Alaska, Wyoming and Utah are named the best states to live in for those working in tech, according to a new review. The study assesses graduate salaries, the percentage of degrees awarded in tech fields and other areas.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in tech and computing are set to grow much faster than other fields between 2024 and 2034, with an estimated 317,700 openings being projected each year across America. The company TryHackMe has revealed the best and worst states to work in if you have a career in tech.
To determine the ranking, the company studied the following factors from College Scorecard per state and put them into an index:
- The average yearly cost of a tech degree
- The number of schools in each state offering tech courses
- The median earnings for tech graduates four years after graduating
- The median earnings of a tech graduate in comparison to the average graduate
- The percentage of tech graduates out of all graduates
The top 10 best states for pursuing a tech career
| Rank | State | Total score out of 10 | Average annual cost for a degree in a tech field | Number of schools offering tech courses | Median earnings for a graduate in the US after four years of graduating | Median earnings for a tech graduate in the US after four years of graduating | How much more can a tech graduate earn above the average graduate |
| 1 | Alaska | 7.31 | $12,982 | 9 | $31,197 | $76,773 | 146.1% |
| 2 | Wyoming | 7.02 | $10,537 | 10 | $40,050 | $60,313 | 50.6% |
| 3 | Utah | 6.89 | $16,387 | 63 | $29,635 | $74,702 | 152.1% |
| 4 | Kentucky | 6.25 | $14,657 | 87 | $31,450 | $49,798 | 58.3% |
| 5 | Maryland | 6.14 | $16,875 | 80 | $40,342 | $66,943 | 65.9% |
| 6 | Oklahoma | 5.84 | $12,241 | 102 | $32,833 | $55,039 | 67.6% |
| 7 | Montana | 5.72 | $12,787 | 29 | $33,919 | $58,204 | 71.6% |
| 8 | North Carolina | 5.40 | $14,073 | 174 | $35,484 | $59,303 | 67.1% |
| 9 | West Virginia | 5.32 | $10,511 | 70 | $30,807 | $53,683 | 74.3% |
| 10 | North Dakota | 5.14 | $12,912 | 27 | $41,201 | $69,663 | 69.1% |
As the table above confirms, Alaska is the best state for a tech career, scoring 7.31 out of 10. While all graduates earn a median of $31.197 four years after graduating, tech graduates earn a median of $76,773, which is 146.1% more than other graduates. In Alaska, there are nine schools offering tech courses, and the average cost is around $12,982 per year.
Wyoming ranks the second-best state for a tech career, scoring 7.02 out of 10. Tech students in Wyoming earn a median of $60,313 four years after graduating, which is 50.6% higher than all other graduates earning $40,050. With 10 schools offering tech courses, it would cost an average of $10,537 per year to study there.
Utah ranks third best, scoring 6.89 out of 10, there are 63 schools offering tech courses. Tuition in Utah is slightly higher, at an average of $16,387. Tech graduates earn a median of $74,702 four years after graduating, compared to all other graduates who earn $29,635, which is 152.1% more.
Kentucky is the fourth-best state for studying tech, scoring 6.25 out of 10. Tech graduates earn a median of $49,798 four years after graduating, compared to a median salary of $31,450 earned by all other graduates. A tech career in Kentucky would get you a 58.3% higher salary than the average. With 87 schools on offer, yearly tuition costs an average of $14,657.
In fifth place is Maryland, scoring 6.14 out of 10. Maryland has 80 schools offering tech courses, and yearly tuition is an average of $16,875. A tech salary after four years of graduating in Maryland is a median of $66,943 while the median salary for all other graduates is $40,342 – 65.9% higher.
Oklahoma ranks sixth, scoring 5.84 out of 10. The state offers relatively low tuition costs, averaging $12,241 per year, across 102 schools offering tech courses. Four years after graduating, tech students earn a median salary of $55,039, compared to $32,833 for graduates overall – meaning tech graduates earn 67.6% more than the average.
Montana places seventh, with a score of 5.72 out of 10. There are 29 schools offering tech courses in the state, with average annual tuition of $12,787. Tech graduates earn a median of $58,204 four years after graduating, compared to $33,919 for all graduates, giving those in tech a 71.6% earnings advantage.
Next is North Carolina, scoring 5.40 out of 10. The state has 174 institutions offering tech-related courses – one of the highest totals in the ranking – with average tuition costs of $14,073 per year. Tech graduates earn a median of $59,303 after four years, compared to $35,484 for graduates overall, a 67.1% difference.
West Virginia comes ninth, with a score of 5.32 out of 10. The state offers some of the lowest tuition costs in the study, averaging $10,511 per year, across 70 schools offering tech courses. Four years after graduating, tech students earn a median of $53,683, compared to $30,807 for all graduates – 74.3% higher than the average.
North Dakota rounds out the top ten, scoring 5.14 out of 10. With 27 schools offering tech courses and average annual tuition of $12,912, the state provides an affordable route into the sector. Tech graduates earn a median of $69,663 four years after graduating, compared to $41,201 for graduates overall, a 69.1% increase.
The worst state for studying in tech is Rhode Island, scoring 1.04 out of 10. The annual tuition is an average of $26,628, which is the highest across America. But tech students earn a median of $67,325 four years after studying, which is still 52% higher than all other graduates who earn $44,287.
