Charlotte falls to No. 6 from No. 1 in Tech Town report – here’s why

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK – The Charlotte metro’s sparkle as a “Tech Town” dims a bit in the second annual review of tech cities from CompTIA, falling to No. 6 from No. 1. Here’s what the report says:

Charlotte market details from CompTIA report.

“Last year, Charlotte topped our list of Tech Towns. And while there are many reasons the metro area still comes in at no. 6 on our list this year, long-term job growth is one of the reasons why the CharlotteConcord-Gastonia metro area just misses the top 5. In 2018, the Charlotte area showed signs of an 11% job growth over the next 5 years. That number has slipped just a bit.

“While the tech industry is still growing here, the growth projection by 2024 is now 9%. But don’t let that fool you—this Tech Town is still putting its money where its mouth is.

“Recognized as a major banking hub, companies in Charlotte’s financial sector are redefining what it means to be a tech company. With lots of competition and open positions for developers, software engineers and data analysts, the metro area posted a total of 52,357 tech jobs in the past 12 months alone.

“On a separate measure, the number of IT jobs is expected to grow by 3% over the next year. Even with a slightly lower projected 5-year job growth rate compared to last year’s, the Charlotte market offers businesses a chance to evolve within a flourishing tech scene, and offers IT pros an opportunity to flex their entrepreneurial muscles while earning a median salary of $91,617 ($3,340 more than the US overall annually) in an area where the cost of living 2.5% lower than the national average.

“Transplants to the area frequently describe Charlotte as “manageable”— meaning the weather is more manageable than Florida, for example. And living expenses are more manageable than New York. More disposable income is a big win. In a town where finances rule all,
the numbers don’t lie—Charlotte continues to be a tech magnet.”