12 Best States for IT Jobs (With Salaries)

Working in information technology (IT) can be a rewarding career that gives you opportunities to advance professionally and earn a competitive salary. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts a 13% increase in computer and information technology jobs by 2030, a larger increase than the average industry. If you're interested in an IT career, learning about states with thriving tech sectors might help you decide where you want to work. In this article, we list 12 states with strong IT industries and explain the benefits of working in these states.

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12 best states for IT jobs

Here's information on 12 top states for IT jobs, including major metropolitan regions, key industries and sample jobs. These states have earned their position on this list because they have several metropolitan technology hubs, a growing number of IT jobs and competitive pay for technology positions. The pay for IT positions in these states might depend on the cost of living in that area and the job level. For the most up-to-date salary information, click on the Indeed salaries page linked for each role below.

1. California

California is home to many IT, technological research and programming companies, making it one of the best states for IT professionals. While Silicon Valley might be the most well-known area for IT jobs, other major employment hubs include San Francisco, Los Angeles, Sacramento and Davis. 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:

1. IT analyst: $77,294 per year

2. Database administrator: $94,368 per year

3. IT manager: $95,681 per year

4. Chief information officer: $113,709 per year

5. Software architect: $153,034 per year

Related: Learn About 20 Tech Companies in California

2. New York

There are many tech companies with locations in New York and the international trade and research development in New York City provides IT professionals throughout the state with high pay and competitive benefits. While New York City is the largest city in the state and the biggest tech hub, other cities like Rochester, Albany and Poughkeepsie also have a variety of IT firms. Tech companies in this state provide technological support for a wide range of industries including fintech, health care and manufacturing. Here are some IT jobs you might find in New York:

1. IT analyst: $68,490 per year

2. Network engineer: $84,889 per year

3. Cybersecurity specialist: $85,186 per year

4. Data engineer: $127,979 per year

5. Chief technology officer: $154,012 per year

Related: Learn About 12 Tech Companies in Rochester, New York

3. Virginia

Virginia's tech hubs include the cities of Richmond, Alexandria, Falls Church and Reston. Because it borders the nation's capital, northern Virginia is home to defense contractors, security firms and other organizations that provide IT support for government agencies. This region is called the Dulles Technology Corridor for its high number of technology jobs, competitive pay and advancement opportunities. Besides defense, key tech fields include health care, professional services and software programming. Here are some IT jobs in Virginia plus salary information:

1. IT support specialist: $55,768 per year

2. Network administrator: $76,811 per year

3. IT technician: $94,500 per year

4. IT project manager: $108,939 per year

5. Cybersecurity specialist: $109,899 per year

Related: Exploring 21 of the Top Tech Companies in Virginia

4. Texas

The lower cost of living in Texas has caused many large IT firms to start branch locations in the state. In Texas, top cities for IT jobs include Austin, Houston and the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Some tech firms in Texas support the energy industry by providing logistics software and technical support for oil and natural gas extraction firms. Other companies focus on health care technology, telecommunications, software development, marketing services and other industries. Here are some IT jobs in Texas plus salary information:

1. IT support specialist: $39,675 per year

2. IT technician: $52,393 per year

3. IT project manager: $95,737 per year

4. IT security specialist: $100,730 per year

5. Technology consultant: $104,690 per year

Related: Learn About 21 Tech Companies in Texas

5. Florida

Florida is a top state for IT jobs because of its wide range of related industries, global company headquarters and multiple tech hubs. Cities in Florida with thriving tech sectors include Tampa, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and Jacksonville. In Florida, tech companies might support a variety of industries, such as defense, aerospace, health care and manufacturing. Companies in the Orlando area might also provide tech support for resorts and entertainment companies. Here are some IT jobs in Florida plus salary information:

1. SEO specialist: $48,060 per year

2. Network administrator: $65,443 per year

3. IT analyst: $70,028 per year

4. IT manager: $75,244 per year

5. IT security specialist: $99,106 per year

Related: Learn About 15 Tech Companies in Florida (Plus Descriptions)

6. Washington

The state of Washington is home to technology firms that serve clients in a range of industries, including electronic retail, professional services, IT consulting and software development. According to the BLS, Washington state has the third-highest average wage for computer and information researchers in the nation, making this state a top location for IT professionals. Seattle is the state's largest IT hub but other cities with IT companies include Bellevue and Tacoma. Here are some IT positions you might get at a company in the state of Washington:

