Key Takeaways:
- Springfield, IL’s tech sector checks the highest share of female workforce at almost 40%, surpassing the nation’s most prominent tech hubs.
- Two California metros ensure the highest earnings for female tech professionals — San Jose and San Francisco — at $147,000 and $138,000 per year, respectively.
- The Midwest is home to some of the best areas for women in tech, boasting three of the top five small metros — Springfield, IL, Sioux Falls, SD, and Green Bay, WI, — all of which have affordable costs of living and low female unemployment rates.
- San Jose, CA, Boulder, CO, and Seattle, WA, claim the highest share of tech jobs out of all of the 200+ metros analyzed, making it easier for women to find professional opportunities in the tech sector.
Women are still relatively underrepresented in the tech sector, despite constantly gaining momentum in a wide range of work fields and climbing up the corporate ladder. In fact, although women make up almost 48% of today’s total global workforce, less than one-third of the tech workers in 2023 were female. That’s even lower than it was in 1984, when the share stood at 35%. As with anything else, though, location plays an important role in the equation as some places are more accommodating and enticing and provide better opportunities for professional growth for female professionals who embark on a tech-driven career.
With this in mind, we wanted to pinpoint the top U.S. metros for women in tech in 2024 as seen through a range of relevant metrics, such as the percentage of female tech workers out of the total number of tech professionals; the female tech earnings and unemployment rate; the percentage of tech jobs per 1,000 jobs; and the share of female tech workers with health insurance, among others. Given the rise in remote and hybrid work, we also considered the density of coworking spaces in each location, which can potentially support working women/mothers to find a flexible workspace close to home. Furthermore, to ensure that our ranking was relevant, we divided the more than 200 metros analyzed into three population brackets — large, mid-sized and small.
Golden State Glory: San Jose & San Francisco Boast Highest Earnings for Females in Tech Jobs
On a national level, California stood out not only due to its reputation for tech hubs, but also for being home to two popular metros where female tech professionals can reach the highest earnings in the country. Namely, in San Jose, the female tech incomes stood at $147,000 per year, while San Francisco followed close behind with a median of $138,000. Seattle is the third and only other metro to represent the West Coast, due to high earnings among female tech professionals, of almost $122,000 per year.
However, when it comes to the growth rate of female tech earnings in recent years, it’s the South that leads the way. More precisely, in Tuscaloosa, AL, the median wages for female tech professionals increased by a whopping 460% between 2018 and 2022, now standing at a yearly $67,591. Likewise, Shreveport, LA, also experienced impressive growth of 263% in the same period, which now puts it at a yearly median of $61,500.
Wide Availability of Jobs & High Earning Potential Make Large Coastal Markets Ideal for Women in Tech
San Jose, CA – Total Points: 65
Female tech workers in San Jose had the highest earnings in the country at a yearly median wage of $147,000. Granted, the spending in this region is also high, given that San Jose had the second-highest prices among the more than 200 metros on our list (surpassed only by San Francisco). However, the San Jose metro also makes it easier for female tech workers to access health care as nearly 66% of professional women have health insurance as part of their employment benefits — the highest share among all of the large metros analyzed, as well as one of the highest in the country.
As the capital of Silicon Valley and the ultimate tech hub, San Jose is home to more than 6,600 tech companies and checked the most professional tech opportunities out of all of the locations in our study at 148 per 1,000 jobs. And, with giant tech companies — like Adobe, Netflix, Cisco, eBay and PayPal — operating from here, it’s only natural that San Jose would take the lead in our ranking with great scores across the board.
Raleigh, NC – Total Points: 57
The second-best large metro for women in tech, Raleigh had one of the highest shares of female tech workers at almost one-third of the total tech job pool. Moreover, a high percentage (almost 65%) of female tech professionals in this metro benefit from health insurance, while the unemployment rate among female workers was one of the lowest in the country at less than 3%.
Notably, Raleigh is home to an increasing number of startups, as well as the Research Triangle Park — North Carolina’s premier global innovation center and the center of three top-tier universities, as well as a place where Apple has plans to expand.
San Francisco, CA – Total Points: 54.3
Known as one of the nation’s AI capitals, the San Francisco Bay Area has the largest concentration of leading tech companies in the U.S. with more than 387,000. Accordingly, this translates into one of the highest numbers of professional tech opportunities (74 per 1,000 jobs), which was one of the factors that boosted the Bay Area’s ranking.
However, what also made this metro stand out was the high earnings attributed to female tech workers at $138,000 per year — the second-highest out of all of the metros analyzed. At the same time, San Francisco also boasted a solid coworking space density with almost four per 100,000 residents, which makes it easy for workers from any field to find a flexible workspace close to their homes.
