top Companies: Accenture, Deloitte, JPMorgan Chase
• Networking Events:
  • Data Science Dojo – Chicago
  • EvolveSec – Chicago Cybersecurity

9. Nashville, Tennessee

• Overview: Focuses on healthcare technology, music tech, and startups.
• Salaries [Indeed, Oct 2024]:
  • Data Scientist: $111,085
  • Software Engineer: $93,597
  • Information Security Analyst: $82,421
• Top Companies: Amazon, Dell Technologies, Apple
• Networking Events:
  • Data Science Nashville
  • PyNash

10. Raleigh, North Carolina

• Overview: A growing hub for research and startups in the Research Triangle.
• Salaries [Indeed, Oct 2024]:
  • Data Scientist: $98,863
  • Software Engineer: $101,170
  • Cybersecurity Analyst: $84,780
• Top Companies: Cisco Systems, IBM, SAS
• Networking Events:
  • RTP Python Meetup
  • Data Science Raleigh

Bonus: Midsize and Smaller Cities to Consider

1. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: A rising star in robotics and AI, benefiting from Carnegie Mellon University’s influence.
2. Salt Lake City, Utah: Gaining traction for startups in fintech and e-commerce.
3. Madison, Wisconsin: Known for healthtech and biotech innovation.
4. Richmond, Virginia: Emerging as a hub for data analytics and cybersecurity.
5. Boulder, Colorado: Focused on renewable energy and environmental tech.