Employee sentiment in the tech industry is shifting, with a significant rise in tech professionals actively seeking new roles. According to recent data, 47% of tech workers are looking to make a change this year, a staggering increase from 29% last year. Even though salaries continue to see gradual increases, compensation alone is no longer enough to attract and retain top talent. People are increasingly prioritizing a well-rounded employment package, which includes benefits beyond just salary, and that often includes a change of pace in a new location, especially as it pertains to cost of living and growth opportunities.
With many professionals looking to advance their careers, tech hubs in the West and Mountain West United States—such as Phoenix, Denver, and Los Angeles—are emerging as prime locations for those seeking new opportunities and for organizations to focus on for their hiring efforts. IT staffing firms like Prosum are uniquely positioned to facilitate tech hiring across the entire region through their expert recruiter and account executive teams who have a long-standing and strong local presence in these areas.
A Great Choice for Tech Professionals in Phoenix / Tempe
Ranked 19th overall among the top 20 North American tech markets, Phoenix is an excellent location for tech professionals considering a location change. With a tech scene that is growing twice as fast as other sectors, the city has plenty of career development opportunities within high-demand fields like cloud computing, cybersecurity, and AI. Plus, Phoenix stands out amongst other major tech markets because of its more affordable cost of living. The rent-to-tech wage ratio here is 16.8%, making the city a great choice for tech professionals.
And just a few miles away from Phoenix, Tempe is also making a name for itself in the tech industry, with approximately 20% of its jobs and companies rooted in the tech industry. This number is set to grow even further with the recent announcement that Arizona State University has been chosen to receive $1 billion in CHIPS Act funding for an advanced laboratory research and semiconductor production facility. This will be the third CHIPS for America R&D flagship facility, and will play a key role in U.S. leadership in semiconductor innovation, economic growth, and national security. This will no doubt create numerous tech jobs in Tempe in the coming years, with opportunities for hands-on research with industry-leading tools and equipment. OpenAI is also considering Arizona for its Stargate project, making this state a rising tech hub that attracts talent and tech investments.
Los Angeles Continues to be a Diverse, Growing Tech Hub in the West
Los Angeles has a bustling and diverse tech scene, and similar to Phoenix, its tech landscape is currently heavily focused on AI, cloud computing, and cybersecurity. The city has a high-demand for professionals skilled in cloud services, AI frameworks, and programming languages like Python and JavaScript, with growing opportunities in industries like healthcare and entertainment. It also has a thriving startup culture– according to Be Great Partners’ recent LA Startup IMdustry Report, Los Angeles is ranked third globally for startups, just behind Silicon Valley and Tel Aviv.
One of Los Angeles’s largest appeals is its competitive salaries– the average tech wage is $124,461, and can be expected to garner 23.4% growth over the next five years. And for those looking for an incentive beyond salary, 71%of companies in Los Angeles offer remote benefits, allowing employees to avoid the infamous Los Angeles traffic and to have more flexible schedules.
Denver Tech Jobs Span Multiple Industries
Ranked 8th among the top 20 North American tech markets, Denver is an attractive option for tech professionals seeking new opportunities– especially for those in the early stages of their careers. The city has a next-gen workforce and according to ADP Research, Denver currently holds the hottest job market in the country, making job hunting much easier when you’re looking in a market with a strong hiring rate.
Denver is home to almost 130,000 tech professionals and is expected to see an impressive 36% growth in total tech occupations over the next five years. The city’s hot job market, along with surrounding areas like Aurora and Lakewood, is supported by industries like construction, manufacturing, and professional services. High-demand roles in Denver currently include software engineers and data engineers. And if you need another reason to consider Denver for your next tech job, a survey conducted by B2B revealed that Colorado was voted as the second-best state in the nation in terms of work-life balance.
Prosum, a leader in IT staffing solutions in the U.S. with staffing hubs in the West and Mountain West regions, is deeply rooted in these rising tech cities, and leverages local expertise in matching top tech talent with hiring organizations. Contact us today to discuss your next steps in hiring.
