From Worst To First: Here’s How Each State Ranks For Finding Tech Talent In 2021

September 20, 2021, 10:00 AM EDT

Looking for highly skilled technology workers? CRN’s annual Best States project ranks all 50 states for finding and hiring technology employees.

No. 38: Alabama (No. 44 in 2020)

Workforce Experience and Education Rank: 46

State Employment and Economy Rank: 20

Tech Industry Employment: 148,657

Tech Worker Average Salary: $86,720

Alabama is No. 48 among all states with tech jobs accounting for only 11.3 percent of the total workforce.

Tech GDP/GRP, nevertheless, accounts for 7.1 percent of total GDP/GRC, ranking the Yellowhammer State No. 26.

Much of that is concentrated in Huntsville, which is listed at No. 4 on CompTIA’s list of “cybermetros” (behind San Jose, Seattle and San Francisco) because tech accounts for 27 percent of the local economy.

Learn More: Marketing Matters | SMB-Midmarket Opportunities

Rick Whiting

Rick Whiting has been with CRN since 2006 and is currently a feature/special projects editor. Whiting manages a number of CRN’s signature annual editorial projects including Channel Chiefs, Partner Program Guide, Big Data 100, Emerging Vendors, Tech Innovators and Products of the Year. He also covers the Big Data beat for CRN. He can be reached at rwhiting@thechannelcompany.com.