Washington, D.C. – Total Points: 52
The nation’s capital has an ever-growing startup ecosystem that also hosts satellite offices for tech industry giants like Google. And, with no better place to benefit from government support, many tech companies have made Washington, D.C. their home, thereby creating great opportunities for women in tech. This was seen through the high earnings attributed to female professionals with a median of more than $106,000 per year (the sixth-highest in the country), as well as the high percentage (64%) of female workers who benefit from health insurance.
Additionally, a high share (80 per 1,000 positions) of the jobs available in the nation’s capital are tech-related. Plus, Washington, D.C. is one of the top metros in the country with the most coworking spaces available for its workers with a total of 246, which makes remote, hybrid, or freelance work both easy and convenient.
Seattle, WA – Total Points: 51
Rounding out the top five best large metros for female tech workers is Seattle, a bustling tech hub known for the prominent presence of high-tech companies such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft or Expedia. With such big names in the mix, tech workers have great opportunities in the Seattle metro.
More precisely, 84 out of every 1,000 jobs are in the tech industry and the female tech earnings in this metro area are also on the higher end at more than $120,000 per year. In fact, Seattle came in third for this metric, behind only Silicon Valley and the Bay Area. An equally encouraging fact that drove Seattle’s ranking was that the area was recently named one of the best places to find professionals with highly valued tech skills, such as AI or cloud computing.
Health Insurance & Low Unemployment Rates Help Mid-Sized Metros Stand Out as Havens for Female Tech Workers
Durham, NC – Total Points: 66
In Durham, NC, women working in tech thrive amidst a vibrant ecosystem of innovation and opportunity. Specifically, with a high number of tech jobs per 1,000 positions and a low female unemployment rate of only 2%, Durham offers a supportive environment for women pursuing careers in technology. Of course, the presence of major tech giants — such as IBM, Verizon, Microsoft and Cisco — underscores the metro’s status as a hub for innovation.
What’s more, Durham was further bolstered by its coworking culture with 4.5 flex offices per 100,000 residents, which was the highest density among mid-sized metros. It’s also worth noting that Durham Tech College offers technical education programs tailored to women to provide them with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the tech industry.
Madison, WI – Total Points: 65
Women in the tech sector in Madison, WI, experience positive shifts and support. In particular, the significant increase of more than 54% in female tech earnings between 2018 and 2022 reflects a growing recognition of their contributions, as does the second-highest earnings recorded ($91,605 per year) among mid-sized metros.
Clearly, Madison ensures the well-being and stability of women in tech careers due to a high percentage of females having health insurance and a low female unemployment rate. At the same time, initiatives like Madison Women in Tech provide a supportive community and resources for women to thrive and advance in the tech sector.
Huntsville, AL – Total Points: 63
Referred to as “Rocket City” due to its prominence in aerospace industries, Huntsville has seen a surge in tech companies relocating to the area in recent years. With this influx, Huntsville is emerging as a potential competitor to Silicon Valley by offering ample opportunities for women to contribute and excel in the dynamic tech sector.
As such, female tech professionals in Huntsville are positioned for success in a thriving industry landscape. For instance, the metro boasted a high number of tech jobs per 1,000 jobs (80.7), which was the absolute highest share among all of the mid-sized metros analyzed. Plus, prices in the area give Huntsville salaries record purchasing power among similarly sized metros, making it an attractive destination for tech professionals.
Albany, NY – Total Points: 59
With more than 65% of female workers having health insurance (the fourth-highest percentage registered among mid-sized metros), Albany ensures the well-being and stability of its female professionals. Here, the health care sector is Albany’s biggest industry, offering ample opportunities for women to contribute their expertise in technology.
Meanwhile, coworking spaces are widely available in Albany for any remote, solo or hybrid professionals with 3.3 per 100,000 residents — the third-highest share in this population bracket.
Lansing, MI – Total Points: 56
In Lansing, MI, women are making remarkable strides in the tech industry, supported by a high percentage of female tech workers (more than 32%) out of the total tech workforce. And, with a strong emphasis on health care and technology, Lansing also boasted a high share (almost 66%) of females with health insurance to ensure their well-being and stability.
At the same time, Michigan’s ranking in the top 10 nationally for total STEM degree completions in 2019 highlights the state’s commitment to fostering a skilled workforce. Similarly, the fact that tech giants like Amazon, Microsoft and Google are investing in Michigan further solidifies Lansing’s position as a tech hub.
Leading Small Metros in the Midwest Offer Prime Prospects for Women in Tech Careers
In smaller metro areas, some locations registered very high scores and/or increases in their shares of female workers or the earning attributed to them. That said, it’s worth noting that these values have to do with the population sample, as well as, in some cases, the recent presence of large employers operating in industries like manufacturing or health care, which can have a tech component, too.
