IT and Tech Salaries Across the Country: Beyond Silicon Valley
March 15, 2026
The technology industry's shift toward remote work, combined with years of wage growth in secondary markets, has changed the geography of tech salaries. While San Francisco and Seattle remain at the top, BLS OEWS data shows strong wages for tech workers in markets that rarely make headlines.
Emerging Tech Markets
Several metros have built significant tech sectors over the past decade:
- Austin, TX — Oracle, Dell, Tesla, and a dense startup ecosystem; no state income tax
- Washington State — Amazon and Microsoft anchor a massive tech labor market
- Colorado — Denver and Boulder have attracted major tech employers
- North Carolina — Research Triangle is home to major tech operations from Apple, Google, and others
Cost-Adjusted Value
A software developer earning $130,000 in Texas or North Carolina may have greater purchasing power than one earning $160,000 in California. BLS nominal wage figures don't capture purchasing power, but they're the starting point for any analysis.
Browse Computer and Math Occupations
Find wages for software developers, systems analysts, computer scientists, and more in the Computer and Mathematical Occupations group.