Top cities for tech jobs
Discover the top career destinations for cybersecurity and IT professionals in Liquid Web’s in-depth study
Washington, DC ranked top city for cybersecurity and IT careers in 2025
Liquid Web's cybersecurity and IT careers study identifies the best U.S. cities for professionals in this fast-growing field. We analyzed factors such as salaries, job availability, and cost of living to rank locations overall and by career stage.
For 2025, Washington, DC, claimed the top spot, outperforming other cities in employment density, pay, and career opportunities, making it a standout destination for tech talent.
This report highlights the cities that offer the highest salaries, the most opportunities, and the best career trajectories for cybersecurity and IT professionals.
Key points
- Washington, DC, is the top tech city for cybersecurity and IT careers, followed by Baltimore, Maryland, and Atlanta, Georgia.
- San Jose, California ($143.5K), San Francisco, California ($131.7K), and Seattle, Washington ($126.2K) are the highest paying cities for cybersecurity and IT careers.
- Washington, DC, has the highest number of cybersecurity and IT employees per 100,000 residents, the highest location quotient for cybersecurity and IT careers, and the most job postings.
- Washington, DC, is the top city for entry-level, mid-level, and senior-level cybersecurity and IT careers.
Ranking the best cities for tech jobs in 2025
For cybersecurity and IT professionals, location can influence career opportunities, earning potential, and professional growth, regardless of whether you work remotely or onsite.
The top cities in our ranking demonstrate a mix of job availability, competitive pay, and a robust tech infrastructure, positioning them as the best destinations for IT talent.
The Washington, DC, area emerged as the leading location for cybersecurity and IT careers. Known for its high concentration of federal agencies and tech firms, the nation's capital offers unmatched opportunities in the field.
Following closely was Baltimore, Maryland, in second and Atlanta, Georgia, in third. Located outside of DC, Baltimore is a more affordable tech hub with a strong presence of cybersecurity firms. Meanwhile, Atlanta's rapidly growing tech ecosystem makes it an ideal city for job seekers.
Top-paying cities for cybersecurity and IT careers
Salary and job market concentration are critical factors for professionals evaluating the best cities for cybersecurity and IT careers. These are the places with the highest pay and most opportunities in the industry.
Washington, DC, outperformed all other cities in these key metrics:
- Employment density: The capital had the highest number of cybersecurity and IT professionals per 100,000 residents.
- Location quotient: The city ranked first for its concentration of cybersecurity and IT careers compared to the national average, meaning these jobs are much more common in DC than in other parts of the country.
- Job openings: DC offered the largest number of open positions for tech professionals nationwide.
The cities offering the most employment for cybersecurity and IT professionals are notable, as they also house the largest data centers in the U.S. Northern Virginia is the largest data center market, justifying the prevalence of jobs in the Washington, DC area and Baltimore.
However, when it came to salary, San Jose, California, led the nation with an impressive average salary of $143,460 for cybersecurity and IT professionals, followed by San Francisco at $131,715 and Seattle at $126,193. These West Coast cities benefit from their positions as tech industry hubs, driving salaries to the top of the national scale.
When comparing some of these metrics to last year, we observed the following:
- The top 5 cities for employment density were the same, except that the top 4 cities saw a slight decline in density. Miami, Florida, however, increased from 6,602 to 7,011 cybersecurity and IT professionals per 100,000.
- San Jose, California, ranked 4th last year with a location quotient of 2.01, meaning cybersecurity and IT jobs were twice as common as the national average. This year, it dropped to 10th place with 1.51.
- Last year, San Jose and San Francisco, California, ranked 1st and 2nd in average salary. This year, San Jose's average dropped by $4,000, while San Francisco's increased by $6,000.
- Seattle and New York City had roughly the same average salary last year ($116,000), but Seattle saw an average increase of $10,000, and NYC gained $2,500 this year.
"There's a critical need for professionals to align their goals with the right markets. For aspiring tech talent, DC offers unparalleled entry-level tech jobs, while cities like San Jose offer top-tier salaries."
Ryan MacDonald
Chief Technology Officer at Liquid Web
Best cities for cybersecurity and IT workers by experience level
Career opportunities in cybersecurity and IT vary significantly by experience level, with some cities standing out as ideal destinations for entry-level, mid-level, or senior professionals.
Based on salaries and the number of open positions, Washington, DC, ranked as the top city for entry-level cybersecurity and IT careers. The city offered abundant opportunities and resources for those just starting in the tech industry.
For those already working in tech, top talent destinations varied slightly.
Top 10 cities for mid-level tech careers
- Washington, DC
- Baltimore, Maryland
- San Jose, California
- San Francisco, California
- New York, New York
- Seattle, Washington
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Los Angeles, California
- Durham, North Carolina
- Denver, Colorado
While entry-level and mid-level opportunities provide a solid foundation, professionals seeking to advance their careers often look for cities that cater to more experienced roles, such as IT directors, cybersecurity architects, and chief information security officers (CISOs).
Let’s now explore the top 10 cities that are prime destinations for seasoned cybersecurity and IT professionals ready to take their careers to the next level.
Top 10 cities for senior-level
tech jobs
- Washington, DC
- Baltimore, Maryland
- San Jose, California
- San Francisco, California
- New York, New York
- Seattle, Washington
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Denver, Colorado
- Durham, North Carolina
- Atlanta, Georgia
The future of cybersecurity and IT careers
As cybersecurity and IT continue to dominate the tech landscape, Washington, DC, stands out as the ultimate hub for professionals at every career level. Its unparalleled density of jobs, competitive pay, and high volume of open positions create unmatched opportunities for growth.
For those seeking affordability and strong tech ecosystems, Baltimore and Atlanta also shine as top-tier destinations.
With cities like San Jose and San Francisco leading on salary and others excelling in job concentration and affordability, professionals have diverse options to align their career goals with the right location.
As demand for cybersecurity and IT skills grows, these top cities offer the resources and opportunities needed to thrive in a competitive digital world.
"The future of tech careers hinges on opportunity and accessibility. Companies must target tech hubs to attract and retain talent, while policymakers should focus on fostering affordability and job growth to stay competitive."
Ryan MacDonald
Chief Technology Officer at Liquid Web
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