Boulder, CO – Total Points: 60
With 88.7 tech jobs per 1,000 job openings — the highest number registered among small metros — as well as the most coworking spaces per 100,000 residents in the entire country (7.9), Boulder stood out as the best small metro area for female tech workers.
Here again, the local presence of tech giants like Apple, Google, IBM and Oracle underscores the area’s status as a tech haven. Additionally, the region’s designation as a Quantum Tech Hub for quantum computing highlights its commitment to cutting-edge technology.
Springfield, IL – Total Points: 55
Leading the country with the highest percentage of female tech workers (39%) out of the total workforce and with a significant increase in their numbers registered between 2018 and 2022 (close to 60%), Springfield offers ample opportunities for women to excel in the tech sector.
Notably, workers in Springfield enjoy some of the lowest prices among smaller metros, and a vast majority of female workers also benefit from health insurance, making it an attractive destination for tech professionals. At the same time, the growing tech scene in Springfield is further bolstered by high-quality educational opportunities, including several universities and Midwest Technical Institute.
Sioux Falls, SD – Total Points: 54
Coming in third among small metros, Sioux Falls has plenty of opportunities for women to succeed in technology fields, including a notable percentage (35%) of female tech professionals out of the total workforce. Here, the significant growth of more than 80% in their salaries from 2018 to 2022 was yet another plus for female tech workers, as was the high probability of benefitting from health insurance in this area.
Additionally, Sioux Falls is a desirable location for tech workers due to its low female unemployment rate of only 2%, as well as its low prices. And, Sioux Falls’ reputation as a hub for innovation and progress is further cemented by the presence of tech giants like Google, IBM and Amazon. As a bonus, the city proper also has a record-low commute time.
Salisbury, MD – Total Points: 53
In Salisbury, the number of female tech professionals witnessed an impressive growth of more than 123% between 2018 and 2022 to place the metro among the top in the country in terms of female workers operating in tech (close to 35% of the total tech employees). Plus, the earnings attributed to women working in tech industries in this area have skyrocketed in the same period of time by a whopping 183%, now reaching the $100,000 yearly mark.
This positive trajectory highlights Salisbury’s commitment to fostering gender diversity and equity in the tech workforce, which helps empower women to contribute meaningfully to the industry’s growth and innovation.
Green Bay, WI – Total Points: 52
With a low female unemployment rate of just 2% and wallet-friendly prices in the area, Green Bay offers a conducive environment for women pursuing careers in technology. Of course, the presence of Amazon offices in the area further enhances the metro’s appeal as a hub for tech professionals.
Finally, the Richard J. Resch School of Engineering — part of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay’s College of Science, Engineering and Technology — provides women with access to high-quality education and resources to excel in the tech industry.
Methodology
- The 208 metros analyzed in this study were divided into three population brackets: large (over 1 million), mid-sized (between 500,000 and 1 million) and small (under 500,000). We excluded metros with a population below 200,000. Source: Census 2022
- We compared MSAs in their respective population group, not throughout the entire list, and we highlighted the top 5 best-performing ones in each population bracket.
For this report, we used a proprietary scoring system to synchronize the key metrics analyzed and then weighted them to reflect their significance in determining the top metros for women in tech:
- Share of female workers in tech jobs (15% weight in the total index) – Source: Census 2022
- Growth rate of the share of female workers in tech jobs from 2018 to 2022 (10% of the total index) – Source: Census 2022
- The median income attributed to women in tech jobs (15% of the total index) – Source: Census 2022
- The percentage change in the median income attributed to women in tech jobs from 2018 to 2022 (10% of the total index) – Census 2022
- The number of tech jobs per 1,000 jobs (15% of the total index) – Source: Census 2022. This includes occupational codes: 11-3021, 15-1211, 15-1212, 15-1221, 15-1231, 15-1232, 15-1241, 15-1244, 15-1251, 15-1299, 27-1024, 27-4032.
- Health insurance coverage rate – total female workforce (10% of the total index) – Source: Census 2022
- Female unemployment rate – Indirect – (10% of the total index) – Source: Census 2022
- Regional price parity – Indirect – (10% of the total index) – Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis 2022
- Coworking space density – Number of coworking spaces per 100,000 residents (5% of the total index) – Source: CoworkingCafe, December 2023.
Fair Use & Redistribution
We encourage and freely grant you permission to reuse, host or repost the images in this article. When doing so, we only ask that you kindly attribute the authors by linking to CoworkingCafe.com or this page so that your readers can learn more about this project, the research behind it and its methodology.
