Unexpected Tech Hubs Emerge Across the Country

As the technology landscape evolves and the cost of living in major tech hubs like Silicon Valley and New York City skyrocket, new ones are emerging across the country in small and medium-sized markets. Many of these hubs offer a combination of lower cost of living and high-quality tech wages, said data recovery specialist Secure Data Recovery in a recent report.

The top three emerging markets in the industry are Flint, Michigan; Brownsville, Texas; and Racine, Wisconsin, according to the firm, which analyzed employment and wage data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for tech industries in 145 small and medium U.S. ‘hub-politan’ areas. Flint, once known primarily for its automotive industry, secured its spot at the top of the list thanks to nearly 114% growth in high-tech wages from 2018 to 2023 to an average weekly rate of $2,044, and 64% growth in the number of high-tech employees. Fueling the city’s tech fire is its MI Tech Hub Initiative, the University of Michigan’s commitment to STEM pathways and the Great Lakes Tech Center.

Brownsville experienced a slight decrease in high-tech wages but posted an impressive 125% increase in high-tech employees to earn the second-place spot. The city’s proximity to international trade routes and a growing entrepreneurial spirit are propelling Brownsville’s tech sector, said the report. With high-tech employee growth of 91.5% and wage growth of nearly 20%, Racine came in third. The city is working to transform its manufacturing heritage with new initiatives focused on building a tech-savvy workforce and attracting startups.

Rounding out the top 5 were Manhattan, Kansas, with 70.7% employee growth and 20.55% wage growth each and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, with 53.36% employee growth and 31.21% wage growth. The top 10 also includes Greeley, Colorado; Bend, Oregon; Boise City, Idaho; Sioux City, Iowa; and Trenton, New Jersey.

The top 20 medium-sized metros have added 26,060 tech jobs since 2018, with an average of 1,303 new jobs per hub. Wages have gotten a boost as well. The average weekly tech wage for the top 20 medium hubs is up by $398 since 2018, reaching $1,758 in 2023, said the report.

Small cities are also getting in on the tech action. Overall, the top 20 small hubs on the list have added over 6,400 tech jobs since 2018, averaging 322 new jobs per hub. The average weekly tech wage in these markets has jumped by $320 since 2018, reaching $1,689 in 2023.