1. IT support specialist: $47,656 per year

2. Computer systems analyst: $75,415 per year

3. IT technician: $81,412 per year

4. IT manager: $90,715 per year

5. Network architect: $93,616 per year

Related: Learn About 20 Software Companies in Bellevue, Washington

7. New Jersey

New Jersey's closeness to New York City has made it a hub for fintech and IT services that support the stock market and other international institutions in the city. The state's lower cost of living compared to New York has made it an attractive location for many IT companies, which has increased the number of IT jobs. In New Jersey, popular cities for IT and technology companies include Newark, Jersey City and New Brunswick. The state is also home to branches of several international software development firms. Here are some IT jobs you might find in New Jersey:

1. Technical support manager: $66,372 per year

2. Network administrator: $72,218 per year

3. Systems analyst: $76,931 per year

4. IT project manager: $87,010 per year

5. IT security specialist: $101,273 per year

Related: Learn About 12 Software Companies in New Jersey

8. Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is a top state for IT jobs because of its growing tech sector fueled by startup companies and branches of international corporations. There are a wide range of IT companies in Pennsylvania, including fintech companies, medical technology manufacturers, software development firms and supply chain logistics service providers. The state's many universities also provide IT positions for entry-level, associate and senior technology professionals. Cities with thriving tech sectors include Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Erie and Harrisburg. Here's information about some in-demand IT positions in Pennsylvania:

1. IT support specialist: $46,345 per year

2. Database manager: $53,594 per year

3. Network administrator: $63,532 per year

4. IT manager: $85,667 per year

5. IT director: $88,188 per year

Related: 21 Tech Companies in Pennsylvania

9. Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, IT companies serve clients in many industries, including robotics, manufacturing, health care, software development and communications. The state is a top location for IT jobs because of the many research and development opportunities with universities, state agencies and international research firms. Many Massachusetts-based IT firms were founded by graduates of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Boston is the state's largest IT hub, but others include Lowell, Cambridge and Burlington. Here's information about some IT positions you might get with a Massachusetts-based company:

1. IT support specialist: $56,916 per year

2. IT technician: $65,469 per year

3. Technology consultant: $81,716 per year

4. Database developer: $95,135 per year

5. IT director: $140,167 per year

Related: Learn About 15 Tech Companies in Massachusetts

10. Illinois

The IT sector in Illinois, which started in Chicago, has expanded to include cities and suburbs surrounding the metroplex which offer a lower cost of living. You might get an IT position with companies in a wide range of industries including health care, manufacturing, software development and logistics. While Chicago is the largest center of IT companies in the state, other hubs include Naperville and DeKalb. The Illinois Technology and Research Corridor, a region that includes the Chicago metropolitan area, is home to many international technological and industrial corporations. Here are some IT jobs in Illinois:

1. IT support specialist: $46,570 per year

2. IT manager: $89,455 per year

3. IT security specialist: $93,801 per year

4. Network architect: $116,454 per year

5. Data engineer: $117,307 per year

Related: Learn About 25 Software Companies in Chicago

11. North Carolina

North Carolina has a growing IT sector with companies that provide technological solutions for health care, manufacturing, agriculture and other industries, making it a top state for IT jobs. Many IT companies in the state operate from the Research Triangle, a region that includes Raleigh, Cary, Durham and Chapel Hill. These companies benefit from research opportunities with several large universities in the area. Other technology hubs include Charlotte, which is the state's financial technology center, and Greensboro. Here are some IT jobs you might find in North Carolina:

1. IT technician: $61,903 per year

2. Systems analyst: $62,789 per year

3. Systems administrator: $67,169 per year

4. Network engineer: $79,727 per year

5. IT director: $102,987 per year

Related: Learn About 25 Tech Companies in North Carolina

12. Michigan

Michigan is a top state for IT jobs because this manufacturing center has begun to expand into advanced computer engineering and IT, attracting startups and large corporations. The state's IT sector specializes in technological manufacturing support and cybersecurity programs. Other areas include health care technology, telecommunications and professional services. Detroit is the city's largest IT hub but others include Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids. Here are some IT jobs you might get at a Michigan-based company:

1. IT support specialist: $40,479 per year

2. Network administrator: $61,950 per year

3. Webmaster: $74,556 per year

4. Technical support manager: $81,822 per year

5. System engineer: $99,179 per year